Make the debate over guns worthy of our son

[Playinghardball]

found on the Obamadiary

Mark Barden is a musician and Jackie Barden is a teacher. They live in Newtown, Conn.

Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence is the latest in a series of events following the Dec. 14shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our 7-year-old son, Daniel, 19 of his first-grade classmates and six educators were killed in the tragedy. We believe this hearing is an opportunity to rise above the hard-line rhetoric and intransigence that too often lead to inaction and hopelessness, and we hope that our leaders and our nation will start a new conversation with a chance of achieving real change.

Our Daniel was a constant source of laughter and joy. He was intelligent, articulate, incredibly affectionate, fair, thoughtful toward others and unfailingly polite. Daniel believed in holding doors open for strangers. He talked to the person sitting alone. He loved to help clean up a mess, and he made sure there was enough milk for everyone before adding it to his cereal.


(Family photo/FAMILY PHOTO) - FAMILY PHOTO: Daniel Barden was one of the victims in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut.

His kindergarten teacher recently wrote to us: “He is the kind of student that should come wrapped in ribbon because he is a gift to his teachers. I can remember leaving notes for our substitute to ‘ask Daniel’ if she or he needed help with anything.”

Motivated by Daniel’s empathy and kindness, one of our relatives created a Facebook page, “What Would Daniel Do?,” to inspire others to reach out as our youngest son did.

More at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-response-to-newtown-shootings-think-of-daniel/2013/01/29/b658933a-6a48-11e2-95b3-272d604a10a3_story.html?hpid=z2

[randome]

1. I would love to hear Obama give a speech after the hearing.

"We heard many heart-felt stories about the tragedies caused by guns. We heard not one heart-felt story about how high-capacity magazines or assault rifles saved lives. Not one."

[slackmaster]

2. I keep my Ruger 10/22 and my .38 revolver locked up at all times,

and I've taught basic gun safety to more than 100 people.