UK, Here we come!!

[Waitone]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050612/D8ALPC980.html

Anti-BB Gun Project Deemed Too Dangerous

Jun 11, 9:55 PM (ET)

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Two eighth-graders who spent months working on a science project to prove how dangerous BB guns can be were disqualified from the state middle school science fair. The reason for the dismissal: BB guns are too dangerous.

Nathan C. Woodard and Nathaniel A. Gorlin-Crenshaw spent seven months researching and testing their hypothesis that BB guns can be deadly and should not be used by children.

The students spent about $200 on ballistics gelatin, which has the same density and consistency as human flesh, to use during their tests.

Nancy G. Degon, vice president of Massachusetts State Science Fair Inc. and co-chair of the middle-school fair, said fair rules prohibit hazardous substances and devices.

"The scientific review committee does not consider science projects involving firearms to be safe for middle school students," Degon said.

The boys were invited to present their findings to some judges and receive a certificate of accomplishment, but they rejected the offer because they were not allowed to compete.

"I was really disappointed," Woodard said. "We had a good point to prove."

 

[Don Gwinn]

I heard this on the radio last night.

I think it's an important lesson for these kids to learn. Pay attention, boys!
THEY DON'T CARE if you were trying to improve safety (and succeeding.)

They only care that you brought EVIL TOTEMS into the tribal circle.

 

[dev_null]

Don brings up an interesting point: it'd be fascinating to see an anthropological study on guns as taboo items.

 

[Old Fuff]

I know of another instance where a student was demonstrating reloading shotgun shells. This was under adult supervision, and cornmeal was substituted for gunpowder. Made no difference. Some sheeple parents protested and the exhibit was withdrawn.

We live in sad times ... :banghead:

 

[GT]

I'd say the gun-banning little dorks screwed their own karma.

WGACA.


G

 

[critter]

Sadly, in most public schools, ignorence is NOT confined to the student body!

 

[David W. Gay]

BB guns = firearms?

"The scientific review committee does not consider science projects involving firearms to be safe for middle school students," Degon said.

So, BB guns are considered firearms?

...

 

[El Tejon]

In some states, yes, they are considered firearms.

 

[boofus]

What do you mean UK here we come?

massholchusetts is pretty much an island off the coast of England already. I think they finally decided to be nice little subjects and pay the crown all the back taxes they owe for tea.

 

[Standing Wolf]

So, BB guns are considered firearms?

They weren't when I was a kid; the trend, however, seems to be toward regarding them as such.

That said™, when I was a kid, nobody would have thought of trying to commit a real robbery with a BB gun.

 

[Mr. X]

massholchusetts is pretty much an island off the coast of England already. I think they finally decided to be nice little subjects and pay the crown all the back taxes they owe for tea.

It isn't NEW England for nothing, ya know.

 

[armedandsafe]

"If it looks like a duck" it no longer has to quack or walk.

Pops

 

[geekWithA.45]

BB guns are legally classed as firearms in NJ.

PAINTBALL guns were originally classed as firearms as well, until a paintball gun biz spent an umpteen bajillion dollars fighting it in court for 5 years.

 

[Matthew748]

Whats wrong with those kids? When I was little my dad got a whole summer's worth of yard out of me in exchange for a Benjamin air rifle. You would think that their "study" would try to prove that BB and pellet guns are suitable for boys and girls. Let this be proof to any that doubt that the modern liberals have given up on us and are trying to poison the youth.

 

[Godfather]

I know of one kid who died using a BB gun- he held it to his temple and pulled the trigger. I know of more people killed on bike than with BB guns.

My friend and I (wearing goggles) use BB guns as cheap paintball guns in the woods. 1,2 pumps and no headshots. Never even got a welt yet.

Doesn't "firearm" include "fire"?

 

[larry starling]

I'm glad the little anti gun punks didnt get allowed to compete! My view on this is, There parents are more than likely part of the anti gun crowd and this was some sort of hidden political statement behind there project! Future liberal punks in training!

 

[hayseed]

you knew it was coming, so lets all say it together...

YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT, KID!!!!!

sorry.

 

[Third_Rail]

I live in MA, and BB guns aren't considered firearms.


This is what we call: BS.

 

[Zundfolge]

I'd say the gun-banning little dorks screwed their own karma.

I agree ... these two kids where trying to prove that BB guns where too dangerous for the serf children ... they got to learn that when they attempt to take the rights of their fellow citizens away that they lose their rights too.


I wish I was an 8th grader just so I could knock one of these little nazis down and take their lunch money.

 

[griz]

Did the project as presented have a BB gun in it? I'm wondering if they outlaw projects about guns or merely projects with guns.

Anyway, I wonder if this kind of thing will eventually have the opposite effect? If the parents point out the obvious hypocricy in the schools position, the kids might conclude that the schools don't know what they are talking about. Then again, the parents would also have to be smart enough to figure it out, and that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[zahc]

these two kids where trying to prove that BB guns where too dangerous for the serf children

Wow I wouldn't jump to such conclusions. I assumed they were trying to show that BB guns were dangerous and to be regarded as such. Far too many people regard BB guns as toys and think you can just shoot people with them.

When I was growing up I had a BB gun and was taught that it was dangerous and to be treated with the same respect and safty rules as 'real' guns.


BB guns are not toys.

 

[Zundfolge]

Wow I wouldn't jump to such conclusions.

I'm not jumping to any conclusions.

Read the actual words, not "between the lines"

Nathan C. Woodard and Nathaniel A. Gorlin-Crenshaw spent seven months researching and testing their hypothesis that BB guns can be deadly and should not be used by children.

 

[zahc]

Is that what the kids said? No, that's what the reporter said. It's quite possibly a generalization the reporter made. I'm not sticking up for the kids but I used to work for a newspaper and frankly I just don't believe anything I read in the news the way it's written.

 

[DWS1117]

It seems appropriate that ans anti-gun project was canceled by anti-gun policies. A little poetic justice perhaps. They're so anti they can't even talk about how bad they are.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Nancy G. Degon, vice president of Massachusetts State Science Fair Inc. and co-chair of the middle-school fair, said fair rules prohibit hazardous substances and devices.

I call BS. They were disqualified because the organizers don't like guns.

Here are the rules: http://www.scifair.com/rules.htm

Here are some things that are allowed, provided you fill out the right forms, get supervision, and obey the law:

Pathogenic agents

Pathogenic agents are disease causing, or potential disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, and others.

...

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances, including DEA-classed substances, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco, must be acquired and used according to existing local, state and federal laws. Student researchers must adhere to all regulations governing controlled substances. Production of alcohol is federally regulated and students must contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for regulations and permission. Students under 21 years of age are prohibited by federal laws from purchasing and or handling smokeless powder or black powder for science projects.

...

Hazardous Substances or Devices

Students must adhere to federal and state regulations governing hazardous substances or devices. A Designated Supervisor must supervise any experiments involving hazardous substances or devices.

...

Explosive, highly toxic, radioactive, carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals are of special concern. Knowledge of proper safety standards for each chemical including toxicity data is needed. All students must follow proper handling techniques and disposal methods.

The only explanation that would justify their being kicked out is not obtaining the proper permission and supervision.



Anyway, aren't most things in science dangerous if mishandled, yet quite safe if approached with the proper respect?

The little twerps got what they deserved, but frankly, they were more likely to injure themselves cuttling out letters with an X-acto knife while making their science fair display.