Gun safety in schools

[30mag]

I just drove by our elementary school here where fourth and fifth grade is taught, and apparently, there was some guy firing a black powder rifle on the lawn of the school. He was shooting off away from town, and there were about 40 kids standing behind him watching.

So.. I just thought...
Has anyone ever thought of teaching gun safety in school?

It could (in theory) reduce the number of deaths caused by children.
Am I right?

 

[hso]

It's a good idea that could be integrated into their social studies or health classes. Prevention is the best approach to any health hazard and education is an integral part of prevention.

Now how would we get that accomplished?

 

[sturmgewehr667]

it would be an awesome idea that would, imo, greatly reduce the number of accidental gun deaths in the country. but it would be hard to do, because most people in education tend to be anti gun and almost all schools have a no guns period policy. some schools even have the kids sign forms about not using a gun.

 

[expvideo]

I got the Eddie Eagle program when I was in school.

Basic gun safety should be a required class or at least a required part of the curriculum or a class in high school.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Has anyone ever thought of teaching gun safety in school?

There was a bill introduced in our state legislature to offer gun safety courses, but I don't know if they got anywhere.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

When I went to school they taught both Hunters Safety and Drivers Ed. as part of "Safety" class...along with Certified CPR and a few other things, though I can't remember the "other" things were...Oh well, I remembered the important stuff.

I think I took that class in 10th grade.

 

[Rio Laxas]

My father in law went to high school outside of Chicago in the mid-seventies. They had an indoor .22 rifle and archery range that was used as part of PE. I don't see any good reason why schools would have discontinued such programs. Maybe there should have been a clause in the stimulus bill that allocated money for firearms education in schools.

 

[30mag]

HAHAHA!!

Stimulus bill... guns.. Democrats...
Ha!

 

[sniper5]

When I was in Jr. High in Salinas, the student council sponsored a presentation by Stan Sweet, who was the Bob Munden of his day. He was a fast draw artist and trick shooter. The whole school attended in the auditorium. About 90% of the show was about gun safety and anti-movie-BS. Great show and educational. Can't imagine them doing something like that nowadays.

 

[TAB]

Optional yes, mandatory no.

 

[jbkebert]

Hunter safety in schools

There are currently several schools in the state of Kansas that teach hunter safety during school days. This course last anywhere from one to two semesters depending on the school and it is a elective. No one is forced to take it. They use the laser shot system in place of live fire but everything else is the same.

 

[Second Amendment Liberal]

maybe integrate it into social studies. while learning about the american revolution, some period actors can demonstrate the muskets in use back then, then when learning about more modern wars, do the same with modern weapons, along with the safety rules.

 

[Interceptor_Knight]

Hunters' Safety was taught IN school when I grew up. This should return.

 

[brin747]

I wouldn't count on the schools to do any such thing. This is a parental responsibility first and foremost. My sons have had private instruction with an NRA certified instructor, followed up by lots of range time with mom and dad and frequent reviews on gun safety and handling.

I just don't see any sort of gun course ever being allowed, even in my small town...

 

[Evenflo76]

My high school on Long Island had an indoor rifle range and I know during the seventies there was a shooting team. The team was long gone when I began high school in the early nineties, but the range was still there.

My friends older brother was a custodian. He would give us access on the weekends

 

[30mag]

"This is a parental responsibility first and foremost."
When was the last time the government expected us to take responsibility for something?

 

[usmc1371]

I really think they should teach the very baisics of gun safety as early as possible. I recall having a firemen come to our school and tell us how dangours lighters and matches are when I wan in second or third grade. Then a cop came in and told us how "strangers" were bad and we shouldn't go with any one who wasn't our parrent. Funny they never mentioned Democrats in the scary people speech! Never once did the cop or fireman ever say "if you find a gun don't play with it and tell your folks about it but don't touch it". I was lucky to grow up in a house with guns and learned about safe handling from the time i could walk but most of my friends had never seen a real gun let alone knew how to safely handle one. I think it will take the work of motivated volenteers to push schools to add this to their class time. I don't mean some supper lefty teacher standing in front of a class telling all kids that guns are evil and no one should ever own or touch one but an expert who can demonstrate safe handling and explain that guns are only as dangours as the hands they are in. I toot hunters safety at my middle school but it was after hours in the evening and had to pay for it but it was a great class and requried to hunt in oregon for anyone under the age of 18.