Gun Deaths of Children

When I saw our son Evan’s picture with “Gun Deaths of Children Rise” (Aug. 20), my first thought was that “I didn’t think this is what I would be seeing you in the paper for, Evan,” as my throat choked up. Evan was bound to be acknowledged for great achievements scholastically, athletically and musically, because he was already excelling above his level.

It was very disturbing to read the remarks represented by the National Rifle Assn. in citing the Women Against Gun Violence as making an “emotional appeal” for new restrictions on gun ownership. Our son was not murdered because of poverty and unemployment. It was because of the easy access to assault weapons.

The ravages of violence and the proliferation of assault weapons in our communities in our youth’s hands are taking a tremendous toll on our children. Each incident that occurs kills all of our children little by little. It kills their dreams and hopes for their future. Evan was shot in his right eye and the center of his forehead. The physical damage caused by those bullets speaks to the spiritual damage to our nation’s youth. With each incident that occurs our children’s vision for themselves perishes. If we don’t seek God and all come together for the answer of getting weapons out of young people’s hands and replacing them with tools to create a viable future, our children will perish in their souls and lives.

Our baby son, Alec, was struck in his left eye and the right side of his nose by bullet fragments. The community was outraged by this incident and responded immediately by holding a candlelight vigil, going door to door seeking the perpetrators and witnesses. Witnesses spoke up. The city offered a reward. The group that the perpetrators belonged to reported information, money and a vehicle were donated to our family, and excellent care has been given to Alec. He sustained irreparable damage to the center of his cornea and to his lens, thus they had to be removed. He had a “buttonhole” cornea transplant and wears a temporary contact lens. The prognosis is very optimistic that he will see well again. Evan was his brother’s keeper to the end.

We must choose to be “keeper” of our children.

RHONDA FOSTER

Inglewood