When young people are reckless enough to fire guns at a school bus stop — with no regard for the kids standing there — it's more than a police problem. It's a community crisis. It's a failure of parents.
Police can make arrests. But if violent teenagers are released right back onto the street, the cycle keeps repeating. Lawmakers need to treat these as adult crimes. Judges need to make sure sentences stick. Teenagers need to know that being a minor will not get them out of the consequences if they pull a trigger. Because carrying a gun and pulling the trigger are adult choices and should have adult consequences.
But let's be clear: Accountability alone isn't enough. When a teen takes aim and kills a mother holding her child's hand, society has already failed. Parents, families, schools and churches need to step in long before we get to this point. We need mentors. We need opportunities that pull kids away from gangs and guns before they ever fire a shot.
This is about balance: tough consequences when kids choose violence and strong support from all of us to stop them from choosing it in the first place.
If our children can't stand safely at a bus stop, then we've failed the most basic responsibility of a community.
Call us with your thoughts or solutions.
I'm Bill Lamb, and that's my Point of View.
