This story isn’t just a one-off case of bad parenting. It points to a much larger issue in America’s relationship with guns, a problem that has persisted for decades. America has a long and troubling history with guns, particularly when it comes to access. As of 2020, the U.S. had more guns than people, with an estimated 400 million firearms in circulation compared to a population of around 330 million. This culture of gun ownership is deeply embedded, especially in states with looser gun laws, like Georgia.
The numbers are staggering. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were over 600 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022 alone, averaging almost two a day. School shootings are also far too common. Since the infamous Columbine High School shooting in 1999, there have been hundreds of school shootings, resulting in the loss of countless innocent lives. Despite this, meaningful changes to gun laws remain difficult to pass.
The case of Colt Gray is a chilling reminder of how dangerous it can be when guns are easily accessible, especially to those who should never have them. How did this happen? Journalist John Harwood expressed the disbelief many feel about this situation in a tweet:
“So the father of GA school shooter bought his 14-year-old the AR-15 style weapon as a Christmas gift – AFTER law enforcement had interviewed the family during investigation of online school shooting threats. My God if that’s not a crime it ought to be.”
so the father of GA school shooter bought his 14-year-old the AR-15 style weapon as a Christmas gift – AFTER law enforcement had interviewed the family during investigation of online school shooting threats
my God if that’s not a crime it ought to be https://t.co/PnWtqnZBK3
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 5, 2024
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He makes a valid point. How could a father, after being questioned by the FBI, think it was wise to gift his son such a weapon? More importantly, how is this not considered a crime? Colt’s father ignored clear warning signs, and the consequences were deadly.
In states like Georgia, where gun rights are heavily protected, it’s not uncommon for parents to give their children firearms. However, when you combine this with a lack of mental health checks or accountability, it creates a recipe for disaster.
Sadly, incidents like this aren’t isolated. The U.S. is the only developed country that experiences this level of gun violence, especially in schools. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, firearm-related deaths became the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, surpassing even car accidents. This is a grim statistic that speaks to the urgent need for change.
But change has been slow, largely due to the influence of the gun lobby and politicians who resist any form of gun control. The Republican Party, in particular, has long championed the right to bear arms, even when it comes at the expense of public safety. They argue that guns are necessary for protection, yet incidents like the one involving Colt Gray show that, in the wrong hands, guns do far more harm than good.
Another user on Twitter, Jumbo Elliott, summed it up bluntly:
“No matter the gun involved if a parent has the warnings and law enforcement involvement they have had… lock them up.”
No matter the gun involved if a parent has the warnings and law enforcement involvement they have had and/or a schools involvement then lock them up.
15 year minimum 25 year sentences. I’m pro gun ownership.— Jumbo Elliott (@JumboElliott76) September 5, 2024
America’s gun culture is out of control, and the refusal to enact common-sense gun laws is costing lives. The tragedy at Colt Gray’s school is just one example, but sadly, it won’t be the last. Until real action is taken, the cycle of gun violence will continue. Schools will remain battlegrounds, and families will keep losing loved ones.
Featured image via Screengrab
