First Monday and Every Monday
May 8, 2006

Cedar Rapids, IA – Two Oskaloosa, Iowa teenagers died as a result of a double-shooting that occurred on May 3. According to news accounts, Joseph Ballantyne (17) shot and killed Brandon Bunnell (13) with a military-style, semiautomatic assault rifle. Ballantyne then shot himself with the rifle. The shootings occurred at the home of Bunnell’s grandfather where Bunnell and his mother lived. The rifle came from Ballantyne’s home, but ownership has not been determined. Investigators have not ruled whether the shooting of Bunnell was accidental or intentional.

IPGV executive director John Johnson issued the following statement regarding this shooting.

“IPGV extends heartfelt condolences to the families of Joseph Ballantyne and Brandon Bunnell.

 “Each time there is a shooting incident such as the recent shooting in Oskaloosa, people ask the usual questions. Why did Ballantyne shoot Bunnell? What was his motive? Were there warning signs? How could this shooting have been prevented? Who is at fault?

“The answers to these questions may never be fully known. But what is known is that teenagers and unsupervised access to firearms make a deadly combination. This incident could not have occurred were it not for the gun.

“As Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center in Washington, DC has noted, ‘It’s the guns, stupid.’

“Furthermore, in this case the gun was a military assault rifle (7.62mm SKS model). Such weapons are specifically designed to kill human beings. IPGV considers that possession of military assault weapons should be restricted to the military and law enforcement personnel only, and should not be sold to civilians.

“IPGV encourages parents with young children and teenagers to not store your guns in the home. If you choose to keep a gun in the home, then the gun and ammunition should be locked up.”