Special qualifications?

M

Miss Demeanors

New member
My child's school sent home this volunteer form the other day. I filled it out so maybe I can go in once a week to help out the teachers with the computer stuff. On the bottom of the form it asks if there is any special topic/talent/hobby we might want to share or teach. The thought of teaching firearm safety came to mind. Only problem is, I am not certified, nor am I Miss knowledgeable (sp) on firearms. I could easily teach them the simple rules of safety that apply to children though, as I do my own child. Do you think this would be a bad idea seeing that I am not really qualified to do so? I haven't wrote it down yet because I'm still thinking if it's such a good idea or not. Of course, the chances are they wouldn't allow it anyway (God forbid we should teach our children anything about GUNS) plus I really don't want the teacher to label me as some gun nut :D which may not be good for my child. At one point I think it might be better just to shut up (which is hard for me to do ;)) and not even mention firearms along with school, but then I think kids should learn safety of firearms, just simple facts like not to touch a gun, if you see one stop and walk away, get an adult. (Basically the Eddie Eagle thing). Of course there are a bazillion 'soccer' moms that sit in a circle every day after school talking about apple pies and Goochie purses and pretty much already ignore me LOL. If I did this, this could change how other Moms feel about me, which would make it hard for my kid to have 'playdates' because no one will want their kid hanging out with mine. I am kind of in limbo here thinking if I should write that down or not. If I were an instructor or something it would be different, but I am just a Mom that likes to shoot AR's, I don't really care what they think but I have to consider my daughter who is just starting to make friends. (K age) I guess the first week of school they were playing with Legos and one kid made a gun, the teacher told him 'No guns'. Personally I think this is a prime age for kids to know the facts and learn that can not touch a gun, it's not a toy, but we all know others don't feel this way and think we should just tell them guns are evil stay away. Hey and it might even scare off the little boy who keeps telling my daughter he loves her ;).

Any suggestions? I am confused!
 
Your heart's in the right place, your intentions are noble, but... let sleeping dogs lie. Go in, help with the computer lab, whatever, and let the subject develop on its own - then direct it along the proper path.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
Put it on the form. You are not going to bring real guns into the school, just teach them about them and how to handle a situation when they encounter a gun. It's all about safety, not necessarily shooting.

Don't worry about not being "qualified" because you don't have an NRA certificate. I usually find that many of those with the right credentials are no more knowledgable than I on many subjects. Just research the heck out of the topic and know what you'd talk about before you go in to see the kids. Contact the NRA about potential teaching aids.
 
I would look at the local gun shop and see if they offer any classes. Then you might approach the school. I think it would be a great idea. Hopefully the teacher is not too PC but if you do put in time with the computer lab and other projects maybe they will be more receptive to your firearms safety training. Keep up the good work !!!

------------------
"Some people spend an entire liftime wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem."
Semper Fi
 
NO, NO, NO, NO. Did I meantion No..

[MissD] whith the other things you have going on this would be a terrible idea. In your area Firearms are very Un-PC. And while this idea is noble it will come back to bite you in the ass with other situations.

(edited by Coinneach per MissD's request.)

[This message has been edited by Coinneach (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
[MissD], no, don't even bring guns up. They'd reject you out of hand.

As suggested, play up the computer/internet angle...get established then at a later time you can bring in gun safety


(edited by Coinneach per MissD's request.)
------------------
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!



[This message has been edited by Coinneach (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
Me, I did landscaping and gardening at my daughter's school last year. I would say no guns, too controversial for someplace your daughter has to be every day.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Ledbetter
 
Sorry about the requests ;)

Well if y'all see a bunch of little kids coming here, you'll know who sent 'em. :) Just look for a bunch of LOL's and smileys.

Seriously, probably not a good idea right now, maybe in the future. Just thought I could help a few citizens of the future but it could backfire. What a shame that this topic has to be so hidden when it shouldn't. They can teach about drugs and sex but not firearms, then the anti's wonder why there are so many killings. :rolleyes:

Thanks!
 
What a shame! When I was in school we talked about guns, hunting and who shot what. Right out loud! In class no less! This country has deteriorated to the point that you can’t say gun or religion, but you can say daddy has a new boyfriend; mommy had a new girlfriend and they all sleep in the same bed. IT JUST MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------
Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

homes.acmecity.com/rosie/happy/307/

[This message has been edited by Jerry45 (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
I go with not sayin anything. Tough to do but as prior posted, could make it rough on your child. Bad situation; we sometimes, in order to survive, have to blend in with the sheep whether we like it or not.



------------------
Sam I am, grn egs n packin

Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
 
I wouldn't do anything until you're at least confident that you can run an established, proven program like Eddie Eagle. Do what you can. I hope to bring gun safety into my school gradually.

Yes, it is ridiculous that you can't mention guns in school. Of course, (ahem) in MY class, we just got done writing essays on any important campaign issue--and I got quite a few on gun control. Most were against. My cousin wrote a surprising one for gun control; raised by hunters and not shooters, I guess. Well written, though. ;)

[This message has been edited by Don Gwinn (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
Interesting how liberals are big on "safe" sex, but not safe gun usage. Death can come from misshandling of both. Some kids are going to want to play with guns like they do with sex, so why not teach them to have safe guns? :)

------------------
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)


"Freedom is given to the human conditionally, in the assumption of his constant religious responsibility."
(Alexander Solzhenitzyn)
 
Miss D, get the Eddie Eagle info, which includes info on how many awards the program has won, which police agencies use it, etc., and bring it up when you have educated yourself and feel comfortable in the group. Maybe after you have put in some time in the computer lab or checking papers. The NRA will supply the video, coloring books, and stuff free for use in a school. It is very rewarding to teach and know that you may be preventing at terrible accident. I let the adults view the tape and literature first. There is not much chance that it can be taken as anything other than a safety lesson, not a pro-gun deal. I have gotten a charge out of doing the program, then when an adult compliments it, mentioning that the NRA created and supplies the related teaching aids, free. The look on the face is priceless. I got into this for personal reasons, an accidental child shooting I had to deal with, and want to spread the word. Good luck.

------------------
Shamans emerge whenever certain needs remain unanswered...Mark Levy
 
They might react to you the same way my class did when I "dared" to read a bible in my spare time in class. They yelled at me, "There's supposed to be seperation of church and state, so you can't be taught religious subjects in school"

Well, I told them that my teacher should be prosecuted, but they'd have to find him. They were a bit confused and asked who my teacher was and I said, "he's seated at the right hand of the father if that's any hint"

At that point they kicked me out of school for two weeks.

Isn't America grand?

------------------
The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
Sandy,

Your heart is in the right place, regardless of the decision you make, and I respect that.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>(God forbid we should teach our children anything about GUNS)[/quote]

I think maybe ... that I found the problem ... GUNS spelled backwards is SNUG.

Maybe that's what it is ... some folks "feel" they can't "feel snug" around guns. I wonder how "snug" they'd feel if they had a home invasion and reached for the GUNS that they turned in yesterday?

Miss D - I'd leave it alone, at least until they've developed some sense of "fellowship" with you and your other efforts. Somehow I think the first blurt out of the box (on your suggestion/desire) would be ... "Are you a police officer? No? What makes you think we would allow anyone but a police officer to teach this subject?"

Maybe the thing to do is to find like-minded moms around you then push the PD/City hall to offer such a subject. I am almost sure they are in that already (generally ... maybe under Community Policing). But I'll tell you, if I were a kid, I'd prefer the information from a mom - it tends to come more from home and heart - and THAT is really SNUG.

My $.02.

AndyB
 
When I first read your topic my instinct told me to jump in and encourage you to do it. However after reading some of the other responses (most noteably DC's, whose opinions I respect a great deal) I have to say ease into it.
Talk with us here, people on your own board and most especially people like Don, who is in the best position to know. I would talk with the NRA about their program and if possible ask them if they have a gun friendly LEO in the area that teaches the Eddy Eagle program. (The school may be more receptive to an LEO than just a mere mom. <sarcasim> ) In the mean time feel out the teacher and the other moms during the apple pie and Gucci bag conversations. We need to sway all the moms we can and educate the kids.
I'm looking forward to more discussion about this topic as you learn the "players" in the field there.

------------------
Gunslinger

I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
 
Dangus, you could have read the bible in my class (IF you could find any spare time. :D )


Gunslinger, are you talking about moi? What in the world am I in a position to know?
 
Miss D,
I would suggest that you leave it alone for the time being and wait until someone else brings up the topic. When given a chance then express your opinion.
It's a real friggin' shame we have to lay low like this in schools. :sad:

------------------
Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
I think 'Slinger has the best idea MissD. Just do the comp stuff, and try to get a LEO to do the Eddie the Eagle class.
Eric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top