___________ FWD Message---------------------
From: Charles
Date: Fri Oct 24, 2003 6:35 am
Subject: DesNews editorial supports gun education
This is certainly a welcome surprise. Letters to the editor to congragulate him
for this burst of insight can be sent to <letters@d...>.
==================
Charles Hardy
<utbagpiper@j...>
<http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,515040495,00.html>
Educate kids about guns
Deseret Morning News editorial
On Monday, two dozen people gathered at the Jordan International Peace
Gardens to plant 1,000 daffodils in memory of those who have died from
gunshot wounds. In a sense, the gesture was reminiscent of the Japanese
custom of making 1,000 origami cranes to ensure good luck.
But people tend to make their own luck.
And a good way to make sure your child is one of the lucky ones who
avoids gun injury is through shared information.
Parents should not only talk to their children about sex and drugs,
but about firearms - what they are, how they work and the proper way to deal
with them. As with so much in life, education is the key.
Instruction is a good way to prevent boating accidents and car
accidents. It is also the best way to short-circuit gunshot accidents.
We're not advocating mandatory hunter safety courses or that kids know
how to dismantle an AK-47; but guns are a part of a child's life - more so
than parents care to acknowledge. Guns crop up in movies, on television, in
stores, on playgrounds, in the homes of friends and in children's own homes.
If cobras were as ubiquitous as guns, every parent would make sure their
child knew all about cobras. Cobras would be topic "A" at the dinner table.
But many parents steer clear of gun discussions. And when kids come across a
gun, they are often so intrigued - even mesmerized - that they can't leave
it alone. Curiosity gets the best of them.
Firearm education would lessen the exotic appeal.
Naysayers might claim that teaching gun safety to kids will only
enhance interest and desire. But if that were the case, parents would never
dare teach kids about sex and drugs. Studies - and personal experience -
have shown education is an antidote.
It is because of education that most of the nation wears automobile
seatbelts.
Education would also help children know more about the use and care of
guns, as well as the safety measures and precautions that need to be
observed around them.
Many gunshot deaths are accidents. Accidents are the result of human
error. Innocence, ignorance and negligence can lead to accidents.
Good information is good accident prevention.
From: Charles
Date: Fri Oct 24, 2003 6:35 am
Subject: DesNews editorial supports gun education
This is certainly a welcome surprise. Letters to the editor to congragulate him
for this burst of insight can be sent to <letters@d...>.
==================
Charles Hardy
<utbagpiper@j...>
<http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,515040495,00.html>
Educate kids about guns
Deseret Morning News editorial
On Monday, two dozen people gathered at the Jordan International Peace
Gardens to plant 1,000 daffodils in memory of those who have died from
gunshot wounds. In a sense, the gesture was reminiscent of the Japanese
custom of making 1,000 origami cranes to ensure good luck.
But people tend to make their own luck.
And a good way to make sure your child is one of the lucky ones who
avoids gun injury is through shared information.
Parents should not only talk to their children about sex and drugs,
but about firearms - what they are, how they work and the proper way to deal
with them. As with so much in life, education is the key.
Instruction is a good way to prevent boating accidents and car
accidents. It is also the best way to short-circuit gunshot accidents.
We're not advocating mandatory hunter safety courses or that kids know
how to dismantle an AK-47; but guns are a part of a child's life - more so
than parents care to acknowledge. Guns crop up in movies, on television, in
stores, on playgrounds, in the homes of friends and in children's own homes.
If cobras were as ubiquitous as guns, every parent would make sure their
child knew all about cobras. Cobras would be topic "A" at the dinner table.
But many parents steer clear of gun discussions. And when kids come across a
gun, they are often so intrigued - even mesmerized - that they can't leave
it alone. Curiosity gets the best of them.
Firearm education would lessen the exotic appeal.
Naysayers might claim that teaching gun safety to kids will only
enhance interest and desire. But if that were the case, parents would never
dare teach kids about sex and drugs. Studies - and personal experience -
have shown education is an antidote.
It is because of education that most of the nation wears automobile
seatbelts.
Education would also help children know more about the use and care of
guns, as well as the safety measures and precautions that need to be
observed around them.
Many gunshot deaths are accidents. Accidents are the result of human
error. Innocence, ignorance and negligence can lead to accidents.
Good information is good accident prevention.
