Re: Gun training with Cubs
ETSLINTAK@AOL.COM
Thu, 31 Dec 1998 03:35:14 -0500 (EST)
Woodrow Dotson makes some very good points in his post on this subject.
In a message dated 98-12-30 11:34:32 EST, you write:
(snip) << Find a group that will put on an Edie Eagle presentation. For
more
information on this award winning gun safety program, which does not
include any handling of any type of firearm, please go to
http://www.nra.org/eddie/eddiemain.html
Yes Edie Eagle is an NRA program but it teaches these basic laws when
a
child sees a gun.
STOP!
DON'T TOUCH.
LEAVE THE AREA.
TELL AN ADULT.
It has 3 age appropriate programs for this message. With
approximately
one half of the homes in the United states having a firearm present in
them this is an important message to get out. ESPECIALLY TO THOSE
CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN A HOME WHERE FIREARMS ARE NOT PRESENT.
Find an NRA Certified Instructor and have them give a safety talk if
you can not find an organization to put on an Edie Eagle presentation.
They are familiar with this program and will stress the safety aspects
of firearms.
>> (end snip)
Teaching respect and proper handling of firearms not to mention proper
handling of any situation regarding firearms is the best safety program
available.
My dad would take me out periodically to shoot his .22 caliber rifles from the
time I was about 7 or 8. He taught me how to properly handle them and that I
wasn't to be messin with them at any time, period. And it stuck and I never
did go near them without his ok. He also enrolled me in the NRA Hunter safety
course at age 9 or so and I got the full safety training along with several
other kids of various ages.
When my son was 8 I had an opportunity to use a range with no one else present
(no distractions). I asked him if he wanted to shoot my .22 and he was very
interested. The night before we went I brought out the firearms to be used to
give him an introduction to safe handling. After showing him the proper way
to handle the gun, point the muzzle always in a safe direction, and how to
open the action to check if it was loaded, etc. we discussed the reality of
what a improperly handled gun can do to a human body. I tried to
differentiate between what you see on TV and the cartoons and reality,
pointing out the serious consequences of a single mistake.
One of the important points I made was, "Don't ever touch a gun without proper
supervision at home or anywhere." Another point was if he ever was in a
situation where someone improperly brought out a firearm he was to leave
immediately as that took precedent over the requirements to let us know where
he was going. Fortunately that little test hasn't been neccessary, and I
believe that he is well enough versed and doesn't have any unsatisfied
curiosity that he would not let himself get sucked into a dangerous situation.
He must have listened because the next time we went out to shoot, over a year
later, without my saying anything, the first thing he did was open the action
to check if it was loaded. So a little training can go a long way to avoiding
gun "accidents".
Offering a safety training session could go a long ways toward educating your
young men to avoid an unneccesary tragedy. This is similar to teaching young
boys proper use and handling of a pocket knife, which was discussed here
recently, with proper respect and care a dangerous item can be used safely and
that knowledge is a powerful tool.
So if you are planning on doing a training program the largest emphasis must
be on safety and proper handling with the opportunity to shoot the BB guns
dependent on their proper attitude and behavior.
Wishing you all:
HAPPY NEW YEAR
YIS
Ed S.
Redwood City, CA
