What Is This Country Coming To?

Our country is reeling in shock today over the shooting of an eleven year old boy by a teenager on a BMX bike. We are shaking our heads and wondering how this can happen in a country that has such strict gun laws. We don't consider it normal for people to own guns. Even our police officers aren't armed, so how can this happen here? That's the question on all British lips today.
But the sad fact is that there is a growing gun culture amongst our youth. They can buy one for as little as £50. That's peanuts to some of our youth, who receive nearly that much in pocket money.
Some will blame the parents of this teenage killer, who apparently shot the little boy dead without flinching, some will blame the police for not doing enough, some will blame society, but when this killer is finally brought to justice will the blame be placed squarely where it belongs, on his shoulders?
This is why we have a growing gang culture, youth violence that is escalating to murder and people being terrorised in their own communties. Because every time these thugs are brought to court there is always somebody who will excuse their behaviour and blame it on somebody or something else. The blame needs putting on those responsible and they need to be treated like the criminals they are and given appropriate punishment.
What's the use in having them sign a piece of paper that says, 'yes, I'm bad but I'll try to be better.' That's the newest initiative from our Government - an Acceptable Behaviour Contract. They seem to think it will make our streets safer and have an impact on our youth, if they have to admit they are naughty, sign a bit of paper that says they are and promise to behave because they have signed. Oh yeah, I'm sure that's gonna work!!!
For all of us who have kids out there, how many times have you said to them, 'Don't do that again.' And how many times have they replied, 'I won't.' And how many times did they go right out and do it again? Well, there's your answer to how much use those ABC's are going to be.
If the government wants to stop these awful crimes from happening they need to get serious and start giving the police more powers to arrest and make the courts hand out proper punishments that fit the crimes.
I don't see that happening any time soon, do you?