Enough already

I have listened to Americans make pro-gun ownership arguments for almost 10 years now. That it's a right, that learning about gun safety leads to fewer accidents, that it's a skill like tennis or knitting. I have nodded and smiled and deferred to their cultural proclivities.

I can't imagine who thinks it's a good idea to put loaded projectile-launching devices into the hands of elected officials. From a PR standpoint, it's a complete nightmare.

Never mind that 9 people under the age of 19 were killed by guns every day in 2000, forget about statistics. What this weekend's incident proves is that accidents happen when people use guns, regardless of the shooter's age, experience or proximity to Secret Service Agents, and people get hurt. It hardly seems worth it.

And, on a lighter note, the Young Activist penned alternate lyrics to Aerosmith's classic Janie's got a Gun:

Cheney's got a gun, Cheney's got a gun
His whole world's come undone, From lookin' straight at the sun ...