Students are leaders, again

High school students leading marches in the streets reminded us that while adults have failed to stop school shootings, perhaps this new generation can.

In the wake of the tragic Parkland, Fla., shooting they have re-energized a discussion about gun control in the U.S. - which has only 4.4 percent of the world’s population, yet accounts for 42 percent of the world’s guns and roughly 31 percent of the world’s mass shootings.

Demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and other cities - including Sandpoint and Spokane - called for tougher laws against military-style weapons and ammunition, reminding us of the student protests in the 1960s that helped bring about the end of the Vietnam War.

Surveys show that roughly 90 percent of Americans agree on common-sense gun solutions. The students plan to make gun reform the central issue for young voters in the mid-term elections this year. Already, the Parkland students earn credit for inspiring the first significant piece of gun legislation to come out of the Florida Legislature in at least 20 years.

In their fight against the gun lobby, which controls so many legislators’ votes, the students’ cry of “Vote them out” may very well succeed.

James W. Ramsey

Sandpoint