If you've read my YA romantic comedy
Shot Through the Heart, you're familiar with Senior Assassin. For those who aren't, it's a game played in high schools and colleges across the country--often by senior classes, fraternities, and other groups--where players eliminate each other by using water guns, nerf guns, stickers, or other means. It was created solely for fun, though it's often used by groups as a team-building exercise. (For more details, check out my earlier blog on the subject
here.)
Yesterday, a group of teens from Thomas Jefferson High School in Pleasant Hills, PA, drew concern for their play. You can check out an article on it
here, from CBS Pittsburgh or a video from the local news station,
WTAE.
What do you think? Is it ever okay to play a game like this given the gun discussion in the United States? If so, are there ways to make it both fun and safe? Does your school have an event like this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
