Firearm Safety Training in Schools?

[northwesthunter84]

So I got to thinking the other day on my drive to work.  We had the DARE program, we teach kids about strangers and we give health education to young adults, why not teach you kids about firearm safety.  The hunter education programs offered by states do a terrific job at doing this when people are going through the program.  I would almost think that it is a no brainer.  Kids well what do we know, they are naturally inquisitive, will mess around with stuff they shouldn't and are generally drawn to things we say no about.  Ok so on a national level lets not make firearm safety taboo, it needs to be more accessible to everyone.  I'm not saying we need to start parenting other peoples kids, I'm just saying that if its for public safety the option should be there.  Some kids don't have a clue, because they have never been around a firearm.  They watch TV, play video games and have very little understanding of the finality that comes at the end of a mistake with a gun.  I think for young kids we should teach them to stop, don't touch it and go tell a parent.  For older kids if car accident and child birth video are ok why not show similar videos as hunter's education with some firearm safety training.  I would think that a LEO would rather talk to a couple groups of students than have to tell a parent their kid shot themselves.  Do I think it would correct all of the issues, NO, but DARE hasn't stopped drug use, health class hasn't stopped teen pregnancy and kids are still being kidnapped.  The numbers have decreased over the years.  In my book one life is worth it.

As far as the mass shootings and such.  Well, that has to be addressed in a different manner and there are no right answers with that.  Heck we proved it doesn't even require a gun to hurt others.  A kid can do as much damage with a vehicle, knives or explosives. 

[ICEMAN]

Good idea, but unfortunately the left will not have it. Ain't going to happen...

[PolarBear]

My wife is on our local school board and has been trying to get a rifle or pistol team and or training classes for several years now.  Hell, I told them that I would volunteer to teach the classes if needed. I was a competitive shooter and instructor for years.  They keep tuning her down.  She might get an archery club though.  The damn liberals don't want any mention of guns anywhere near school or kids even though we are in a tiny rural town where almost everyone hunts. 

[timberfaller]

Its called "Zero Tolerance".

A better term is "Don't expect a Education Here"

[lokidog]

Its called "Zero Tolerance".

A better term is "Don't expect a Education Here"

 

It is so hypocritical that educators want to educate about everything but firearms, for that it's "No way!". When student teaching in Tumwater back in the 90's, there was some mention of the Eddie Eagle Program but was vehemently opposed by some teachers.  But, then in the two area high schools they had, maybe still have, rifle teams.

My wife is on our local school board and has been trying to get a rifle or pistol team and or training classes for several years now.  Hell, I told them that I would volunteer to teach the classes if needed. I was a competitive shooter and instructor for years.  They keep tuning her down.  She might get an archery club though.  The damn liberals don't want any mention of guns anywhere near school or kids even though we are in a tiny rural town where almost everyone hunts. 

The big sticking point to developing a rifle team is finding an indoor range and then the cost of decent target rifles.  If you can find a range, maybe you can set up a team for the HS kids but just not have it connected to the school.  Once it is established, maybe then you can slide it in as a school team.

I coached in Chehalis for about five years and it is a lot of fun.  The schools that were involved were Black Hills HS, Tumwater HS, W.F. West (Chehalis), Centralia HS, and Shelton HS.  It also allows many students who would not otherwise participate in school sports to be part of a team where there is a team effort but also a substantial amount of individual recognition for accomplishment.

I was also a Girl Scout co-leader and the Girl Scouts would not let me do a shooting activity.  Fortunately, at the time, I was also a certified Instructor so just did it as a HS class that happened to meet during our regular Girl Scout meeting times.  The girls had a blast, so to speak.

Good luck

[pianoman9701]

The Eddie Eagle program is perfect but because it's NRA, forget it. With Billionaires like Michael Blowhard Bloomberg out there telling everyone how evil the NRA is, no one will consider it. It's too bad, too. I'd like to look one in the eye and let them know that ignorance will kill their children. They won't listen.

[sakoshooter]

So I got to thinking the other day on my drive to work.  We had the DARE program, we teach kids about strangers and we give health education to young adults, why not teach you kids about firearm safety.  The hunter education programs offered by states do a terrific job at doing this when people are going through the program.  I would almost think that it is a no brainer.  Kids well what do we know, they are naturally inquisitive, will mess around with stuff they shouldn't and are generally drawn to things we say no about.  Ok so on a national level lets not make firearm safety taboo, it needs to be more accessible to everyone.  I'm not saying we need to start parenting other peoples kids, I'm just saying that if its for public safety the option should be there.  Some kids don't have a clue, because they have never been around a firearm.  They watch TV, play video games and have very little understanding of the finality that comes at the end of a mistake with a gun.  I think for young kids we should teach them to stop, don't touch it and go tell a parent.  For older kids if car accident and child birth video are ok why not show similar videos as hunter's education with some firearm safety training.  I would think that a LEO would rather talk to a couple groups of students than have to tell a parent their kid shot themselves.  Do I think it would correct all of the issues, NO, but DARE hasn't stopped drug use, health class hasn't stopped teen pregnancy and kids are still being kidnapped.  The numbers have decreased over the years.  In my book one life is worth it.

As far as the mass shootings and such.  Well, that has to be addressed in a different manner and there are no right answers with that.  Heck we proved it doesn't even require a gun to hurt others.  A kid can do as much damage with a vehicle, knives or explosives.

I started suggesting "Firearms Education" to our representatives via email and letter form about 6 years ago. I can't even get a response much less a 'good idea' or whatever.
I used 'sex ed' and 'Dare' as examples of proven success stories but can't find a senator or house rep in WA or the US to even respond to my correspondence.
Keep trying, maybe you'll have better luck than I have.