Parental responsibility

The airwaves are filled with talk of what to do about the two boys, just 11 and 13 years old, suspected of killing four students and a teacher and wounding a number of others in Arkansas.

Scant attention is being paid to something that might help prevent other murderous rampages: national legislation, similar to California's, that would allow prosecution of irresponsible parents and other adults who leave guns within reach of children under 14. The California law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

The Jonesboro case provides an unfortunate example of this need. The suspects allegedly tried to break into the gun vault of the 11-year-old's father but failed even with a torch and chisel, according to the grandfather. But he did admit on camera ... that his own gun collection was not as secure, and that is where the suspects allegedly obtained at least some of their weapons.

Restrictions on firearms figure to be a tough sell in parts of the nation where receipt of one's first hunting rifle is an honored rite of passage. That includes states like Arkansas, where children can own a rifle or shotgun several years before they can vote, drive a car or buy cigarettes.

That's why it's important to pursue federal legislation now, as the horror of "fledgling sociopaths" again grips the nation.

-- The Los Angeles Times