Zero-Tolerance, or Zero-Common Sense?

NOTE: The following is OPINION. It is the Point of View of the author, and he alone is responsible for the content therein

Some things should never go as far as they do. The following is a perfect demonstration of the lack of ‘Common Sense’ prevalent among many in positions of responsibility in our nation, and certainly demonstrates Overreaction.

Have ya heard about this?

A seventh-grade student in Virginia Beach, Va., has been suspended from school for playing with an Airsoft gun with a friend in his front yard while waiting for the school bus.

13-year-old Khalid Caraballo may be expelled for ‘Possession, handling and use of a firearm’ because the Airsoft guns were fired at two others playing in Caraballo's yard.

A neighbor saw Khalid shooting the Airsoft gun in his yard and called 911, telling the dispatcher, "He is pointing the gun, and it looks like there's a target in a tree in his front yard."

Dunno how to break this to ya, but an Airsoft gun is NOT, repeat, NOT a ‘Firearm.’ It fires a 6mm plastic pellet and uses no explosive/combustible propellant to do so.

Overreaction? You bet, particularly when the nosey neighbor, with nothing better to do than raise a ruckus, obviously knew the ‘firearms’ in question were nothing more than Airsoft guns.

Khalid, who just so happens to be a star student, claims he never took the toy gun to the bus stop or school. Two other students who fired the Airsoft guns were also suspended.

In a letter, the school principal stated that the "children were firing pellet guns at each other, and at people near the bus stop." He then states in the letter that one child "was only 10 feet from the bus stop, and ran from the shots being fired, but was still hit."

The school's so-called ‘Zero-tolerance’ policy on guns extends to private property, according to the report.

Tell me exactly why the school, which most likely doesn’t get involved with anything else the students do while at home, has the authority to interfere with what is obviously a case of ‘Boys being boys.’

Khalid's mother said it's ridiculous that her son and his friends were suspended, because they were firing the Airsoft gun on private property.

"My son is my private property. He does not become the school's property until he goes to the bus stop, gets on the bus, and goes to school," she said.

Khalid thinks the punishment is unfair and may hurt his chances of getting into a good college after graduating from high school.

"It's on my school record. The school said I had possession of a firearm. They aren't going to ask me any questions. They are going to think it was a real gun, and I was trying to hurt someone," he said.

One factor in this incident that everyone is shying away from is the fact that Khalid is Black.

Hmm. Could that have had something to do with the nosey neighbor calling 911?

Things like this should never go as far as they do. A group of young boys playing on private property with Airsoft guns are no different than kids playing ‘Army’ just like when I was a child (Yes, we did things like that during the Paleozoic Era).

There is something inherent about boys playing in such a manner. It’s just a part of the male DNA. No, I don’t think the boys in question had any intent to harm anyone. No, I don’t think that Khalid is going to be another Adam Lanza.

The male of the species has natural aggressive tendencies, which is why the male is considered to be the ‘Hunter/Gatherer.’ Play such as that Khalid and his friends were engaged in is a healthy release of those aggressive tendencies. Better to have them pop each other with Airsofts rather than a .357 magnum, doncha think?

Imagine if it had been slingshots. You ever see what those can do?

Airsoft clubs exist all over this country, and are enjoyed by many. In fact, I routinely participate myself. Yes, a pellet hitting exposed skin can sting a touch, but it sure ain’t as bad as when a Paintball pellet hits ya. Talk about a sting.

Okay, I can honestly understand the concern over seeing several young boys running around with what appear to be actual firearms. We all know that many Airsofts look exactly like the ‘real deal.’ But it was obvious from the play that these were not actual firearms but toys.  

And yes, maybe the boys were being just a tad reckless, but seriously, were they actually a bona-fide threat to anyone?

Incidentally, all of the kids involved were wearing eye protection. That’s actually demonstrating a pretty good degree of responsibility, and certainly safety.

Are we becoming so paranoid, so fearful, so untrusting of each other that we feel the need to call the Behavior Police every single time a young child engages in this type of play?

Yes, an Airsoft should be handled in the same manner as an actual firearm. The same rules of Safety apply. But Khalid is only guilty of engaging in a little pre-school time, male-type play with his friends, on Private Property, and certainly does not deserve expulsion.

The school principal is guilty of not using Common Sense, and the nosey neighbor of Overreaction.

This is one that I really would like to hear your opinions on. I’ve given mine, please give yours, especially if you disagree.

Let’s let Kids be Kids, and not punish them for doing that which comes natural.

Si vis Pacem, Para Bellum