Gun safety has been a popular topic of conversation with recent news about gun violence. With the many mass shootings in the past month and the news of a six year old boy shooting his school teacher the emphasis on gun safety especially for children and teens has become a topic of concern.

In the past year, WEE1 Tactical, a gun manufacturer, has come out with a kids version of a real AR 15. A smaller semi automatic “scaled down” as ERic Schmid (owner of Schmid Tool described) assault rifle with twenty two millimeter bullets, made out of polymer, and weighing 2.2 pounds, produced to help kids learn the importance of gun safety. It is a “youth training rifle” that “looks, feels, and operates just like Mom and Dad’s gun.” said Schmid Tool and WEE1 Tactical.

“It’s about a 20 percent reduction in size, so it fits the kids really well and that will give them the confidence to hold this thing the way they should have confidence holding this thing,” Said Eric Schmid (Washington Post)

The marketing of this gun is specifically geared toward children. The original marketing included cartoon skulls with mohawks and ponytails and pacifiers in their mouths. The JR-15 made its first appearance last January at a gun show in vegas.

Hunting used to be a common hobby among American families but is now fading as the years go on, so why give guns to kids?

Typically an average family who feels it is important to teach their child to operate a gun would start with a single shot gun or possibly a pistol. A semi automatic assault rifle strikes concern with more than a few audiences, including democratic lawmakers like Nancy Pelosi. Lawmakers asked the Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation into the marketing of the jr 15. “The law says you shouldn’t be marketing guns to kids,” Charles E. Schumer, Senate Majority Leader said.

Lawmakers are concerned that producing guns marketed towards children will create a dangerous pathway by putting lethal weapons in the hands of children. Children are still maturing physically and psychologically, so why would we put weapons that can cause death in the hands of children who cannot comprehend the ramifications of their actions. Especially, if we are restricting driving, drinking, and drugs to them.

So why not restrict the most dangerous of them all?

“What [these guns] mean quite honestly is far more than here’s some family hobby kind of thing,” Webster said. “What they mean is power — the power to kill. You give out a highly lethal weapon that is very easy for them to shoot. It could set the stage for bad outcomes.” Said Daniel Webster, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he leads the Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy. (Washington Post)

The public is concerned that allowing kids access to weapons similar to that of a JR-15 will set the stage for them to use their knowledge of the weapon to hurt others. For teenagers and young children, gun violence is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, firearms killed more children and teens than car accidents for the first time. (washington post)

The gun received immediate backlash after its launch, “Vile” California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted. Later, Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker) pointed out the “sickening” advertising of the gun. “Here is an advertisement for a JR-15, designed to be a so-called ‘smaller, safer, lighter version’ of the horrific AR-15, which has been used to murder so many of their playmates and friends,” Pelosi said. “Look at these little skulls with ponytails.”

My personal concern as a teenager and a member of a family who are gun owners, is the safety of not only the children being familiar with these guns but the people around them and the improper use of firearms. “I would not give my kid one, because we dont shoot with a gun like that. I simply don’t see the use for one of those. Cause there’s no real world application for that, unless the child is an adult.” “I feel that the second amendment gives the right to bear arms against the threats of their government but I don’t think that’s a kids problem. That’s something adults should worry about, not kids. I think kids need to go through gun safety courses and grow up if they want to use a gun of that magnitude. My biggest concern is giving kids tools that can make their irrational glimpse of the moment decisions permanent.” Father Tom Cassidy Said.

I think gun safety laws need to be a greater priority. I think every American deserves the right to bear arms, but at the age of adulthood, even then there needs to be more restrictions. It’s too easy for kids to get access to their parents firearms, and we see the implications of that on the news with recent school shootings. I understand the idea of the gun (JR-15) but I don’t think it needs to be that great of a weapon. There isn’t a proper way to create a weapon for kids. Yes, teaching gun safety it’s necessary but don’t give a kid a gun that is perfectly made for them, that seems irresponsible. Teenager Gibby Bryant said.

As we continue to go through the years, it should be brought to the attention of our lawmakers that our laws need to change as well. We know more about gun safety now more than ever. Therefore, we should make it a priority to ensure safety for our citizens and protect their rights.