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Teens Say Firearms are Easy to Find

September 1st, 2008, blog post by kmcomer

Today, on the same day most children in Western Washington headed out for their first day of school, the Seattle P-I ran a story detailing the ease with which our young people can gain access to firearms.  How is it possible that we have arrived at a point at which our young people find it easier to buy a firearm than a car?

We have laws on the books requiring background checks and minimum age to purchase, but:

  • Firearms are often stored carelessly or not stored at all.  The King County Department of Health found that in King County alone over 19,000 households store their firearms unlocked and loaded.  It is a great deal easier for a burglar to get his or her hands on a firearm when the firearm is out unhindered for them to grab.

  • Background checks are only required when purchasing a gun from a licensed federal dealer.  Firearms can be purchased LEGALLY without a background check through private sales or at gun shows (as long as the seller does not reasonably suspect that the individual is prohibited from possessiong a firearm).


Do we want our children going to school knowing that firearms might be traded between periods like books?  When is it time to say in unison enough is enough?

We must do more to encourage the safe storage of firearms, strengthen our laws, and give law enforcement the tools they need to solve the problem of firearm violence - and firearms trafficking.

We must also do more to support our youth.  They are growing up in the communities and embodying the values they have inherited from us.  We must be better role models and educators.  If we ourselves cannot  solve problems without violence, or live with compassion, how can we expect our young people to do so?