Letter: BHS students can indeed fear for their lives

Posted 4/27/18

To the editor:

As a member of the RI Coalition against Gun Violence, I am compelled to respond to Mr. Michael Panasuik’s letter that appeared in the Barrington Times on April 24, 2018.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Letter: BHS students can indeed fear for their lives

Posted

To the editor:

As a member of the RI Coalition against Gun Violence, I am compelled to respond to Mr. Michael Panasuik’s letter that appeared in the Barrington Times on April 24, 2018.

Mr. Panasuik writes that handguns are used in most gun homicides rather than rifles. This may be true, but just because assault-style rifles have not been used (yet) in any mass-shootings in Rhode Island does not mean that we should have them sitting around our civilian homes. 

These have been the weapons of choice in mass shootings. Summarizing, “The Case for Gun Policy Reforms in America,” published by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research in Oct. 2012, reasonable gun safety laws along with enforceability and oversight help reduce gun violence. In Australia the government swiftly responded to a 1996 mass shooting (Point Arthur, Tasmania) by enacting a strict, “National Firearms Agreement.” Since then there have been no such further tragedies there. (1)  

Pseudo-assault rifles are designed to play into the macho, movie screen image fighter heroes which have infiltrated our daily lives through videos, film and television. Assault-style weapons are not necessary for hunting. At a gun shop recently, I asked a young man who admittedly owns three assault rifles why he had them.  His reply was that he was defending himself against our, “tyrannical government” and that he needed to be ready when they came for him.

I may not agree, but if some insist that lay citizens own these military weapons, they should be held to the same strict oversight as any handgun (including FBI fingerprint/background checks, training requirements, minimum age restrictions not unlike age-based alcohol consumption/possession laws). Laws should include strict storage and safety requirements, as required of a military soldier. 

Common sense gun laws ensure that Rhode Island remains one of the country’s safer states: our laws are among the best in the nation, with room for improvement.

Not having laws because, “criminals do not follow laws,” is an illogical, senseless argument. By this argument, we would not have laws barring assault or rape. Fortunately, we live in a civil society and as such are governed by rights and laws that protect our freedoms as long as they do not infringe on the safety of others. 

Obviously, we can change the world. Change has facilitated advances in civil rights and equal rights. The process of negotiating change is how the constitution and its amendments were imagined and ratified. They can and should also be re-visited to reflect our changing society and technological advances.

Yes, students should continue to come together in unity as they did in recent marches at the Rhode Island Statehouse — and all over this country. It is apparent that students care a great deal about each other and about these issues, and are able to work together to effect change. Soon these students will be able to vote and run for office. 

For the record, a Barrington High School student can indeed fear for her/his life. As the father of two high school students, I have witnessed this fear firsthand. It is not something a father should have to see. 

Numerous studies indicate that school security is not enhanced by arming teachers nor by creating bunkers out of our schools. (2), (3), (4) A vigilant resource officer may be a solid start.  

We need to help students focus on their intellectual and social development and not worry about the nearest hiding place or escape route.

Boris Bally

Providence

(1) "Gun laws stopped mass shootings in Australia—new research" March 12, 2018. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-gun-laws-mass-australianew.html

 (2) U.S. Department of Education, et.al, “Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans, 2012. https://rems.ed.gov/docs/REMS_k-12_Guide_508.pdf

(3) NASRO, “NASRO Opposes Arming Teachers,” Feb. 22, 2018. https://nasro.org/news/press-releases/nasro-opposes-arming-teachers/

(4) Patterson, B. “America’s Police Chiefs Call BS on Arming Teachers,” Mother Jones, March 8, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/police-chiefs-call-bullshit-on-arming-teachers-sandy-hook-parkland-columbine/

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.