WE MUST TEACH OUR KIDS ABOUT DANGERS OF GUNS

The Jackson Public Schools recently faced a potentially deadly situation - a sixth grader brought a gun and bullets to school. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But that doesn't mean the incident should soon be forgotten. This episode provides a chance for both school officials and parents to talk openly with kids about the dangers of guns.

Whether we like it or not, the number of guns is growing in our society - both for sport and personal protection. Kids are smarter than we sometimes give them credit when it comes to finding hidden drawers or boxes. Simply putting guns up high is not good enough. Adults must do all they can to make sure guns in the home are unloaded, and locked away from little hands.

An 11-year-old from rural Jackson brought her mother's .25 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and a clip containing several live bullets to West Lane Elementary. School officials said the girl pointed the weapon - which may or may have not been loaded at the time - at another sixth grader. The girl has been charged in juvenile court with flourishing a deadly weapon. She has been suspended for the rest of the year, and will complete the sixth grade at home under the direction of a school district instructor.

The school district has taken steps to develop a plan for any future incidents. Since it had never happened before, staff were somewhat unprepared. But preventing "the next time" can't be left to our schools alone.

As a parent of three children, Jackson Board of Education President Darrell Hanschen said he used the incident to talk with his kids, and urged other parents to do the same. It's good advice.

He advised his kids that if they ever saw anything that might be harmful to themselves or other students, they should tell a teacher immediately. As difficult as it might be, children need to get over the idea that it's ratting or telling on someone. Their alertness might save a life.

Most of the time when a child shoots another, it is an accident. But the scars will not only stay with students who witness such a tragedy, but will haunt the reckless shooter. As adults or parents, we must try to help children understand the consequences of guns at school.

The Jackson School District is not unique in facing this problem. A similar incident was reported in Cape Girardeau in recent years, and such incidents occur with growing frequency in larger districts. The problems of our society often are mirrored in our schools. But school yards are no place for guns. It's a lesson that both parents and educators must teach our children well.