We have often written editorials in support of more gun control regulation, including banning assault weapons. Earlier this year we wrote in support of the conviction on four counts of involuntary manslaughter of Mrs. Jennifer Crumbley, mother of Ethan Crumbley, who killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021. Her husband was also convicted in a separate trial. They were the first parents of a school shooter held criminally liable for their child's actions. At that time, we were pleased that if we could not secure more gun regulation because of partisan resistance, at least the zone of criminal responsibility would widen to include holding parents criminally responsible if the facts demonstrate negligence or aiding and abetting heinous acts by juveniles.

Another school shooting has happened. A fourteen year old boy, supposedly the youngest perpetrator so far, killed two teachers and two fellow students with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle at Apalachee High School in Georgia. He was charged as an adult with four counts of felony murder. And this time the response by authorities as to who was responsible besides the shooter was swift. Thirty six hours after the atrocity, Georgia officials charged the perpetrator's father, Colin Gray, with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of felony murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The alacrity is profound since Georgia does not have strict firearms laws and harbors a strong pro-gun culture. According to authorities, the charges stem from Colin Gray's "knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon." Under Georgia law, minors are prohibited from possessing handguns, but there is no minimum age with respect to possessing a rifle or shotgun.