Too many guns, too easily available, and to many hands that don't know how to or misuse them.

We could say that they are all criminals and that criminals always have weapons, but most of those weapons are sold through illegal channels while being acquired from legal ones and not followed on repurchase or they are stolen in burglaries from good thinking but ill advised homeowners determined to "protect" what is theirs by hero shootout (just like in the movies and on TV).

If we could eliminate the hopelessness and poverty of parts of the racially housing segregated Chicago communities, it would go along way to reducing this kind of violence.

In the meantime, almost uncounted, countless kids across America are accidentally shooting family members and friends, or worse, committing suicide with the family gun kept there to keep violence out of the house. "But I locked it up!" The grieving parent cries.

Ron

I lived in NYC as a teenager in the late 60's when crime and violence was way up. When I moved to Miami to attend college it was paradise vs. hell. I never wanted to go back to NYC live and I guess I never will. Your poem clearly spells out why a bad ass city is not a good place to live and raise a family. Life there can be dark and crazy! Good write!

You bring memories of living in that city for a while. I felt I was back at my place hearing and seeing all you have offered in your so real poem.

Love ya!

Jane