The Latest Insane Overreactions to Guns

It's no secret that schools have been going nuts over gun issues these past months. That much is understandable, given the horrific Sandy Hook shootings. Gun issues involving schools have to be seriously and rationally considered in order to protect children in the most effective way possible.

However, this time, the state government of New York took it too far. A toyshop owner was ordered to pay $30,000 because he stocked seven toy guns designed to look like sheriff's old revolvers. He's going out of business because he can't afford the fine.

There have been several other insane overreactions to guns over the past several months. Here are some of them:

1. A 7-year-old boy was suspended for chewing his Pop-Tart into a "gun-like shape." He said it was an imitation of a mountain he had drawn in class the previous day.

2. A middle schooler was disciplined and almost suspended for wearing a Marine Corps T-shirt that depicted two guns, a common Marine Corps logo.

3. Another grade school boy was suspended for making the classic pistol sign with his hands.

4. And finally, my favorite one: A high schooler was not only expelled but also charged with a felony for leaving a .410 gun in his trunk while he was at school. The gun was unloaded and locked in a case. He had gone shooting that weekend and forgotten to take it out of the car. When he realized his mistake, he went to see the principal and asked to take it back to his house during a break later that day. Now he's facing felony charges, jail time, and has to attend another school in order to graduate.

Where do you draw the line?

These overreactions don't help anybody. They mask the real issue about gun violence in schools if they're suspending grade schoolers for accidentally chewing a Pop-Tart into a gun-like shape.

If toaster pastries that resemble guns are enough to warrant suspension, I'll probably be expelled from my college for writing this.