SEATTLE -- It's a tragedy for all involved.

Over the weekend, a 54-year-old woman was killed by a 14-year-old boy.

Pamela Almli was hiking with a friend in the Sauk Mountain area near Sedro-Woolley on Saturday morning. According to authorities, she had stopped for a moment on the trail to put something in her backpack.

From a distance, the young teenager raised his rifle thinking he had a bear in his sights.

With one squeeze of the trigger, one life ended while another was forever changed.

I checked with state officials on just what is required to get a juvenile a hunting license.

Simply take and pass a hunter's safety course.

That's it.

I was told that if a youngster can read and pass a test, that youngster can get a license and go off hunting all by themselves.

To me, that's like saying that if a 12-year-old can pass the written driving test, they should be allowed behind the wheel of a car.

My heart goes out to the family of Pamela Almli.

My heart goes out to that 14-year-old boy.

But I've got to ask what the hell state officials are thinking when they put guns in the hands of youngsters and send them off into the woods.

That's nothing but a tragedy in the making.

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 3-6 p.m. on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.