Letters from the Switched on "TEENS AND GUNS" issue

Dear SwitchdOn,
I go to a really big High School where there are no
metal detectors at the entrance. I am scared that
what is happening at some high school shootings will
happen at my school. What can I do to help prevent
another tragedy?
Signed,
Emily

Dear Emily,
The school shootings that are taking place across the
country are a tragedy. There is not one thing that
someone can do to stop the shootings. Having metal
detectors at school may help prevent guns from
entering, but there are other things that you can do
at your school to help prevent another incident.
Maybe form a club that promotes gun safety,
anti-violence. Create forums where people can talk
about issues that are troubling them, or post posters
with hotline numbers they can call if they are
troubled. 1-800-RUNAWAY is one of the many hotlines
where you can talk anonymously about problems that you
are facing and they can find you the help you need.
Signed,
SwitchedOn

Dear SwitchedOn,
I have a friend who keeps talking about getting a gun.
He only wants one so that people think that he's
tough and are scared of him. I think it's a bad idea,
I want to tell him not to, but I am not sure how to do
that.
Signed, Jay

Dear Jay,
Thanks for being a concerned friend. Unfortunately
guns are becoming increasing easier to illegally
obtain, and your friend may not have trouble getting
one. So before he goes through with it, you should
have a talk with him. Let him know that you think it's
a bad idea and explain why. First, if he gets caught
with a gun he could get kicked out of school and
arrested. Second, he could hurt himself or someone
innocent if the gun accidentally went off. Let him
know that you don't think you would want to hang out
with him anymore knowing he had a gun.
Perhaps show him an article from the paper about an
accidental gun shooting, or a picture of someone from
a gun accident. Sometimes when you actually see the
effect of gun violence it can seem a lot more real.
Signed,
SwitchedOn

Dear SwithcedOn,
I live in a house where guns are always present. My
father and two brothers are avid hunters and keep all
their guns displayed in cases throughout our house.
Although they are locked away, they have always made
me nervous. One of my brothers has a major temper and
sometimes I worry that he may get a gun out when he is
mad. I can't wait to move out and live in a place
where there are no guns.
Signed,
Elliana

Dear Elliana,
It can be hard living in a place where you may not
always agree with what's going on around you. But
because for now you live at home, you should have a
say in your safety. Talk with your parents about how
you feel and perhaps suggest to them that they lock
the guns away in a place that is not in plain view and
can only be opened by your father and no one else.
Hopefully they will be reasonable with you. If not keep
up the protest, eventually they may cave
in.
Signed,
SwitchedOn