A recent and shocking incident in Annapolis shows how far our society has fallen when a grown man allegedly pointed a firearm at three 12-year-old girls simply because they were singing Christmas carols at his door. Police say the children knocked twice, announced they were caroling, and fled after the man aimed a gun at them; he was later arrested and faces assault-related charges. This is not a harmless “mishap”—it is a criminal threat against children and a failure of common decency that should outrage every parent.
We should be blunt: intoxication, belligerence, or political grievance do not excuse pulling a weapon on kids. Authorities reportedly confiscated the firearm and charged the suspect, yet stories like this expose the limits of merely filing charges if cultural norms that once protected our neighborhoods keep eroding. Conservatives know that respect for law, neighbors, and innocent traditions like caroling didn’t happen by accident; they were built by strong communities and clear consequences for violent behavior.
If leftist elites want to lecture about “nuance” or “context,” hardworking Americans see the real-world consequence: vulnerable citizens — especially children — are increasingly exposed to danger when decency and accountability are dismissed. We need prosecutors and judges who actually enforce the law, mayors who support police instead of defunding them, and families empowered to teach courtesy and courage. Tough love on crime is not cruelty; it’s protecting the next generation and the simple joys they deserve.
Thankfully, there are still towns where the Christmas spirit is alive and public servants honor their role in preserving it, like police departments that go out of their way to bring Santa and songs to neighborhoods. These community-minded officers remind us that law enforcement can be a force for joy and protection at the same time, showing what public safety should look like during the holidays. Conservatives should celebrate and support these efforts while pushing back against the cultural rot that produces incidents of cowardice and aggression.
That’s why voices like Megyn Kelly and Doug Brunt, who encourage families to reclaim holiday traditions — from classic movies to neighborhood caroling — matter. When national commentators remind Americans to embrace what works in raising children and building civic life, they push back against an age that treats tradition as an optional inconvenience rather than a social glue. We owe it to our kids to fight for a culture that cherishes small rituals, not one that scares them away from the simple pleasure of singing door-to-door.
So this season, let’s be practical patriots: support local police who keep neighborhoods safe, demand that courts treat threats to children with the seriousness they deserve, and keep teaching your kids that decency still matters. If we defend our traditions and enforce our laws, caroling will remain a symbol of community, not an excuse for cowardice or criminality. America is at its best when families, faith, and common-sense law enforcement stand together to preserve the peaceful, joyful holidays our children deserve.
