I was appalled when I saw the photo (TNT, 3-15) of the makeshift memorial at the gas station for the 3-year-old who accidentally shot himself. Stuck in the fence was a toy gun. I cannot fathom why anyone would think that appropriate.
My children were never allowed to own toy guns. They weren’t allowed to imitate or pretend to shoot one. Why? Because guns are not toys.
We are by no means anti-gun. We believed when they could understand the serious responsibility, our children would first learn proper gun ownership. They are adults now with a knowledgeable, healthy respect for firearms.