Kendrick Wilson

School violence is a tragedy when it happens, and it's happening all too often today. Schools across the country are having problems with students bringing guns to class, and school shootings are no longer the rare tragedies they once were. Right here in Tucson, students are caught bringing guns to class, confirming the worst fears of many that school shootings are a very real possibility in Tucson. In fact, universities are not immune to violence either, as evidenced by shootings that take place from time to time on college campuses.

Few would argue that school shootings are good, and almost no one would like to see our schools become more violent. The means of achieving less violence is far more controversial.

Under current Arizona law, it's only a misdemeanor to carry a gun onto a school or university campus. Little more can be done to offenders than a diminutive fine ÷ Basically just a slap on the wrist. The resulting message to students: bringing guns to school is against the law, but isn't something we take seriously.

It is, however, a federal felony to carry a gun onto a school campus (although not university campuses). Regrettably, offenders are not easily prosecuted under the federal law, and states where it is also a state felony can nearly double the length of sentences. This sends yet another lamentable message to students: If you plan to bring a gun to school, do it in Arizona, not other states.

State Representative Marion Pickens (D-Tucson) is trying to change that. She introduced a bill this year that would have made it a state felony to carry a gun onto a school campus, with the ultimate intent of including the state's university campuses as well.

"Making it a felony would make prosecution more likely. A misdemeanor is likely to bring nothing more than a fine. We need to toughen up the law so everyone knows we are taking guns at schools seriously," Pickens explained.

Miraculously, while conservatives tend to proudly endorse tough punishment for those convicted of breaking the law, punishing offenders of gun laws is unpalatable to many of them. Pardon my rant, but if it's already against the law, and school violence is the monumental problem it repeatedly proves itself to be, what could possibly be wrong with toughening sentences for bringing guns to school?

Leave it to Todd Rathner of the National Rifle Association to explain why. "There's no reason to have redundancy in the law. Anyone who would commit a federal felony is not going to suddenly pay attention because there's some new state law," he preached during an interview with Tucson's KVOA Channel 4 News.

Perhaps some will not be deterred, but the prospect of 10 years in jail versus 30 years just might make a difference. If nothing else, is it not beneficial for us to quit advertising how soft we are on gun offenders? We may as well put up signs at our border with California announcing: "Arizona, the Grand Canyon State is one of the best states to bring a gun to school ÷ we promise you'll get off easy!"

Sadly, the gun lobby's scare tactics, which included flooding Pickens' office with hundreds of letters and e-mails, worked. The bill did not even get a hearing. It seems the paranoia of a vocal minority was put ahead of the safety of our children. But it was more than just the e-mails that stopped the bill.

Representative Randy Graf (R-Tucson) is known as the most ardent opponent of gun safety legislation in the entire state legislature. He happens to sit on the Education Committee and blocked the bill's passage.

"I remember when we were trying to pass restrictions dealing with child care, making sure guns were locked up and kept away from children, he (Graf) was unbelievable. He carried on like we were trying to take away every right he ever had," Pickens recalled.

Graf is running for reelection this year. UA students and faculty on Tucson's east side would do well to elect Democrats Bob Schwartz and Mike Langmead, thus ousting Graf along with his extreme views that do not represent mainstream Tucson (voters must elect two candidates for State Representative).

To the disappointment of many, Pickens will be retiring this year and is not seeking another elected office. While she does not begrudge legitimate gun owners their right to keep their arms, she hopes someone will pick up the torch in her fight to protect our children.

"I believe people should be able to own and use guns. I just think we need safety legislation to keep our kids and our families safe."