Minnesota Representative Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) has an idea.  Let’s put guns in schools, so that we can defend our kids from armed attacks.

I don’t doubt that Representative Cornish’s intentions are pure.  I really don’t.   We all want to come up with ways to prevent future Newtown-like tragedies, and the answers aren’t easy.

But when emotions are running high, it’s always important to beware of the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Over the years, a lot of people have had a similar idea:  “Let’s put guns in our homes, so that we can defend our loved ones from attacks.”  Before we pass Cornish’s bill, it makes sense to check in on how that whole “let’s arm our homes” idea is going for us.

Research shows us that for every one time a gun in a home is used to injure or kill in self-defense, a gun in a home is used…

• 11 times in a completed and attempted suicide;
• 7 times in a criminal assault or homicide; and
• 4 times in an unintentional shooting death or injury.

Might we be concerned about similar unintended consequences if we put guns in schools?

Loveland