One continuing problem in our society is that too many people think they have no responsibility to act for the greater good. That issue is playing out in Dane County’s court system following a 2024 deadly school shooting in Madison.
The father of the girl who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in December 2024 entered not guilty pleas at his arraignment.
Jeffrey Rupnow, 44, appeared in court Tuesday with his attorney. He is charged with two felony counts of intentionally selling a weapon to a person under 18 and a felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Rupnow’s daughter, Natalie, shot and killed teacher Erin West and 14-year-old student Rubi Patricia Vergara before taking her own life. According to the criminal complaint, Jeffrey purchased two guns for Natalie.
Both guns were recovered from ALCS on Dec. 16, 2024, the day of the shooting.
Where does responsibility lie in this case? The criminal case against Rupnow forces the public to confront that question. Prosecutors contend that he intentionally sold weapons to a person under 18 and contributed to the delinquency of a child. This case, like others in the nation that are holding adults responsible for the actions they take regarding deadly weapons and minor children, is one we must pay attention to.
For years, Americans have become tragically familiar with the aftermath of school shootings. We’ve seen enough candlelight vigils and heard enough politicians recite well-worn talking points that we all want to vomit. What has been missing for too long are honest discussions about the adults who place firearms within reach of minors.
Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that rights come with responsibilities. Every gun owner knows this, or should. That obligation becomes even greater when children are involved.
I am not suggesting the shooter is not ultimately responsible in any situation. But society can not ignore the chain of decisions that made the violence possible. When adults recklessly provide access to firearms or fail to secure them, they become part of that chain. This afternoon, as I trimmed plants for winter, a man stopped to talk, and this news headline prompted a quick set of comments. He said that holding irresponsible adults accountable protects the reputation of those who take their responsibilities seriously. (He admitted to being a gun owner.)
The students and staff who walked into Abundant Life Christian School deserved to return home safely. The families forever changed by that tragedy deserved better. If America truly wants fewer school shootings, it must embrace an idea that ought to be neither controversial nor partisan. Adults who make deadly weapons available to minors must be prepared to answer for the legal consequences.
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