Should a teenager be allowed to buy an AR-15?

Another school massacre, more funerals, more candlelight vigils and more debate over gun rights and gun control.

What happened a week ago at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was heartbreaking and tragic and the grieving continues today as the final funerals are held for the high school students and faculty gunned down by a former student with an AR-15.

Before I go any further, allow me to explain that I am not against the Second Amendment. I believe Americans have the legal right to own and possess guns. But I believe purchasing and having those guns comes with a great deal of responsibility and certain types of weapons should only be possessed by law enforcement or the military.

It has been reported the 19-year-old gunman purchased the weapon legally. The legal background checks were performed when he purchased the gun. The gun purchase was made legally, but should a teenager be allowed to buy such a weapon?

We have laws in this country for the legal age to drive a vehicle, to vote and drink alcohol, but very few for legally purchasing a firearm.

I know a lot of kids who grew up learning the proper way to use a firearm and the responsibility that comes with it. Most learned from their father and grandfather to shoot while hunting. Most of those weapons used for hunting rabbits, squirrel and deer are much different than a teenager going into a gun shop and buying an AR-15.

I believe it is time that some gun restrictions are placed on the purchase of assault-style weapons, namely an age restriction. If a 19-year-old can’t legally buy beer, they shouldn’t be legally allowed to purchase an assault weapon unless they are in a branch of military service.

While there are handgun laws, 28 states have no minimum age requirement for owning a rifle or shotgun, including Mississippi.

The Republican controlled Florida legislature is expected to take up legislation that includes raising the age to purchase any firearm to 21, creating a waiting period for purchasing any type of firearm, banning bump stocks that can allow semi-automatic guns to spray bullets quickly and creating gun-violence restraining orders.

I agree that an age restriction will not solve the issue of someone determined to cause a mass shooting like the one last week, or in Las Vegas and in a church in Texas last year. Evil people do evil things and some people with mental illness are capable of doing unthinkable acts. But we need to start some place.

I also don’t believe it’s a good idea to ask our teachers to become adequately trained and arm themselves to protect our children, but I do believe schools should increase their budgets to hire more school resource officers. There are not enough measures in the world to protect students from such mayhem.

Rob Sigler is editor of The Vicksburg Post. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.

SportsPlus

News

Mississippi’s longest-serving mayor announces cancer diagnosis

News

One person killed in pickup truck wreck with side-by-side on Mississippi highway

News

NFL player from Mississippi mourns loss of 1-year-old daughter who was ‘source of light’ filled with joy

News

Mississippi man found guilty of trafficking firearms from Magnolia State to Chicago

News

Mississippi man charged with attempted murder in Florida after reportedly firing a gun while intoxicated

News

Mississippi officials concerned for missing woman last seen getting into Jeep Monday

News

State auditor suggests Mississippi schools could save state more than $130 million with these five primary reforms

News

Man in who barricaded himself in Mississippi residence in custody after tense standoff

News

Man arrested in Arkansas for reportedly luring, kidnapping missing Mississippi teen

News

Mississippi man whol led officers on high-speed chase pleads guilty to illegal possession of machine gun

News

Mississippi eyeglass manufacturer’s $12.45 million expansion to add 188 jobs to state workforce

News

77-year-old Mississippi arrested after reportedly selling property that had already been sold

News

Mississippi man charged with 10 counts of indecent exposure after park bench incident after festival

News

Mississippi authorities investigate after car reported stolen 15 years ago found submerged in reservoir

News

Husband charged with murder after Mississippi woman found dead in crashed car

News

Mississippi authorities seeking missing teen, family concerned for his safety

News

Fight over ice in Mississippi convenience store escalates into deadly shooting. Was the homicide justifiable?

News

Mississippi woman found dead after she crashed car into building

News

Former Mississippi police officer accused of using Snapchat to lure children sentenced on child exploitation charges

News

Police: 45-year-old male found dead in Mississippi residence; large number of rounds fired inside house

News

Wife riding on back of motorcycle with husband killed in tragic accident on Mississippi interstate

News

Mississippi man sentenced after pleading guilty to kidnapping

News

18-year-old arrested in connection with Mississippi hotel shooting, robbery

News

Mississippi man wanted after he allegedly attacked mother with cast iron skillet