Firepower in Young Hands

Just as a national study was released Monday in which American city and police officials reported a steep drop in teenage violence, the shooting spree of a boy in West Paducah, Ky., reminded us all that deadly weapons still remain within easy reach of most young Americans.

The 35 members of the weekly prayer circle at Heath High School had just lowered their hands after the last prayer when, according to police, freshman Michael Carneal, 14, stepped out from a group of students, pulled a .22-caliber handgun from his backpack and fired, killing three and wounding five.

Acquaintances of Carneal said he had occasionally been teased by some of the older students in the prayer group. In another era, Carneal probably would have responded with words, perhaps sticks and stones. But the youngster had managed to carry into school not only the handgun but three spare clips of ammunition, two rifles and two shotguns.

Most troubling, perhaps, is the utter befuddlement of students and school officials when asked why Carneal did it. Students saw him “as a jokester,” said the Rev. Kevin McCallon, who ministered to shooting witnesses and victims’ families. “They did not perceive him as a threat. Even when he pulled the gun, they thought it was a toy.” Not so long ago, a toy handgun was the only kind you could find in the hands of a 14-year-old boy.