Quote:I'm just gonna throw this out there.. I am willing to bet most of you remember exactly where you were when Columbine went down. I know I do. It was an event so senseless and tragic I equate it with the Oklahoma City bombing (I also remember exactly where I was for that). Regardless of what side of this argument you are on, isn't it a bit sad that these are becoming so commonplace that we don't even remember all the names or places so clearly? Aurora.. Oh yeah. How could I forget Sandy Hook? Just saying..

 

Let me offer this perspective.  As someone born and raised prior to cable television, violent movies and video games and the internet, we were taught about things.  One of the things taught to me was gun safety and proper use when I was in 5th grade.  We were offered a Hunter's Safety Course at our school taught by our PE coach.  Part of the class involved real guns and demonstrations on how to properly handle, shoot and take care of them.  This took place in my elementary school cafeteria.  The last part of the course involved actually going out to the "range" to shoot different firearms.  Our "range" was actually out in the desert (hills west of Albuquerque, NM).

 

After successfully completing the course and firing real guns, we got our certificate which enabled us to be able to acquire a hunting license.  As a 10 year old I was deemed responsible enough to carry a weapon to go out hunting.  I was also able to go to a firing range to shoot any weapon legally.

 

Today in schools, kids get suspended or even expelled for making their fingers look like a gun or biting a pop tart into the shape of a gun.  Gun education isn't allowed in schools anymore.  People are afraid of guns and why?  Perhaps the movies shown on cable TV and the internet.  Perhaps part of the problem is violent video games that kids play today.

 

I do believe that part of the problem is proper education.

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