In the age bracket of 10 to 19 years, guns are the second leading cause of deaths, after automobile accidents, in America. Of the 5751 deaths in 1993, 3661 were homicides while 1460 were suicides. One American in that age group dies every 92 minutes regardless of cause, and for every child killed, four are injured. Between 1996 and 1997, 6000 school children were expelled for bringing guns to school.

In April 1999, two boys in Littleton, Colorado went on a rampage at Columbine High School where 12 students and a teacher were killed. Almost 20 other students were hurt during this incident. They turned the guns on themselves after the shooting was over. The

It is apparent that this random violence has fostered a need to predict and control. However, profiling is a technique that is better suited to FBI investigations, not schools. It is absurd to believe that targeting a potential problem child is a useful way of preventing future incidents because it is harmful to label individual students simply because they fit a specific profile.

One might imagine that after all these unnecessary deaths, gun laws would be revised to ensure guns are kept out of the hands of children. In America, the Brady Law states that anyone under 21 cannot legally purchase handguns from licensed dealers. There is, however, a loophole whereby 18 to 21-year-olds can purchase handguns from private or unlicensed dealers. The Columbine High shooters purchased guns at gun shows with the help of an 18-year-old friend. Child Prevention Laws have been passed in 17 states, making gun owners legally responsible if children access their loaded weapons to hurt himself or herself or someone else.

Most handguns today have

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