Losing rights is wrong

Last week a 72-year-old man was arrested for making terrorist threats. Not to competent adults, but to innocent elementary students.

Joseph Pasillas, whose home backs up against Hawaiian Gardens Elementary School, threatened students Wednesday and then was seen Thursday in his home carrying a shotgun.

In this age of increasing cries for gun control, how is it that people such as Pasillas can have weapons in their homes? Why is it that no one realized Pasillas could threaten children?

It is not clear why he made the threats, but should a man of questionable reason and rational be allowed to purchase a home so close to an elementary school? Should said man have the right to buy a gun?

Gun control laws invade people's privacy and limit personal volition. If we can talk about taking away a privilege that is protected by the Bill of Rights we could consider taking away other rights. Why not have people fill out questionnaires before they buy a home?

In fact this practice is already in effect in some places. Renters must fill out credit applications before being approved by a landlord. Sexual offenders are required to register with local law enforcement before moving into a new neighborhood. Why not just tack on a section regarding mental illness?

The reason we can't do this is because Americans are more worried about their unimportant self-interests than what really matters: protecting children, caring for them and making sure they grow up to be socially conscious citizens.