My apologies if this article has already been posted. I believe it is an update:
Gun control advocates criticize NRA kids'
video on gun safety
April 25, 2000
Web posted at: 11:48 AM EDT (1548 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gun control advocates are outraged that some city
schoolchildren were shown a National Rifle Association video that uses a cartoon
character called Eddie Eagle to teach about gun safety.
State Sen. Eric Schneiderman, who is in favor of gun control, called the cartoon
a "Joe Camel with feathers," a reference to the camel featured in cigarette
advertising.
In December, a plan to introduce the "Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program" into New
York state's elementary schools was vetoed by Gov. George Pataki. But in
March, a police youth officer showed the video to several fourth-grade classes in
Brooklyn.
Eddie Eagle wears high tops and swoops down on children when he sees them
stumble upon a handgun. Raising his wings, Eddie squawks: "STOP! Don't
touch! Leave the area! Tell an adult!" Besides the safety message, critics say, it
also instills in children the idea that guns are an acceptable and typical aspect of
family life.
City Public Advocate Mark Green said the NRA video was wrong: "I think they
are morally and legally responsible for thousands of deaths a year, in a sense, in
our city and our country, and they should not be anywhere near our kids talking
about guns."
The Eddie Eagle program does not promote firearm ownership or use, NRA
spokesman John Robbins said Monday. "It's purely about gun safety and keeping
kids safe," Robbins said.
Robbins said that the program is taught by law enforcement officers and
elementary school teachers and that 24 governors have passed resolutions
recommending it be taught in their states.
Police Commissioner Howard Safir said the use of the video in Brooklyn was not
sanctioned by the department. The officer, however, will not be disciplined.
"The NRA is absolutely wrong advocating the proliferation of guns," Safir said.
"I'm against that and the NRA's position on it. But I'm certainly not against gun
safety, and I'm certainly not against protecting young people."
School officials did not return a telephone call for comment.
According to the NRA, Eddie Eagle is taught to pre-kindergarten through
sixth-grade children to avoid gun accidents. Since 1988, Eddie Eagle has reached
more than 12 million children in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, the NRA
said.
Gun control advocates criticize NRA kids'
video on gun safety
April 25, 2000
Web posted at: 11:48 AM EDT (1548 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gun control advocates are outraged that some city
schoolchildren were shown a National Rifle Association video that uses a cartoon
character called Eddie Eagle to teach about gun safety.
State Sen. Eric Schneiderman, who is in favor of gun control, called the cartoon
a "Joe Camel with feathers," a reference to the camel featured in cigarette
advertising.
In December, a plan to introduce the "Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program" into New
York state's elementary schools was vetoed by Gov. George Pataki. But in
March, a police youth officer showed the video to several fourth-grade classes in
Brooklyn.
Eddie Eagle wears high tops and swoops down on children when he sees them
stumble upon a handgun. Raising his wings, Eddie squawks: "STOP! Don't
touch! Leave the area! Tell an adult!" Besides the safety message, critics say, it
also instills in children the idea that guns are an acceptable and typical aspect of
family life.
City Public Advocate Mark Green said the NRA video was wrong: "I think they
are morally and legally responsible for thousands of deaths a year, in a sense, in
our city and our country, and they should not be anywhere near our kids talking
about guns."
The Eddie Eagle program does not promote firearm ownership or use, NRA
spokesman John Robbins said Monday. "It's purely about gun safety and keeping
kids safe," Robbins said.
Robbins said that the program is taught by law enforcement officers and
elementary school teachers and that 24 governors have passed resolutions
recommending it be taught in their states.
Police Commissioner Howard Safir said the use of the video in Brooklyn was not
sanctioned by the department. The officer, however, will not be disciplined.
"The NRA is absolutely wrong advocating the proliferation of guns," Safir said.
"I'm against that and the NRA's position on it. But I'm certainly not against gun
safety, and I'm certainly not against protecting young people."
School officials did not return a telephone call for comment.
According to the NRA, Eddie Eagle is taught to pre-kindergarten through
sixth-grade children to avoid gun accidents. Since 1988, Eddie Eagle has reached
more than 12 million children in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, the NRA
said.
