I regret I have no direct comment regarding the parent story other than to express sympathy. But as a U.S. resident I couldn't tell you how many times I have wa

I regret I have no direct comment regarding the parent story other than to express sympathy. But as a U.S. resident I couldn't tell you how many times I have walked past my neighbors' blood on the sidewalk, heard gunshots at night, lived in buildings with bullet damage, or been in situation where I suspected a gun might end my life. My experiences should not be possible, yet they continue. "The Small Arms Survey stated that U.S. civilians alone account for 393 million held firearms. This amounts to "120.5 firearms for every 100 residents."[0] --mildly upsetting story but it's relevant to my subsequent comment-- When I was 10 years old I would ride my BMX bike into a large vacant lot that had abandon cars that were stripped, riddled with bullet holes, and/or hollowed out by fire. But there were also small dirt mounds that were fun to jump. I paused to watch some kids do jumps when I noticed an angelic looking boy my age pointing a revolver at my head about 15 feet from me. I could tell the hammer was pulled back and I tried to keep calm by telling myself it was a toy. We did not break eye contact and ~8 seconds into the staring contest I felt my face involuntarily twist into a blend of defenseless smile and tortured expression. That's when he pulled the trigger and the heavy hammer strike sounded confirming it was not a toy. His focused expression then changed into that special satisfied grin unique to sadists and we both resumed looking at the other BMX riders as if nothing had happened. I don't think his friends noticed the incidence or would have cared if they did. I saw this repeatedly growing up where angelic looking kids commit crimes with impunity. I didn't have that look so I knew if I were ever to say something no one would believe me and perhaps I'd be the one in trouble. You also don't appreciate events like this as a child since everything is normal to child. -- At the risk of down votes, the U.S. should come to terms that the ship has sailed regarding meaningful gun control given there are more guns than people. We should teach gun safety practices including hands on training as early as possible in schools. Perhaps by demystifying guns the boy in my story above would have reminded his parents to lock-up there gun, know to treat all guns as loaded, and the criminal penalties his family could face. Perhaps one of his friends would have also have stopped him if we could change the culture. As a reminder children are curious. Do not ever give your sweet looking child the benefit of the doubt when it comes to firearms. Later today I will ride my dirt bike in there nearby hills where again there are abandoned burned out bullet ridden vehicles, so the above story isn't just in my distant past. [0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_ownership https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_ownership