weapon of war - not for 18 year old students

An 18 year old in the military will not need to go into a gun show or store to buy one. A person in the military will be shown how to put one together and how to kill with it. That is necessary for combat.

As a teacher I spent lots and lots of time talking with students. Many times assisting them in mediating disputes.

When I was 18 my state went to a drinking age of 18. When I was in my 20s they changed it back to 21 because too many died or were permanently injured in road accidents. In Florida you can buy an AR-15 at 18 but not a beer.

Not every 18 year old is ready for the responsibility of owning a gun. I have seen a change in children in my 25 plus years of teaching. This is not an issue of how they were raised but many times it is due to a delay in emotional maturation where there is a lag of 4 or 5 years. The age of 21 would help a lot. I listen to many people that have children/grandchildren with fetal alcohol syndrome, bi-polar disorder, depression, etc. Add to the mix drugs, physical and sexual abuse, and the child self-medicating to relieve these issues. There is a tendency to no longer have a wrestling match or fist fight but to use weapons due to fear, anger or isolation.

Me I worry, I worry a lot. I would rather have a great kid NOT get a weapon at 18 but at 21 rather than an emotionally young kid make a mistake that will do harm forever to himself and others.

Those are all valid points in regards to emotional maturity, but that sounds like some sort of huge culture shift that, if the pattern holds, is quite degenerative. That seems like that is the issue rather than further legislating firearms. After all, with firearms come inherent responsibility, the same with operating a motor vehicle, which is still 16. I honestly think it is a parenting issue or a home life issue. I have a 13 year old (middle of 3 kids) that I would have no problem with handling and operating any of my firearms or any of my vehicles. We reap what we sow.

Thanks so much for responding. Been typing and erasing and typing and erasing. I have worked with so many kids, teens, adults, and older adults. Some brilliant, some not, some with minor disabilities, some that if I can get them to see me, really see me, I will see them suddenly focus on my eyes and I know for that moment in time they are aware and that we occupy the same space and time. I really want kids to have a chance to grow up, I really want a few more years until they are 21 to not make dumb choices. I have lost students due to car accidents. I really hate it when I lose one because they have fallen through the cracks. I just really want them to all have a chance to make those wonderful mistakes that they will learn from. I just never want them to be the one at the end of the barrel or the one pulling the trigger. I bet you are great with your kids. Thanks again so much for writing.

I have to disagree with you

i.imgflip.com/25pygr.jpg

Thanks so much!!!!! I kept trying over and over and over again to get this right. I really appreciate your help!!! I even looked for help on line - thought I had it but as you could clearly see it was a huge fail. Thanks again! :-)

No problem. It took me a long time to figure it out and I found an old meme on this site that explained it that way. I figured out a much easier way if you are on a computer:
1. Right click on the meme.
2. In the menu left click "copy image address"
3. Right click in the comment box where you want to use the memes as a comment.
4. Click paste then post comment.
5. I have only used this method in Chrome so I don't know about other browsers. It only works on memes. If you want to use a GIF as a comment you have to use the BBC code method.

It worked! It Worked! Thanks so very much!

Got to go plug in out low battery