Buena Park Teen Slain

Re “Teen Slain After Theft of Plastic Pumpkin; Man Held,” Oct. 20: My heart goes out to the family of the teenage boy killed while stealing a Halloween pumpkin from a front lawn. My heart also goes out to the family of the man who shot the boy. I won’t get into the gun issue, although this incident illustrates why easy access to guns, even in the hands of law-abiding citizens, is dangerous. I would like to ask parents to use this tragedy as an opportunity to remind our children, especially those in the teenage years, that “pranks” can be dangerous. Even deadly. What the teenage boys were doing was stealing. Calling the theft of Halloween decorations a “prank” is like saying stealing a car is only “borrowing” if you use the car a few days and then leave it abandoned.

Because there are so many guns out there, and because people, even good people, can “lose it” in a fit of anger, we must remind our children to avoid situations they see as a “prank,” yet someone else sees as a threat to life or property. And if confronted in the act, the only smart response is an apology and an offer of restitution. This simple lesson may save a kid’s life.

KELLY D. DAVIS

Huntington Beach

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Charlton Heston and the National Rifle Assn. should be very proud. Another good, law-abiding citizen, Pete Tavita Solomona of Buena Park, has used a handgun to defend his private property against thieves. So 17-year-old Brandon Ketsdever is dead, shot in the head. Pete says it was an accident. I say he took aim and pulled the trigger with deliberate intent to kill; accidentally shooting a neighbor’s beloved son in the head is difficult to do. What do you think, Charlton?

The message will go out loud and clear to all playful teenagers that good citizens will not stand idly by while their pumpkins are stolen--and right out of their front yard!

Remember also that we have a candidate for president (George W.) who wants every good, law-abiding citizen like Pete to have a concealed weapon to protect against evil pumpkin stealers. He is the front-runner for the job.

Wake up, America.

ROBERT W. LOVELL

Huntington Beach