Current Event Dorsett
Sydney
Ellis
Feb. 21, 2013
1st
Period
“To Reduce
Suicide Rates, New Focus Turns To Guns.”
NY Times
Feb. 13,
2013
Who: Youth
of America
What:
Trying to reduce suicide in the U.S.
Where:
Dayton, Wyoming
When:
Winter
How:
Trying to stop / lower the suicide rate by teenagers in the U.S. Craig Reichert
came home one day and found his son dead on the floor. There was a pistol lying
under his knee. He called 911 but it was too late, his son was already ice
cold. Guns were a big part of Kameron’s (the son) family. They are tradition
and carry many memories. His parents were very upset to find out that he used a
gun to kill himself. The deaths by which people kill themselves with guns are
much higher than any other. In 2010, 20,000 of the 30,000 deaths by guns were
suicides. The suicide rate in America has increased by 12% since 2003. Suicide
is now the 3rd major cause of death for America’s teenagers. 85% of
suicidal acts with guns are fatal. Temporary acts of rage or despair cause
people to try to commit suicide. It doesn’t even work most of the time. Wyoming, Montana and Alaska are the three
states with the highest suicide rates. They are also the states that own the
most guns. Some health officials are trying to talk families into keeping their
guns put up or locked away so teenagers and troubled relatives can’t get to
them. It’s not working very well because of the national gun control. That’s making
gun owners against it. In Missouri, Wyoming and North Carolina, the health
departments are handing out gun locks. In New Hampshire, some gun shops are
putting up signs about keeping them away from teenagers and your loved ones.
Kameron was a football player. He had no history of depression and adoring
parents. Kameron also had a job after school. He would buy packs of gum so he
could give it to the girls at school. If you needed a ride, he’d help you out.
One night he was caught with a part of cigars by the police. They had a new
colleague so he was searched and told incorrectly about his parents paying to
fine. His parents punished him.
Summary:
U.S. is trying to stop teenagers from committing suicide. Suicides are account
for more than half of the deaths in the U.S. I think that if the officers had
told Kameron correctly, he would still be alive today. Also think that the
officers should be fired.
As a teacher, some would say that we should be against carrying guns, but in today's society, others fight for this choice. I believe that in comparison that it is our right, just as much as anyone else to protect ourselves, but there should be stipulations as to how ANYONE possesses a gun!
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