CCW and Boy Scouts of America

[ArfinGreebly]

Hmmm . . . Boy Scouts

Y'know, the irony finally hit me.

What, pray tell, is the Boy Scout Motto?

So, we would modify that to read:

Be Prepared -- unless hiking in dangerous animal country.

 

[Caimlas]

Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
and Reverant

If you can't/don't agree to conditons of the volunteer service, I see two honorable options-

1) Honor the policy, and work to change it from within
or
2) Don't volunteer

None of those characteristics encourage the blind obedience of a boilerplate risk prevention handbook. In fact, several of them actually could be used to make a fairly strong agreement to carry, particularly when you've got a number of boys under your tutilage, whether it's downtown or out in the wild:

Trustworthy - Someone carring concealed has demonstrated to the state that they're trustworthy enough to be 'allowed' to carry a firearm concealed. And AFAIK, the BSA does an even more thorough background check on you than the state does. Either you are, or are not, trustworthy enough to be left (relatively) alone with young males - it's that simple.
Loyal - You're carring the gun to protect someone elses' children (and probably your own) with your life, if needbe - what is more loyal than that?
Helpful - You're acting as a scoutmaster, aren't you?
Friendly and Courteous - I've found (as I'm sure many of you have) that firearm owners and particularly those who CCW are, by and large, more friendly and curteous than your average person.
Kind - It would be kind to protect someone from imminent harm, yes?
Obedient - Obedience requires some form of higher authority. As a man, I know of only one, and He is not the BSA (does not the BSA even acknowledge this to a limited degree?)

And on and on.

I remember something about "Be Prepared" but its pertinence escapes me for some reason....

 

[k_dawg]

Your primary and ultimate duty is to the kids safety. Without this, the rest are irrelevant.

 

[Lupinus]

Yes they can.

Just like if you walk into someones house and the rule is no firearms, the rule is no firearms. Now if it is illegal is up to your state law, but they most certianly can tell you to remove the firearm or leave, and if you don't it is armed trespassing.

 

[jcramin]

For the record, since I did start this mess LOL I guess I should tell my experience. I have 35 years experience in th BSA from Cubs all the way to being an Eagle with 4 Palms. I have been a leader in 4 Scout Troops and 2 Cub Packs. My Father and I started a Cub Pack and a Scout Troop.

Those of you who have been in Scouts for many many years know the guide for safe Scouting for the most part is just a guide. You old time Scouters know that the rules have changed and the BSA have gotten a bit paranoid of law suits that have to do with children. So most of the rules and guides they write are for the safety of the Scouts and to protect the BSA from law suites and you old timers know the NEW Scout Leaders are taught to obey the Guide to Safe Scouting word for word.

J

 

[SJG26]

It's BSA "policy" - no force of law................

When I am out and about with 20+ Cub/Boy Scouts---their well-being is MY responsibility----be it in the city or on the trails........................I always carry..........

 

[jcramin]

I agree with you SJG26 and I do the same.

J

 

[Dravur]

Am i supposed to believe this?

Quote.....First day, I'm unpacking in the leaders cabin. Another leader's shirt rides up and exposes his Glock 21. I nod at him, and he hides the gun. I had not met this guy before. He was embarrassed, so I lifted up my shirt and showed him my 1911 so he would feel better. I did not however show him the FAL I had inside my sleeping bag. Quote..

Right, a Glock owner and a 1911 owner in the same room, both presenting and there isn't even a fistfight? I find this hard to believe. At the very least there, should have been some....John Browning was a GOD... No he isn't Gaston Glock is my hero!. Then some pushin and a shovin.

Hey, you got some 1911 on my glock.... No, you got some Glock on my 1911. Next thing you know, you get a Reese's Glockinbutter 1911.

I gotta get off these meds......

 

[frostbiker]

FWIW, you are going to do what you are going to do, BSA policies be darned.

When I was a kid, I was in scouts, and my two sisters were more active than I was as Girl Scouts. My mom was their troop leader. They did more camping and woodsy stuff than I did in Scouting. I had my dad and a deer lease...that was all I needed to learn about the great outdoors.

I remember some of those campouts for the Girl Scouts. While they were Brownies, they'd camp out in the park next to our church. Secluded enough to give privacy and just out of the way enough to seem like the great outdoors. As they grew older, regular camping excursions were held at the local GSA camp ground and elsewhere.

Never once did they go on an overnight campout without a couple of fathers standing guard. Most often, I would spend the weekend or week with my cousins or friends and dad would go out armed with a shotgun and his .357.

I plan on doing the same for my kids, whether they are girl or boy scouts. The policy is there for the sake of BSA's insurance and attorneys. It isn't there for the sake of my children.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My Troop Just Ignored Any No Gun Policy

Greetings,

I was a Scout from 1987 to 1994 (finish my Eagle on my 18th B-day in 1994) in Boulder, Colorado. My Troop completely ignored any no gun policy by BSA Corporate. The first summer after I joined (coming from Webelos), we did a week-long back trip in the Tetons. The Scoutmasters open-carried various .44 and .357 Mag wheel guns, and let the Scouts shoot a few rounds each before the trip started. This was my first experience shooting big bore handguns. The Scoutmaster even used his Model 629 to scare of a bear who was tearing into his pack at 3:30 am, despite our intense use of bear bags. We usually shot on every camping trip, exposing many young scouts to handguns, rifles, and shotguns (except at Ben Delatour Scout Camp, where we had to play by the rules). As Senior Patrol Leader (age 16 and 17), I carried a .38 on all camping and hiking outings. I continued working with the Troop while I was in college as an Assistant Scoutmaster. These experiences in Scouts solidified my strong belief that "Be Prepared" means having access to a firearm at all times. Funny thing is that even in supposedly ultra-progressive Boulder, we never had a complaint by any parents.

Thanks,

Hunter