Gun Safety Idea

[FirePower]

Just yesterday I was having a discussion with someone about guns (as usual), and it really just kind of struck me that the majority of the general populous of this country seems to be entirely UNDEReducated, or just completely UNeducated on anything relating to guns: and this plays an ENORMOUS role in the antis, and their campaigns against guns.

Now, almost every antis major concern is that "guns kill people" (which we all know is not true, and every accident can be linked to improper gun management, lack of responsability on the owners behalf, poor gun saftey education, etc...) So I think I may have a solution to start satisfying both parties (us "gun nuts" as well as the antis). What if we were to propose a small gun safety addendum to our local/state governments for programs such as D.A.R.E. ? (for those of you who don't have it in your local area, D.A.R.E. is an acronym for "drug abuse resistance education" and the schools have various speakers and officers and whatnot come in and speak to elementary aged youth about drugs and such in order to educate them on the subject). What I had in mind could basically be to teach "children's gun safety" (ie if you see a gun, immediately get away from it and tell an adult, that gun are tools and not toys, and not to be played with etc...) but it would give everyone a basic introduction and exposure to guns and would be the beginning of mass gun education.

Antis are happy because it teaches children how to properly handle a situation safely, and would likely lead to less gun "accidents", and we gun-nuts are happy because it could potentially form a first step in the education of the population starting wth our youth. I really think this could work.

Perhaps it could lead to towns offering up follow up programs when children are a little older for who wants to learn more or something?!


What are everyone's thoughts on this? Any and all feedback/critisicm/support is welcomed.

 

[TimRB]

I think this is what the NRA's "Eddie the Eagle" program is all about. I don't follow it closely, but I think it has been successful at educating kids about guns, especially kids who otherwise would be told nothing at all about them because their parents are so paranoid and anti that they won't even talk about guns.

Tim

 

[FirePower]

I think this is what the NRA's "Eddie the Eagle" program is all about. I don't follow it closely, but I think it has been successful at educating kids about guns, especially kids who otherwise would be told nothing at all about them because their parents are so paranoid and anti that they won't even talk about guns.

I'm not familiar with the "Eddie the Eagle" program, as I don't believe they have anything like that around here.

My other point is that the antis who are so paranoid about it that they won't even talk about it, don't realize that that silence in and of itself is a huge contributor to the gun accidents that occur every year because their children know no better. Had their child been educated in basic gun safety, perhaps the "accident" would be avoided.

 

[JJohnston015]

Eddie Eagle has been denounced by the anti-gun lobby as a shill for the gun manufacturers, like Joe Camel.

When they teach "don't touch", however, it's a tremendous advance in firearms safety education.

 

[Bravo11]

I've looked at the Eddie Eagle program with the idea of introducing it at my kids school. It is a program aimed at the Pre-K-1st type age group and doesn't discuss gun safety/handling as much as it teaches - If you see a gun don't touch it and go get an adult. It seems to be more readily available to local PD's than concerned parents.

 

[Amadeus]

NRA's eddie eagle teaches (as I understand it) basic firearms awareness.

"Stop
Don't touch
Leave the area
Tell and adult."

I don't know how detailed they get as far as handling, knowledge and safety. Also I believe that the Boy Scouts still require some sort of marksmanship training to acheive further growth in the organization.

That said, I think anytime further safety and marksmanship training can be given to the public and to the younger members of our society we are better off.

Your idea is a good one, Firepower. However, rather than proposing an addendum which might face accusations of being purely politically motivated, one might consider selling it at a local level -- under the radar.

Approach some after school programs and rec. centers. Recruit some NRA instructors who will volunteer their time to the program. If it takes off then it could have enormous potential -- especially if it attracts media attention. There will be no outright politics attached. All anyone can do is praise the local do-gooders who are devoting their time and knowledge to teaching our youth how to be smart and safe while preserving their heritage as Americans.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Tim and FirePower hit the nail on the head.

The NRA has some great programs for firearm education.
Eddie Eagle is a fantastic program, "don't touch, leave the area, tell an adult". Is definitely good at teaching people to avoid firearms since you're not the authorized user.

Marksmanship and education programs continue with the basic rifle, basic handgun etc.

I think that the Eddie Eagle program should be mandatory in the school systems.

The other programs should be readily available through gun clubs and school programs.

That's just my opinion though.

You're right abou the antis though. They'd have a fit and a half if the Eddie Eagle program were taught in schools. Hmm, sounds like an added benefit to teaching the program in schools.

-Jim

 

[FirePower]

You're right abou the antis though. They'd have a fit and a half if the Eddie Eagle program were taught in schools. Hmm, sounds like an added benefit to teaching the program in schools.

i just don't understand why the antis would have such a fit. If they are against guns and believe that guns are not safe and cause accidents, then why would they not want their own children to learn proper safety about these guns that could save their lives?

 

[Brian Dale]

FirePower, if their goal is to get rid of (our) guns entirely, they're not going to be pleased by the thought of their children learning to handle guns safely. For their own children to realize that guns aren't metal demons from hell, killing by themselves and taking control of the minds of anyone who touches a gun, is an anti-gun bigot's nightmare. Your statements are reasonable. People whose motives are dishonorable will not be swayed by them.

Hanlon's razor states, "never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." Sometimes it isn't stupidity.

Still, you have a good idea. I think that rifle and pistol marksmanship should be required courses in high school, too. — hey, I can dream.

{EDIT: I originally, mistakenly called it "Sturgeon's Law." Corrected courtesy of Nick1911; see his posts below — Thanks, Nick!}

 

[Nick1911]

actually Sturgeon's Law says that "Ninety percent of everything is crap". Just learned that today too!
Nick

 

[Nick1911]

FYI one of my friends tells me that the law you were looking for is "Hanlon's Razor"... learn something new every day
Nick

 

[Brian Dale]

Yup, you're absolutely right. I'm not ready to be senile yet!

 

[Mikul]

A rational person would think that the Brady bunch would be very happy with the Eddie Eagle program. The basics of the program are: Stop, Don't Touch, Tell an Adult. It works. There have been articles in newspapers about children finding guns used in crimes and doing the right thing because of the Eddie Eagle program.

So, YES, this type of program is an excellent idea that doesn't force anyone's children to handle a firearm.

The Brady bunch doesn't think the Eddie Eagle program empasizes fear and hysterics enough. Their program is: "Stop. Don't Touch. Run away screaming about how we're all going to die and need to sue gun makers."