American Gun Violence

Last week, the news was full of images from the Oregon Umpqua Community College mass shooting. Nine people died and many more were injured. Everyone bemoaned gun violence in the United States. It was all very sad.

This morning, there is a small story on BBC

US boy, 11, held for shooting dead eight-year-old neighbour

An 11 year old boy wanted to see the puppy of an 8 year old girl who lived nearby. The two children went to the same school and the boy had a history of bullying the girl. The girl refused to show the boy her puppy. He pulled out his father's 12 gauge shotgun and killed her.

Everyone bemoans mass shootings, and with good reason. But child gun violence is far and away the most effective argument for gun control. There is a saying in the gun-friendly States that guns don't kill people, people kill people. But that argument is meaningless when faced with child gun violence.

So far this year, in the United States,

559 children under the age of 11 have been killed or injured by guns
2010 children aged 12-17 have been killed or injured by guns

The victims, and perpetrators, are far too young. In 2013 - a three year old and a 10 month old were briefly left in a vehicle unattended outside the family home. The 3 year old found a handgun in the vehicle and shot the 10 month old in the face. Another victim.

We know the issues. We know the questions that are raised. Unfortunately, the American people seem unable to answer those questions in a meaningful way that stops the slaughter of its children.