When I was about two years old my mother said to me, 'Come here, my darling, there is something I want you to see. This is your father's razor: see how sharp and bright and new? Never, never touch it dear, because it will hurt you.' 'I can't believe an inert object acts all by itself,' I thought when I was in the bathroom reaching for the shelf. 'It will not hurt me 'cuz it hasn't even got a will!' Then suddenly I gave a shriek of pain so loud and shrill. I saw the red blood dripping from my tiny finger tips. I heard the words 'IT HURT ME!' issue from my trembling lips. I couldn't understand it at the time, but then I knew: If razors can hurt children, then perhaps a gun can too.