Where should we draw the line??

Now, some of you may or may not know what is going on here in the US concerning gun control, and I would take the time to explain it all, but well, that can be for another blog. (lol) Personally, I don't have a problem with the government asking that there be complete background checks and mental health checks done on people wanting to buy a gun...I think that all makes total sense, personally that is. I know, I know, it won't stop criminals from getting guns, but please, let us all be realistic here...NOTHING is going to stop a criminal from getting a gun if he/she wants to get one. I think that if you think any different on that one, then you are just delusional. (MY opinion.)

Some people say that we should let our teachers carry weapons, some say that we should have a police officer or two...or three in every school, some think that our bus drivers should be armed....my question is: Where should we draw the line? I know everyone who thinks the above has good intentions and are afraid for the children and well, for everyone! I am just not sure where I truly stand on those points. Yesterday, in Illinois, a school principal popped off two shots from a starter pistol so the students and staff would know what the sound of a gun sounded like and could possibly get to safety faster should there be an issue....some students heard it, some did not ....so, did he really accomplish the goal he set to?

I remember when I was a kid, my parents didn't walk me to the bus stop, they didn't have the worry that I wouldn't make it down the street. They didn't worry about if there was going to be a crazed man out there taking kids hostage from their school bus. I know, I know, the world is a very different place now, but still....Every morning when my daughter heads out down the street to her bus stop, I stand and watch her and I have constant open communication with her to make sure she has arrived safely; and every morning while I am watching her walk to her bus stop I cannot help but think how sad it is that I feel compelled to watch her walk all the way of not even 2 blocks. Will I stop watching? No, probbly not. I cannot even help but think that there may come a day when I stop letting her walk to the bus stop alone, that I either start driving her down there to drop her off or that I just start taking her to school myself, bypassing all the worry. But, does the worry really stop once I know she is at school safe and sound? No, it does not. I try not to dwell on the negative, as I believe we get back what we put out there and well, that is just not something I want coming back on me, but I cannot help every now and again to wonder just how safe she really is inside her school.

A couple of months ago her school was put on lock down for more than half the day due to an altercation, with a gun, taking place outside of her school. Was I notified? No, not at all. If my daughter had not mentioned it to us, we never would have known. BUT, the school can send me a recorded message to my phone reminding me about a school dance or family fun night....now, that I believe is just plain ignorant.

So, again, I ask...where do we draw the line? Is it when I decide to home school her? Is it when it is a norm to have school teachers qualify with a weapon to be able to do their job? Is it when we let our bus drivers carry a side arm and then we sit and worry about one of the students getting a hair up their arses and taking that weapon away from the old man driving the bus? I wish I could answer this question, I really do, but I will not lie to you....we have been talking more and more about home schooling. Is it something that our daughter really wants to do? No, and I hate the thought of pushing her to do something that will not make her happy...but then again, would it just be the one thing that saves her life? So many questions and so many variables...too many in fact. My mind starts spinning just writing this blog.

I know this has been a rather long blog, but I just had to get it off my mind before it exploded. Thank you for being my sounding board.

The Steel Workers Wife