Student walkouts were welcome sight

How many times have you heard that kids today don't care much about anything?

That certainly wasn't the case Wednesday morning as hundreds of thousands of youth across the United States stepped out of the classroom as part of a national movement.

The 17-minute walkout was twofold - to give thought and reflection upon those 17 people who died from gunshot wounds at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., one month ago and to spark conversation about increasing gun control laws.

What the students in Florida want is as follows:

• Ban assault weapons

• Require universal background checks before gun sales

• Pass a gun violence restraining order law that would allow courts to disarm people who display warning signs of violent behavior

In Illinois, the state Senate passed a bill raising the legal age to buy assault weapons to 21.

As for me, I fail to see why anyone other than a member of the military should have access to an assault weapon. But that's just me.

President Donald Trump is pushing for the arming of teachers in the classroom. That idea may bring more harm than good.

Student organizers fear that introducing more guns or police into schools could turn schools into prisons with dangerous consequences for students of color.

Here in Southern Illinois, where the National Rifle Association rules supreme, walkouts were scattered.

In Marion, for example, dozens of students participated.

In Du Quoin, there were about 25.

In Harrisburg, nobody from the high school walked out, while everyone did at the junior high.

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called the walkouts a "shameful attempt by a left-wing group to use students to further their political agenda."

I think that's a bit of a reach to say the least.

I think kids are simply fed up with seeing classmates murdered and want to do something about it. I don't see it as a Liberal vs. Conservative thing.

Students are now planning a march on Washington Saturday, March 24.

And I say that's great.

Unlike McMaster, I was pleased that so many students participated in the national walkout.

Don't we want to teach our children to think for themselves and not be afraid to stand up for what they believe is right?

My generation didn't have to worry about dodging a would-be assassin. Why should our children or grandchildren have to deal with such?

Some information for this article was retrieved from CNN.com.