SK>Hi Kevin!
-> Regarding your post requesting input on echo changes, I would like to
-> see the "off-topic" list go away.
SK>
-> Which approach would be in the best interests of the
-> students?  Head-in-sand status quo, or recognize the fact that most
-> housholds in this country own a firearm and show the materials which
-> stress firearms training and safety.
->
->
-> Would this be a political topic or a safety topic?  If political,
-> does it still
-> meed to be addressed due to the safety aspect?  Is there an
-> opportunity to tie the subject in with government or history classes?
-> For instance, one of the local school districts show several anti-gun
-> movies and videos at the 7th grade level, but refuse to show any of
-> the NRA's "Eddie Eagle" program materials.  Which approach would be
-> in the best interests of the
-> students?  Head-in-sand status quo, or recognize the fact that most
-> housholds in this country own a firearm and show the materials which
-> stress firearms training and safety.
SK>I am surprised at your statement "most households in this country own a
  >firearm". To my knowledge, I know no one who owns a gun. Do you have a
  >source to back up this statistic?
I believe it is estimated (by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and 
Firearms) that about half of American households contain firearms.  I'd 
bet that you know gunowners but don't know that they are gunowners.  
They are ordinary people just like you.   BUT, this is going off topic 
isn't it?  So I'll stop.
-> BTW, for those not familiar with "Eddie Eagle", the program boils
-> down to "If you see a gun, don't touch, leave the area, tell a
-> responsible adult."
SK>Thanks for the synopsis. I would've had no idea otherwise.
SK>While it certainly does seem, from what you write, that the school is
  >burying its head in the sand, I (were I an administrator at this school)
  >would at least want to view the materials before I would make a decision
  >about them. Do you know if the admins have viewed these NRA films?
They have in my school, in my classroom.  I teach it like other safety 
topics:  Stop, drop and roll; Stranger danger; Say no to drugs.  The 
purpose is to recognize a dangerous situation, take an appropriate 
action and tell an adult.  "Stop.  Don't touch.  Leave the area.  Tell 
an adult."
I have received nothing but praise and thanks from the adults who have 
visited my lessons.  Even those who are opposed to guns have 
expressed appreciation for the non-political safety emphasis.
ÿ
Rick Voden
Milwaukee, WI
Rick Voden
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