The week 2 narrative about #OxfordHigh is starting to form, led by gun advocates and partisans, amplified by “wise” commentary from those who want you to believe they aren’t part of first groups. It is that we should worry about criminalizing bad parenting. Don’t take the bait.1/
The fact this case is one of first impression in a school shooting case suggests that the law is actually pretty tolerant of shitty parenting. And it is. And should be. The schools liability is different; not excusable, but not the same. Two teachers acted responsibly. 2/
This case against the parents is different. The facts are well known and they shock the conscience. No gun law violations have been filed since Michigan law does not require safety locks and the dad bought the gun in his own name. This is not about gun ownership. 3/
It is about responsible gun ownership and a reasonableness standard. And I think if it becomes about ownership the horror of what actually happened will get lost. 4/
I welcome this case. I think it provides an opportunity, outside the pro vs anti gun restriction efforts (I’m the former), to begin to set a floor of reasonableness for those who have guns in their home and how they allow those guns to be utilized. 5/
It is not about criminalizing bad parenting. You’ll hear that it is, loudly, soon enough. It will move the debate to the wrong place. But we don’t need to take the bait. Remember those who died: other parent’s children. It is about those parents too. 6/6
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