Editorial: Stolen guns provide opportunity for parents

When several Scotts Valley High students were arrested on suspicion of stealing guns and an Xbox from a Scotts Valley home last week, the unusual circumstances around the case turned it into the talk of the town.
It’s perturbing that the guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle, have not been found, in the wake of recent gang-related violence in Santa Cruz. We have confidence, however, that the police and district attorney’s office are working vigilantly to find them.
Because the suspects in the theft are high school students, we urge families to talk about the crime in a real way. It’s a good opportunity to open lines of communication with young people about the dangers involved with thievery and the repercussions of being caught stealing, particularly guns.
According to District Attorney Bob Lee, two of the boys involved are 18 and could end up behind bars as long as six years.
There’s also the question of where the guns are now. Fearmongering is not the proper action here; still, it is possible the guns have been sold and are on the streets.
Violence has yet to hit Scotts Valley or the San Lorenzo Valley, but it would take just one rash decision by a young person to change that. Parents have an important role in explaining the value of being a member of the community and taking seriously gun safety and gun laws, as well as the finality of a gun shot.
We are saddened to have to focus our attention on crimes such as this even as so many young people are graduating and preparing for a summer of work and play. But a simple conversation could prevent a tragedy.