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EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ryan Frank
EDITORIAL EDITORS
KameronCole
Stefanie Knowlton
Loaded and locked
Taking on the responsibility of gun ownership
means being aware of the dangers
f a proposed gun control bill averts
Political rallies are eerily similar to
JL high school pep rallies. That is, they
are typically marked by people of dubious
sincerity tossing upbeat sentiment to a
pumped-up crowd.
And like high school pep rallies, politi
cal rallies rarely produce anything of con
sequence.
Last Tuesday’s gun control rally, a hot
issue both locally and nationally, was dif
ferent.
At the rally, Gov. John Kitzhaber an
nounced a proposal that represents gen
uine proactivity in the area of gun control.
Senate Bill 317 would hold adult gun
owners to a higher standard of account
ability by holding them criminally liable
when their unlocked guns are used by mi
nors to commit crimes.
This liability is not limited to situations
where someone is injured or killed. It also
applies when a minor possesses the gun
in a public place or exhibits it in a care
less, angry or threatening manner. Viola
tors found guilty of unlawful storage of a
firearm would be subject to up to five
years in prison and/ora $100,000 fine.
It’s likely that there will be significant
challenges to Kitzhaber’s proposal. The
measure is actually very specific in its
wording.
If passed, the law would protect gun
owners from prosecution if their guns
were used by a child in self-defense or if
even one tragedy, it’s worth it.
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the weapon was securely stored away or outfitted
with a trigger lock.
This bill will not end the problem of youth vio
lence. It is doubtful that any government legisla
tion, state or federal, could do that. But what the
measure does do is acknowledge that there are
layers of responsibility beyond who pulls the
trigger.
The entire issue actually seems like a no-brainer.
It’s fine to have a gun, but if you leave that gun
unlocked in a place where a child can get to it,
the least you deserve is some time behind bars.
If that child uses your gun to kill, injure or
threaten another person, then part of that is on
your head.
Taking on the responsibility of gun ownership
means being aware of the negative consequences
that may result from that. It also means taking
steps to ensure that those possible consequences
don’t come to pass.
In 1997, 26 minors were killed by firearms.
Most of those guns were stored insecurely with
ammunition and most were wielded by other
children. While this may not be a particularly
jarring statistic, it stands as proof that there is a
need for this kind of legislation.
Keeping a gun away from a child who is un
stable or even just curious is a relatively simple
task. If it takes an act of government and the
threat of prison to get people to take these steps,
then so be it.
This editorial represents the opinion of the Emerald
editorial board. Responses may he sent to ode@ore
gon.uoregon.edu.
Letters to the Editor
Greek tragedy
I am greek. What do you think? I
know what you think. I think it, too. I
have come to a harsh realization.
They’re right, all those people with
their stereotypes, labels and discrimi
nations. As a greek member, I would
like to vocalize the frustrations from
within the system. It only takes a few to
ruin it for the majority. Understand that
many of us, in many different fraterni
ties and sororities, do not like the label
we have received from the minority.
Upon returning on a bus from a greek
function, I wrote down many thoughts
and would like to share a few of my
frustrations.
As I sit in a yellow train of cowards
and a meat market of high school, I
wonder if I am right. Should I yell?
What approach would be efficient? My
voice, small and affecting minimal ani
mals, has gained support from no one
tonight. Shall I continue, or close the
mouth that has made me who I am? A
product of society, beasts of insecuri
ties, we try to gather all the fruit and
share with no one. Like children, we
want. Hold our hands and take us to the
land of irresponsibility, the oasis of lust,
Rennie’s. Let us suck from the nipple of
college and slowly debit our experi
ences. I have tried and will try no more,
listening to the whines of the hopeless
and degrading body of greeks. A dimin
ished word, a petty degrading label suf
focating those involved. I want off the
Twinkie of lust, the meat market of
young, away from the games of popu
larity. It is time to leave high school by
the wayside. Am I a geek, a loser? Let
me off the bus. I know what I want and
will stand alone. Ride the bus without
me.
Chad Wright
Spanish/Business
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Thumbs
To dining plea
sure:
In an effort to re
lieve overcrowd
ing, the Carson
Dining Hall has
extended its din
ing hours by 30
minutes.
To the Oregon
Supreme Court:
The court visited
the law school on
Wednesday, pro
viding students
and the commu
nity with the
chance to get up
close and person
al with the legal
system.
To the loss of an
Americas boro:
Joe DiMaggio,
1914-1999.
To hate crimes:
The recent murder
of a gay student In
Alabama recalls
Matthew Shepard.
LETTERS POLICY
The Oregon Da
ly Emerald will at
tempt to print all
letters containing
comments on top
ics of interest to the
University commu
nity. Letters must
be limited to 250
words. The Emer
ald reserves the
right to edit any let
ter for length, clari
ty, grammar, style
and libel. Letters
may be dropped off
at EMU Suite 300.