Iowa school districts educate kids in how to use weapons responsibly, how to respect them

[pipedreams]

“What we do best is educate our kids,” said Superintendent Joel Foster. “We feel if we educate our kids in how to use weapons responsibly, how to respect them, understand it’s not a video game and those sort of things, that maybe we’ll cut down on our chances of having a severe incident.”

https://www.guns.com/news/2018/12/14/iowa-school-districts-add-hunters-ed-course-to-pe-curriculum?fbclid=IwAR0XAQUiTIAvwxPePfwa3TOL9L0qKp5chUg9huhLE5yFXAdElTH55tUEvqk

Some of the comments are interesting:

Was not aware of this.

Edited December 16, 2018 by pipedreams

[janice6]

Knowledge is the answer to fear.

[PATCHMAN]

3 hours ago, janice6 said:

Knowledge is the answer to fear.

Absolutely!  

[janice6]

One of my daughters has said that she isn't interested in guns.  That's OK, my interests and my kids don't have to be the same.  My other 3 kids have CCW's.

One day she called me to ask if I would teach her daughter (My grand Daughter) how to shoot.  I asked her why, since I understood that she (my daughter) wasn't interested in guns?  

She said she had no bad feelings about guns, that she just didn't feel a need for one.  She went on to say that, she values her daughter more that anything and wants to make sure she is as safe as she can be.  this way if sometime she is in the vicinity of a firearm, she will have the knowledge to deal with it safely.  Even if it means a hasty retreat, because she knows enough to question the ability of someone else with one.

Because of her love for her daughter, she want's her to know about guns, how to handle them safely and how to use one competently, if necessary.

I thanked her for her concern for my Grand Daughter, and agreed to do my best to teach her gun safety and use.  We have since had her join us in family range trips. 

This Christmas my Grand Daughter is getting a pistol and all accessories including a safe for part of her present.

[PATCHMAN]

2 hours ago, janice6 said:

One of my daughters has said that she isn't interested in guns.  That's OK, my interests and my kids don't have to be the same.  My other 3 kids have CCW's.

One day she called me to ask if I would teach her daughter (My grand Daughter) how to shoot.  I asked her why, since I understood that she (my daughter) wasn't interested in guns?  

She said she had no bad feelings about guns, that she just didn't feel a need for one.  She went on to say that, she values her daughter more that anything and wants to make sure she is as safe as she can be.  this way if sometime she is in the vicinity of a firearm, she will have the knowledge to deal with it safely.  Even if it means a hasty retreat, because she knows enough to question the ability of someone else with one.

Because of her love for her daughter, she want's her to know about guns, how to handle them safely and how to use one competently, if necessary.

I thanked her for her concern for my Grand Daughter, and agreed to do my best to teach her gun safety and use.  We have since had her join us in family range trips. 

This Christmas my Grand Daughter is getting a pistol and all accessories including a safe for part of her present.

Kudos, sir!  

No question kids have their own personalities and you recognized that!   I have no doubt you're a great dad who raised a bunch of great kids.

 

So, what pistol did you gift the grandkid?     

[janice6]

I should add to my previous post that, this same daughter I referred to as not having a need for guns, is competent with them herself.  When she and her older sister first expressed an interest in shooting, I took them both out target shooting with me.  One day one daughter asked to see the Coke can they were using as a target and exclaimed at how the .22's had shredded it.  The other seemed to view the shot up can as a little disturbing.  I stressed to both that all guns could do irreparable damage, and had to be respected.  The one daughter seemed to withdraw from firearms as time when on.

[janice6]

Just now, PATCHMAN said:

Kudos, sir!  

No question kids have their own personalities and you recognized that!   I have no doubt you're a great dad who raised a bunch of great kids.

 

So, what pistol did you gift the grandkid?     

A couple of factors entered in to my selection.  First, and foremost, I had the guns already.

Second, was the ability to see at a glance that the gun was unloaded without touching it.  

Third, was that to unload the gun, it had to be a safe operation, safer than a dry fire, etc.

Fourth, was the only firearm I had that fulfilled these conditions was the Beretta Tomcat.  It has a safety, and it has a tip up barrel, so unloading it didn't involve using the trigger.

One more unenumerated condition was that it had to be absolutely safe for her mother and father.  Since while she was in/at college, her parents had possession of it.  Storing it with the tip up barrel open, ensured the less skilled that it was unloaded and in a safe condition.

I started each of my daughters (2 of the 3) with the same choice, for the same reason.  The others have since moved on to more effective weaponry, and developed the skill set that I am comfortable with too.   

 

[windowasher]

Someone does not have to be interested in, or a fan of guns to learn how to handle one safely.  Most people I know have no clue how their car works, but they drive one anyway

[steve4102]

When I grew up in the 60's we had firearms training in the school.  It was after class however.

The gym had trap doors at the far end designed for indoor rifle shooting.  

We also were allowed to bring our guns to school, put them in our locker to be used after school in the gym.  With an adult present of course.  Those days are long gone.

Oh, and we all carried folding Buck knives or similar on our belt.