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THE HIGH LIFE
December 22, 1976
Do You Believe
In Gun Control?
On Saturday, December 4, a
Grimsley High sophomore was
shot to death. Do you believe in
gun control?
This is the question that enters
my mind every time I hear of a
death or injury caused by
firearms. I’ve contemplated,
discussed -- I’ve even done
research on gun control - and 1
have decided to support it.
In my opinion, the way to limit
the criminal use of hand guns is
not to take guns away from
law-abiding citizens but to impose
mandatory sentences for crimes
in which a gun is used. Also, for
the betterment of the community,
we should make it more difficult
to obtain cheap guns for criminal
purposes. The sale or manufact
ure of concealable (pistol less
than 8V2 inches, revolvers less
than 5-3/4 inches and barrels less
than 4 inches) guns should be
banned.
A Federal study, in which 7,815
hand guns were taken by police
over a 32-month period, found
that “Saturday night specials”
are used in 45 percent of street
crimes involving guns because
they are cheap and easily
concealed. The study also showed
that only 67 percent of the guns
had been reported stolen to the
FBI while a far higher percentage
had been purchased from pawn
shops. Many guns used in
northern cities were found to have
come from states with weak
controls on the sale of guns.
Seventy one percent of the guns
had barrels no longer than three
Christmas Season Brings Out Best
“City sidewalks, busy side
walks, dressed in holiday style. In
the air, there’s that feeling of
Christmas”. Once again, it is the
time of year when people cast
away their inhibitions to celebrate
this joyous season. Love abounds
on every street corner and each
person is filled with the spirit of
living.
The shopping, eating and
visiting tend to blot out the cruel
world for a short time. People
depend upon this season to
provide a new hope and a
temporary happiness for them.
America needs the Christmas
season to improve her outlook.
Christmas brings about parties
for friends to gather and share
their good times and fond
memories. Families are reunited
each year at this time out of an
annual tradition. The love of a
family is rekindled at this time in
much the same fashion as the
fires which are burning in the
people’s homes.
The trees, houses, landscapes
and the places of business take on
that attractive Christmas look
which brings excitement to each
person’s heart. All things look
beautiful again. The cold and the
snow which were a nuisance in
October are now adding to the
season’s atmosphere. The lights
of shopping centers and busines
ses remind us of the commercial
ism that has come to be
associated with Christmas. Bui,
even in this, there can be found a
glimmer of good. The often
criticized commercialism does
subtract from the true meaning of
Christmas, however, it does add
to the spirit and happiness of eah
individual. A Christian will
always remember the true
meaning but the non-Christian is
caught up in the advertising and
commercialism and is enticed to
give to others. This action brings
about his feeling of happiness. If
each man finds peace and
happiness this season in his own
way, be he Christian or not. isn’t
that what Christmas is all about?
Many charities also mark this
season. They are all working
towards making the Christmas
more pleasant for those who are
less fortunate. People pour their
hearts and money into these
services, which are a prime
example of the spirit of each
individual this jolly season. One
can hardly pass a Salvation Army
stand without dropping some
thing into the can.
If man were to carry this spirit
of Christmas throughout the
entire year, the world would be a
much nicer place to live. Men
would learn to give and greed
would be a thing of the past. Men
would come together and learn to
love one another. The spirit of
Christmas should be a year-round
feeling. People should not wait
for one time each year to sow
their charity and giving ability.
Of course, something so simple
and enjoyable :as Christmas
should not be looked into so
deeply. The season should be
kept as simple and sacred as
possible. This is a deeper look
into the results and feelings
which are drawn forth. Not all
may agree with the assumptions
made here but it is hoped that this
writing will be helpful to some in
gaining a new perspective of
Christmas.
In closing, it is hoped that
everyone will remember to give of
themselves and their resources to
those who can’t celebrate as
happily as others. It is also
important for people to keep this
spirit of Christmas throughout the
entire year.
OoesN'^i Me
bEE.M OUTO4TCO
inches. My conclusion from this is
if control of guns were strong in
all states, then criminals would
not be able to travel to a different
area to easily obtain firearms.
In the United States, more
people have been killed by
privately owned guns since 1900
than have died in all the wars in
the nation’s history. Today, half
the families in this country own at
least one gun. The Federal
government and some states have
gun control laws. These laws
prohibit alcoholics, drug addicts,
mentally unbalanced persons or
persons with criminal records
from owning guns. Still, the
existing gun control laws are
difficult to enforce because of the
enormous number of weapons
already in private hands.
There is one drawback from
enforcing gun control laws. The
manufacture and sale of guns in
the “under world” could possibly
increase. I cannot assume this as
a fact, but I wouldn’t be surprised
if, unfortunately, this situation is
already taking place. Please do
not misunderstand me -- I believe
everyone should have the right to
protect himself but 1 just cannot
see letting someone purchase a
firearm (whether legally or
illegally) to possibly do harm
against someone else.
If you want to try to change
existing situations concerning
gun control or would perhaps
want more information, I suggest
you write your congressman.
Remember - someone may be
shot tomorrow ... Do you believe
in gun control?
To The Editor
To the Editor:
This editorial is concerning the
article in the last issue of “High
Life” entitled “An Alternate
Choice‘For Happiness”.
In the Bill of Rights in the
Constitution of the United States
it says that every American has
the freedom of religion as one of
his inalienable rights. This means
that he has the right to choose for
himself his beliefs and not for
others to force it upon him.
In the past several months
there has been quite an uproar at
Grimsley about finding “life” in
Jesus. This is fine for those who
choose to accept that life, but
those who don’t should not be
condemned for their beliefs, nor
should they be forced or conned
into believing that they are
eternally doomed.
In my opinion, being a "good
Christian” means respecting
other people’s religion as well as
one’s own. It seems to me that all
non-believing Christians have
been given the vivid impression
that they are missing out on
something and unless they “find
it” there is no purpose to their
life.
One of the main reasons we
have so much talk about religion
in school is because of Young
Life. This organization has been a
big part of Grimsley for many
years. Their advisors are
well-trained, well-organized, and
very well Christian-oriented -
and that’s what’s wrong with it.
Since when have religion and
schools been allowed to be in the
same bracket? The separation of
Church and State was established
decades ago. So why do they
advertise? 'Why are they allowed
to put their posters up all over
school? Sure, Young Life is fun.
It’s a great way for people to get
together and meet each other.
But 1 have yet, and I know I never
will, hear someone tell me that it
has nothing to do with religion -
because that’s what it’s all about.
Everyone knows how commer
cial Christmas has become. Are
these people trying to make their
entire religion commercial? How
can this be? Religion is personal.
It’s a person’s feelings and
thoughts on a one-to-one basis
with G-d; and that G-d can be
whomever or whatever that
person wants it to be. Now, how
can something that personal be
commercialized? So the next time
you tell someone “you found it”,
just think twice, and keep it to
yourself.
Lisa Wainer
To the Editor:
1 would like to express an
opinion I have on the article “An
Alternate Choice For Happiness”
written by Jimmy Carpenter. I
would just like to say that at my
first glance at his article I thought
he was giving us all a sermon. But
as I analyze it - that’s not what he
wanted to convey to us at all. His
ideas were expressed well, but,
most of us here at Grimsley have
not found ourselves. And in order
for us to find ourselves we must
first find Jesus Christ. As we go
on living each day, I fully realize
how right he is. Think about what
my “brother” has said, but, more
importantly - take his advice.
Richard Spurlin 207
Faulty P.A. Confuses Students
Are you lost as to what is going
on in the school, because you
never hear the morning or
afternoon announcements? The
new P.A. system hopes to solve
this problem encountered not
only by students, but teachers as
well and bring them out of the
dark.
There is no question that the
new system is expensive, but the
services provided by it will
certainly override the cost of it. It
will not only offer the classes in
the new science building, tbe
home-economics building and the
gym a way of hearing the
announcements but a better
overall system of communication.
Although the new system is
being installed because of faults
in the present one, it could also
offer a solution to some of the
disciplinary problems. With a
direct link-up between each
classroom and the offices
provided by this service, if a
problem should arise, it could be
handled faster and more
efficiently than sending the
In Memorium
Joe Wilson, a sophomore, was
killed Saturday night December
4. It’s felt by all, that Grimsley
has suffered a great loss because
of his tragic death. Joe was a shy.
quiet student, a good worker, who
was quite responsible. His death
snaps us back to the harsh reality
of life in this season of fantasy. A'
collection was taken by the
Executive Council in an effort to
help his family. During the
holiday while you’re enjoying
pleasant times with your family,
think of Joe’s family and the
heartaches they’re going
through. It’s hoped that each and
every student will remember this
death and be saddened by this
tragedy. It is senseless for one so
young to die before he has yet
lived. Maybe something will be
done about the unrestricted
ownership of guns in our lifetime.
Grimsley will miss Joe Wilson but
his memory will remain with us.
student or a note to the office.
Will the new P.A. system do
away with the --
“Are we having practice?”
“Where do we meet?”
“When do these forms need to
be in?” and various other
questions asked by uninformed
students and teachers. Probably
not, for there always will be those
who will not listen. But for the
most part it will provide a better
and more practical way of
communication for the students
and faculty of our school.
HIGH LIFE
Published Monthly
by
Grimsley Senior High School
801 Westover Terrace
Greensboro, N.C. 27408
HIGH LIFE is a member of Quill and Scroll and the National
Scholastic Press Association. The cost is $1.50 per semester,
$2.00 per year.
EDITOR: Lee Evans
SPORTS EDITOR: Billy Tsintzos
NEWS EDITOR: Carol Eddy
FEATURE EDITOR: David Buila
ART EDITOR: Curtis Fields
ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sandy Pleasants
BUSINESS MANAGER: Susan McGIameiy
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Terry Williams, Richard Biller, Randy
Apple, Kathy McEachem, Davey Ottinger
ADDITIONAL STAFF: Charlie Brown, John Cauble, Hank
Howard, Steve Theriot, Gary Sue, Ellen Mitchell, Leigh
Cagle, Sara Gramely, Cheryle Lnteman, Keith Staton
STAFF ASSISTANT: David Bolton
ADVISOR: Ms. Kathi Smog