Every year, two seniors organize a game of assassins — an activity centered around students hunting other students with Nerf guns.

The current educational and political climate brings new layers to the context of the game that cannot be ignored, including increased awareness of gun violence.

Every year there are concerns around safety, especially this year, surrounding police brutality.

Some have expressed concerns about police reacting to a students with a Nerf gun, worried they might confuse it with an actual weapon and open fire on the student.

There have been multiple cases of police officers mistakenly shooting and fatally wounding citizens with handheld items that do not remotely resemble a gun. Such as in March with the shooting of Stephon Clark holding a cellphone in his grandmother’s backyard. This is an increased concern for students of color.

According to a CNN, 17 in school gun related incidents have occured in the United States since January 2018. Because of the focus on gun violence this past year, there is a higher concern regarding the overall message of the game.

Students have taken a stand against gun violence, recently raising their voices in walkouts, Park included.

To clarify, the Echo does not believe that participating in assassins directly reflects the students disposition toward gun control and violence.

The Echo is aware students who participate are not oblivious to the tragedies of this year.  The editorial board believes the game of assassins this year may be insensitive. However, in a vote of 8 to 3, the majority of the editorial board concluded that students are not personally responsible for perpetuating gun violence if they participate.

Alternatives around the gun aspect of assassins are used at other schools. Some schools use decorated spoons and socks to avoid using guns, however, the editorial board agreed it be would be extremely difficult to avoid the use of Nerf guns in the game.

Students cannot dismiss the implications of the game of assassins. We suggest that students should continue conversing about the political issues surrounding gun control and gun violence.

Editorial members expressed it may be a good idea for a portion of the profit being made from the game to be donated to gun violence prevention.