Letter to the Editor: Ban the Tomatoes?

September 18, 2003
Akron Beacon-Journal

I am in favor of stricter gun control because of people like the person who fired a shotgun into a Holmes County cornfield and killed a 23-year-old (``Enraged motorist kills prankster,'' Beacon Journal, Sept. 3). His reaction was absurd and certainly not appropriate.

But why is it that people have not commented on the dangers of throwing objects at vehicles driving through near-complete darkness? Instead it has been characterized as a "harmless prank'' and a "ritual.''

That ritual could easily cause a driver to be so startled as to wreck his or her car and possibly other cars on the road.

The aim would have to be good, but what if a car window was down and the driver was actually hit? So many folks have commented on the innocent fun these "kids'' were having. I'd call it reckless and stupid behavior.

Getting out of one's car and shooting into the darkness is sickening. But having objects purposefully launched at one's vehicle in the name of good, clean fun is irresponsible and violent.

Coming from a 5- or 6-year-old it would be a mistake. From a 23-year-old, it should be criminal.

Jennifer L. Klika
Cuyahoga Falls

Commentary:
All the gun control laws in Ohio did not stop this unstable person from committing his act of violence. This writer sees can't see the forest for the trees. ANYTHING - even a rotten tomato - can be used as a weapon in the hands of someone who intends to do harm to others.

Click here to read the letter in the Akron Beacon Journal.