Toys Are Us.

I took my nine-year-old grandson shopping for Christmas. An enlightening experience. For his step-brother and age-mate Ben he bought the toy equivalent of an AK-47. From his discussion of the purchase I gathered that my grandson already has a similar weapon and wanted to equalize the arms race for better play.

The plastic assault rifle is a distinct upgrade. Last year on a similar safari my grandson bought Nerf swords for nearly everyone on his gift list. The world has evolved from sword play. But are we any safer with better weaponry?

My own experience with a rifle was limited to the U.S. Army in the late '50s. In basic training I came down with the flu when I was supposed to be on the rifle range. After a night in the hospital they sent me out to the range on a cold, rainy day. I don't remember firing my M-1 but it got dirty and I was in no condition to clean it that evening. The next morning I--my rifle, that is--failed inspection and I--me, that is--got latrine duty. Thus ended my love affair with my rifle.

I graduated from basic to a desk job. My only other experience with a rifle was a day of "qualifying" on the rifle range for us desk jockeys. This time the weather was decent and my aim seemed to be quite good.  I discovered the secret of my success when I went down to the pit to pull targets. My buddies instructed me in the use of the M-1 pencil. After each round of firing no target went unpunctured.

The M-1 fired a single shot with each pull on the trigger. Today no one should need a pencil at the target end. Assault rifles allow you to spray the target area with a fusillade of bullets. That removes the element of skill but, it seems to me, also removes a sense of responsibility for the outcome. It becomes more liking firing a semi-automatic plastic dart gun. If I happen to hit someone in the eye with one of those darts, is it really my fault? If I spray a schoolroom full of children with lead is it really my fault when I hit some of them? If I take my grandson shopping and there are guns all over the toy section, is it really my fault if I let him buy one?