Another responsible dog owner: Boy dies after pit bull attack in Wisconsin

[beemer27]

58. I feel sorrow for the child.

These dogs were never properly trained, and the owner should not have had them. This is a sad situation.
Your comparing the Pit Bulls to guns is a valid comparison. A well trained Pit, owned by a responsible owner, is a valued companion to be treasured. They are loyal, smart, and excellent companions. In the hands of an idiot, they can be vicious killers. Few of them end up this way, but there are enough that do, that people must be educated about responsible ownership. The same can be said about firearms. In the hands of responsible citizens, they are a source of many pleasurable afternoons spent at the range, a useful tool for harvesting game animals, a rewarding hobby, and as a last resort, a tool that can be used to protect your loved ones.
There probably is a means to test a persons responsibility and common sense. I don't know of any myself. I wish that I did. Such a test would be an ideal tool to decide who among us can be trusted with firearms, and Pit Bulls. If anyone does know of such a test, please let us know. In the meantime, banning specific breeds because of their appearance makes as much sense as banning certain firearms because of their appearance.