Many teenagers are not aware of the severity of having a BB gun (ballistic gun) in their possession. The use of this gun is responsible for suicides, murders, and animal torture. So should our legislators regulate carrying and usage of this firearm, should we make them register it and try to keep it out of the hands of teens?
Recently, a young man was made a pawn by his associates. They held up a man who was essentially intoxicated. They used a bb gun to threaten and terrorize the victim. The boy that went along to participate in the crime they passed him the weapon, a BB gun. Ignorance of the law and the fact there had been at least three hundred murders in his community, made law makers attitude that if any kind of gun is used to threaten, harm, or kill someone they would definitely be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That included a bb gun and the teenager.
While the young man was in detention he thought it would be a simple matter, the police would have his mother come and get him because he is only thirteen. That did not occur; in fact they processed him and put in a juvenile home. He cried like a baby. He was told that in two weeks he would go before a judge, he was angry, he continued to bawl. While confined in Juvenile hall he had other kids that hasseled him because unlike this young it was not their first offense. He had plenty of family support to be there for him but the law was unyielding; they too, had to wait for the wheels of justice to turn.
When his court date arrives the man who presses charges against him did not show up, but we knew that he had three chances to appear before the judge. He is returned to the juvenile home and given chores to do and other tasks. He did not realize the scope of what could happen to him, by just having a bb gun, and being with youths who have a record of robbing and terrorizing citizens. The other individuals were of age that could be prosecuted as an adult. While he was in this home the detectives had several other cases that match the same modem of operation (MO). They wanted to pin these crimes on him too. He really was scared and he expresses this. “If I get out of this I am going to school and they won’t ever have to worry about me anymore.” He said.
When he returned to court they dropped the case because again, the victim did not appear. They decided not to pursue the matter any further. This young man could not believe that he was going home; in fact he asked the judge was he really free to go, and the judge said “yes young man.” When I interviewed him I asked him what his plans were now that he was free. “I am going to school and stay out of trouble.” I really believe that he learned his lesson. He is really doing well in school now I am glad to say.
We as parents need to warn our children that they have to choose wisely the kind of friends they hang out with. I think that there should be a course in school teaching young adults about the law and its impact on them. One of the things young people are not aware of until the find themselves in whole lot of trouble is that the law affects them. Many who are incarcerated learn about the law in jail because they have too. Let’s educate our children about the law and see if it makes a difference.
