https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/georgia-clayton-county-teens-police-video/index.html
Read the whole story. It's actually sad and good at the same time.
The sad part - to me - is that gun safety and gun use is so vilified in the news media, especially inner cities. These kids obviously wanted to "play" with their BB gun. It almost led to tragedy. Thankfully it didn't.
Rapper TI is quoted in reaction to the story: "They have white boys, they got real rifles they go hunting, every day, every week with their grandparents and parents. They aren't being held at gunpoint."
Ok, noted. Pretty good point, but I think people like
Eagles DE Trent Cole might take issue with that blanket generalization.
But let's not dismiss that point from TI. Let's pull the thread a bit. He said that for a reason, and there is some truth to it. My hunch is that it's probably more of an urban/rural divide, than a racial divide, thinking from Trent Cole's perspective.
Why not create a program where hunters, pro athletes, the NRA, gun safety advocates, the hunting industry (Cabela's, Ruger, etc.), after-school care advocates, parents, police, etc. come together to give inner city and suburban kids (of all races) the opportunity to learn how to shoot bows, crossbows, shotguns, and rifles safely at some wooded range either after school or on weekends? There could be other activities, too, such as canoeing, hiking, or rock climbing. Yes, it will cost money. Yes, it contains risk, just like go-kart racing and horseback riding are a risk. And I know some people will call me crazy for suggesting we train children to shoot guns safely. We teach them to drive cars safely, though, don't we? The point is to perhaps give them 1) a legal and safe outlet to explore their curiosity, 2) a healthy and knowledgeable respect for firearm safety, and 3) access to mentors and other role models to broaden their perspectives and increase awareness.