My son made a gun comment in school...

[BADUNAME37]

I have found that, what one person puts in writing, another person can have a completely different view of what the writing (in this case, a letter to the teacher in response to a simple addition of words to a sentence) was intended to say.

In other words, your letter and words can end up being used AGAINST you which would defeat the purpose of your being open and honest about a pretty hot topic these days -- especially in schools, and understandably so.

I think I must agree that, the lesser said, the better. Remember, this letter will likely remain in your child's file through all his school years (and possibly afterward with all the technology today and everything on computers). Who knows which way the governement will turn as it has crazily done how many times over the past ten or twenty years?

 

[Gtone]

I preempted such a note with a face to face discussion with my kids teachers at the beginning of the year. I highly recommend the face-to-face discussion. It allows a quick dialogue between you and the educator. I also followed up with the principal of the school. Yes its a shame that we have to do this, but whatever it takes to protect our kids is what we'll do, right?

 

[makarovnik]

Well done but probably more of an explanation than she deserves. I know, you want to "school her" (pun intended).

It would be nice if these teachers took this that of interest with respect to school bullying but I guess they have selective thinking.

Many think the best policy is to not talk about it or bury their heads in the sand. With regard to different religious practices and the subject of guns I also think it's best to be educated on as many subjects as possible. you know, a "well rounded" education.

 

[ultradoc]

here's to you sir!!

 

[parsimonious_instead]

I think NavyGuy's original post, and Two-Fifty's rewrite were both excellent.
Not much to add, except that paring down while still making your points will be the key here - too much verbiage will simply make their eyes roll up in the back of their heads and dismiss your whole riposte out of hand.
Folks, this is utterly symptomatic of a sick and stealthy trend in public education - the increasing intrusion into our home life by the schools.

 

[RobMoore]

Some of the firearms I own have been bought for the exact purpose of using as a weapon should the need arise. They aren't for target practice, hunting, or competition.

There is nothing wrong with calling a gun a weapon, unless you're THAT concerned with how liberals view you, which is a hopeless cause. You can call them lollipops and they will still want to take them away. I chose to be honest about it.

 

[Vyacheslav]

no offense to any teachers here, but i only ever went to one year of american school and i was shocked at how they seem to go out of there way to hire the most incompetent morons they can find.

 

[danprkr]

NavyGuy - congrats on being WAY more diplomatic than I could have been.

As several have pointed out it really isn't any of their business, and I would have probably just told her that in no uncertain terms. Wouldn't have been the smart thing, but I know me, and well let's just say it wouldn't be the first time I took a bad situation and made it worse.

 

[hapidogbreath]

Wonder what the teacher would have said if she heard this discussion??
6 Yr Daughter " Can I go Deer Hunting with you Daddy? ( with a gleam in her eye)"
Daddy " Do you think you think you could drop the hammer on a Deer and kill it ??? "
6 Yr Daughter " No Daddy I just want to watch you kill It! "

This is the one that helps me Reload, Fix the mower engine and do brake jobs on the cars.

Childhood is something that needs to be lived and experienced and as parents it is up to us to provide a SAFE and enriching environment with as MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES for our kids experience!! The kids asking and the Parents answering.

JMHO

 

[Gouranga]

I thought this was well written and maybe, just maybe the teacher will learn something. Personally, I would also extend an invitation to the range for the teacher. It would give a chance to educate her on the rules of firearm safety, maybe to understand that folks can use guns and not be raving lunatics.

I understand the folks who are a bit taken aback by this letter home but we are not going to change the world by slamming those who question us. There are times when that IS called for, but IMO, this probably is not one of them. If the teacher has a poor response to this, then yeah it may be time to chat with the principal. I personally would ask for a conference with the teacher and chat with her face to face. Leave no room for misinterpretation, and have an interactive discussion.

I have 4 kids on my house and when I chat with folks who think I have guns laying around all over the place, they quickly understand, their kids would have a far easier time grabbing a 6-12 inch kitchen knife in their homes than ever getting near my firearms without me.

 

[gearhead]

Always remember that according to the College Board, the students with the lowest SAT scores are Education majors. I am not disparaging all teachers, as I am an adjunct instructor at two colleges myself, but you may have run across one of those people keeping the statistics depressed!

This story is 100% true. I’m a Mechanical Engineer who graduated from a state Land Grant university in the southeast. At one point early in my senior year a group of us were in the cafeteria and one of my friends spotted a girl he knew sitting at a table with some of her friends. College guys being college guys, he took that as an opportunity for his group of friends to meet her group of friends. During the meal one of the girls asked me what my major was and I told her I was an ME (Mechanical Engineer). She smiled and said, “Oh really? I’m a Sophomore EE major!” She then quickly added that she meant “Elementary Education”, not “Electrical Engineering”. After a minute of small talk she looked in my eyes and asked me, “So, why do you Engineering students have so much trouble applying yourself in school? Do you party all the time?”

I was completely dumbstruck, I think I managed to croak out a few words asking her what she meant by that. She explained, “It’s simple. At this university the College of Engineering has the highest average incoming ACT scores, yet the College of Engineering always has the lowest average GPA of any college in the university. The College of Education on the other hand has the lowest average ACT scores for the incoming Freshmen yet we maintain the highest average GPA of any college in the university! So it’s obvious that you guys don’t apply yourselves like we do when you get to college.”

How do you refute that kind of logic? In her mind it made no difference that Engineering students generally were required to take 2 years of Calculus, another year of higher level math than Calculus, a year and a half of Physics, a year of Chemistry, a year of Thermodynamics, and additional classes in Heat Transfer, Fluid Dynamics, Machine Design, Mechanisms, and several courses on analyzing mechanical and electrical designs. Keep that in mind when you’re trying to reason with an anti who is also a teacher.

 

[Wedge]

I'd keep the response short, neutral and let them know things are okay. I think there is too much info in your response.

Down here she'd have asked what it was and when we were going to the range.

 

[ny32182]

Overall I really like your letter, but I agree with some of the others that I would probably not use the word "weapon", and would cut it down some to one paragraph with the following points:

1) Thanks for your concern.
2) Shooting is part of our lives as a family.
3) Little Johnny will be taught safe gun handling under direct supervision when he is old enough to accept the responsibility.
4) All guns are under lock and key 100% of the time at home.
5) Offer a meeting if there are any further concerns.

If that doesn't alleviate her concerns, nothing you can say will do so and at that point I would just not worry about it anymore.

I know a lot of teachers, and they are damned if they do, damned if they don't on this kind of thing. I don't think you could pay me enough to do their job; much less the $30k they make.

I would NOT fly off the handle with a bunch of tinfoil-hattery stuff, no matter what the teacher ever says.

 

[Blackbeard]

I don't know what the teacher sent to you, but your response is probably too long and too detailed. You don't need to list the safety rules. You need to address the teacher's fears that your kid will have access to a gun and deliberately or accidentally shoot himself or others. If you assure her that your kid does not have access to your weapons, that will probably be enough. Any more is inviting more questions.

 

[KarenTOC]

I like TexasBill's response the best, but I'd still make some changes to one paragraph:

I am sure that you understand that [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] our child is [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] our pride and joy [STRIKE], and that when it comes to the outdoors I want nothing more than for him to embrace and practice firearms safety[/STRIKE]. As parents, we take our responsibilities for safety seriously and keep all firearms in our home stored securely.

 

[gdesloge]

Would a lawyer agree with you putting anything in writing?

Unfortunately, we must think like a lawyer these days. So must bureaucratic officials.

If you are going to address the issue, I would certainly consider doing so in person, and most likely with a school administrator present.

It is not a question of being snarky or defensive, but of protecting yourself.

Good luck -

gd

 

[sansone]

good letter.. maybe lengthy, but good. / my two boys speak gunnie at school, but this part of FL is loaded with deer, hogs & turkey (and hunters)

 

[AKElroy]

I mean no offense, but I would feel like she owes you more of an explanation as to why she is concerned than you owe her.

I agree with this sentiment, but in practice it simply results in someone not being educated. This teacher may have never been exposed to anything other than the negative spin against gun owners. Having a detailed, well reasoned response may actually get her to think. Changing hearts and minds may be time consuming and frustrating, but if we want to preserve our RKBA it is necessary.

Good letter---

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Sorry, but I think it's too bad you feel like you have to explain anything. You shouldn't feel like you have to defend your family and your interests because some second grade teacher got her panties in a bunch.

I agree,unfortunately that IS the world we live in today. I find it ironic and sad that schools teach the Bill of Rights and don't understand it themselves. To the OP,I like your excellent letter. Kudos to you sir!

 

[TimM]

I think it is way too apologetic. He is old enough to shoot a gun. Period.

 

[mstrat]

Sorry, but I think it's too bad you feel like you have to explain anything. You shouldn't feel like you have to defend your family and your interests because some second grade teacher got her panties in a bunch. I've never been to Hampton Roads but your post tells me it's not my kind of place.

Let me explain the other side of the coin:

It all depends on the local culture. I am a former teacher, and teaching in Chicago you better believe I would contact a parent if their child was talking about shooting a gun. It's far more common HERE that a kid shooting a gun is doing so with his "gangsta" brother/cousin/neighbor, than with their responsible law-abiding parent.

Were I in a rural area with little/no gang crime, I would be much less likely to feel the need to contact the parent.

With that being said - even in this area, I would not expect the parent to defend or explain anything! My only concern is that the parent is aware. If the parent is a responsible law-abiding gun owner and is aware of their kid's enthusiasm for firearms, then they know this school paper is nothing to worry about. But that may or may not be the case.

So I just want you, the parent, to be aware that your kid has an interest in (and possibly experience with) guns, just in case you don't already know.

Edit: In short: in my opinion you don't have to explain or reassure the teacher. Simply acknowledge and thank them for taking the time to contact you. If you want to go further and assure them they should not be concerned, it might be a good idea, but that's up to you.

 

[Ryanxia]

You sir are more accomodating than I would be.

When I was a freshman in high school we had to draw a picture of what we hoped we would get for Christmas (yes as a freshman - like it was the 3rd grade or something) I drew a handgun and the teacher said it was not appropriate. I said that is what I am hoping to get. Then added, "You DO realize this is Maine? Right?" End of conversation
Posted via http://whowouldntlikethis.com

Edit: Just noticed the Posted via link, it's the proxy site I'm using at work to get around the web filter
Posted via http://whowouldntlikethis.com

 

[mstrat]

Always remember that according to the College Board, the students with the lowest SAT scores are Education majors. I am not disparaging all teachers, as I am an adjunct instructor at two colleges myself, but you may have run across one of those people keeping the statistics depressed!

While statistically this may be the general trend, I just want to emphasize that this does not apply it to individuals.

After years of working in the private sector, I went and got a Masters in education at a very reputable university. Most of my cohort were also older, experienced, and very well educated. I found that these folks were the brightest, most enthusiastic and wonderful people I have ever known in my life.

They weren't there because of the tired "those who can't do, teach". They were there because they had a genuine desire to give back to the community, improve urban education, and make a positive impact on the lives of underserved youth.

And I've found the same among most teachers I've met in our worst schools. Sure there are a few bad apples who are there for the paycheck. But I truly can't say enough good things about most teachers I know.

 

[NavyGuy]

Well, I replaced weapon with firearm and didn't change anything else. Sent the letter with my son this morning, we'll see. I understand it was long but I wanted to cover all of the bases. Not only did I want to convey my ideas, but let her know the door is open for conversation on this subject. I think my wife and I are going to schedule a parent/teacher conference for both of boys' teachers.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

You should take your boy shooting (if you think he might be up to it). I recently bought a CZ 452 and took my 7 year old (he was 6 then) shooting. He loved it and did very well. I was very impressed.