Fact: gun violence in Canada is not as bad as it is in the states. Stricter laws make it harder (but not impossible) to get a gun here. It’s also not a social norm to own a gun in Canada whereas it’s common practice in some American states.
Reality: Canada is not immune from gun violence
I took my son to LEGOLAND Toronto on Friday for their grand opening. When we arrived, we were welcomed by chaos and teenagers who were franticly trying to figure out how the cash register worked (or in our case, why they weren’t working). To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. Even though we were the second people in line, we still had a long wait. Almost 15 minutes (maybe even 20… I stopped checking after the “incident”).
There was a lot of confusion while we waited in line, shuffling people back and forth between cash registers. At one point myself and the lady in front of me were mistakenly asked to move to a line that wasn’t actually open. When we moved back another lady and her son (approximately 10 to 13 years old) had moved in front of us. When we asked the lady and her son if we can get back in front of them in line since a mistake was made, she didn’t mind. However, her son DID MIND!!
As soon as he was sent back into line, he began going off on the following rant:
I wish I had a gun. It’s times like this where I wish I had a gun. A gun would be good. This is why I always say it’s good to have a gun. A gun would solve all of my problems…
Honestly, all I heard was “gun, gun, gun”. I was so outraged. I gave him a stern look and just before I was going to let him know what I thought of his rant, I stopped myself. He was there with his mom, and I strongly believe that it’s his parents’ responsibility to educate him and discipline him. Not a stranger. But to be honest, I regret my decision because his mom did little when she heard what her son was saying. She just told him to be quiet and whispered something to him. If this was my son, I’d drag his ass right back in the car and take him home. I wouldn’t just “hush” him!! I’m so outraged just thinking about it. I’m not sure if I’m more upset by the kid’s words or by his mother’s actions.
I understand getting upset about waiting in line for an excessive time. I am Israeli after all, and we DON’T do lines. I was getting frustrated too; but to justify the use of guns for a long wait time? I would never even fathom such a thought. My 2.5 year old son was more well behaved than this kid, and he’s a toddler!!!
I can’t believe after all the recent horrors we’ve experienced both close at home in Toronto and across the border I witnessed a young kid talking about guns in such a way – a way to solve his problems.
I’m still in shock and very frustrated at what I had witnessed. What if that kid did have a gun on him? Would the incident have turned into something more violent and real? I can’t even imagine that reality, but it’s something that we should. We’re obviously not immune to gun violence just because we live in Canada.
Please parents, if you ever hear your child talking about gun or violence in such a way, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE (I beg of you), talk to them about what they’re saying and what it means. Show them the reality of gun violence and the horrors that little children recently faced in Newtown. Show them and provide them with different ways to take out their aggravations. Don’t just stand by and ignore them. It could even be a cry for help.
Parents – what would you have done? Would you have spoken up and given that child a piece of your mind hearing him say what he did?
* I know I’m opening up a can of warms here, and that gun violence is not just about one’s family life or government regulations. I know it’s also about mental illness and several other factors. I’m more curious about how other parents would have reacted if they heard someone’s kid talk like this with their parent around.
I would have been inclined to say something, although, like yourself, I likely would have kept silent. I often wish I had the nerve to speak to children who behave poorly (or say inappropriate things) in public, especially if my children are there to observe or hear it. The thing is, you never know what kind of altercation you’ll get into with the child’s parent (assuming they are there). If the child was alone, I would have been more likely to say something. I believe, like you, that it’s a parent responsibility to handle these situations. Unfortunately, not enough parents take this kind of thing seriously. Or they are too embarrassed to draw more attention to the situation by speaking to their child about the inappropriateness of their comments/actions in public. It’s sad really.
I can see why you might not want to make a big deal in public as to embarrass your child. BUT, she didn’t even pull him aside or take him home (which I would have done). it makes me crazy just thinking about iy. how can any mom be okay with this kind of behaviour from their child.
I know what you mean.