A Challenge To “Gun Safety” Groups – Let’s Do Something Good Together

In A Nation With More Guns Than People, Training In Safe Gun Handling Should Be Required In Schools. If It Saves One Life, Isn’t It Worth It?

(2021-01-28) Gun control groups have dropped the term and now call themselves “gun safety” groups and their restrictions on gun rights “gun safety laws”. But are they really interested in gun safety? I have a challenge for them: Support laws requiring a minimal amount of gun safety training in public schools. Let me be clear: I am NOT talking about bringing guns into the schools and teaching marksmanship. I am talking about recognizing the reality that, at some time in their lives, these kids – as adults, or teenagers - will come into contact with firearms. At least 40% of homes that they live in have firearms in them now. I want them to know the basics of gun handling because it may save their life or the life of someone else.

Many schools have programs aimed at younger children, where the focus is on what to do as a child should they discover a firearm. These programs, such as the NRA’s Eddie Eagle program are great – but I am proposing something different. I want the schools to teach safe gun handling in the same way that the teach them about safe driving. My motivation is exactly the same: The prevention of accidents.

How can this be done?

It could be done via video. I would hope that it would go beyond this, but a video shown once a year to grades 7-12 could do a lot of good.
Inert “training guns”, which are not real and do not look like real guns could also be used.
At most, 1-2 hours of instruction per year should be all that is needed.
Every state’s Fish and Game department currently provides firearms safety training as part of their hunter safety training – they could draft the curriculum.
The law should specify that instruction should neither encourage or discourage gun use or ownership
Parents should be able to “opt out” their kids if they are opposed to the class

If these groups are really supportive of safe gun ownership and use, they should support such a law. If their idea of gun safety is to get rid of all guns, they will oppose it. I think we all know what they will do if such a bill is introduced….