Story last updated at 7:36 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2003

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Playing war

This is in response to Ink contributor Paul Bowers' May 6 article about teens playing war in his church's fellowship hall.

The casualness with which 14-year-old Paul lists the weapons (airsoft guns) brought to their game -- "pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles and everything in between" -- haunts me. Haven't we heard enough about sniper rifles? Do they really need to be a part of our boys' play?

Paul writes that "it's a point of pride to own a gun that leaves welts." Why? Instead of thinking it is OK for our kids to play like this, could we not look a little deeper and ask ourselves, "Why, when we live in such a gun-loving, violent society can't we steer our children into healthier recreational pursuits?"

JENNIFER MATHIS

1081 Shipmaster Court

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