OHIO MOTHER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS DAUGHTER AFTER SHE CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE TO SURPRISE HER

[emmaverybo]

69. Until we know more, it is premature to call the mother paranoid or a gun-nut. I do think this

incident points out the need for every gun owner to go through safety training. My daughter tried to convince my mother to have a hand-gun in the house for self-protection. Mom went through instruction in use and safety. She decided against it. I arranged a rescue dog adoption for her.

The police say one should have layers of protection and that deterrence works. For instance, security lights set off by motion, good locks, a dog (not to fight an intruder) but to alarm, alarm systems, and a place to call police from, like a locked room.

They also point out that even when a civilian has instruction and practice, actual shooting conditions (darkness, the angle from which you have to shoot, innocents in the way, panic) can lead to accidents and/or render the gun useless. Civilians simply do not get practice in all the conditions they might be shooting in. Even police and military make mistakes—not counting intentional shootings.

There are many reasons people might need and want a hand-gun or rifle without their wanting arsenals or assault weapons, being unduly paranoid or nuts.

Focusing on sound regulation and licensing requirements for owners such as safety instruction, background checks, passing tests seems like a better bet to make America safer than calling out all gun owners.