Bright the day, Zaynab!
Monday September 09 1996 12:54, Zaynab Richmond wrote to Glen Todd:
GT>> While we're on the subject, though, how many other people here think,
GT>> as we do, that firearms and other weapons training _should_ be a
GT>> mandantory part homeschooling or other educational curriculae?
ZR> Well.  I'm not into weapons and firearms, and haven't been planning to
ZR> teach about them.  What exactly are you planning to teach your children
ZR> about them??...how to use them, safety precautions, or what??  
nsidering
All of the above; basic safety rules, care and maintaining of, and range and 
field qualification with.   Eventually I'd like them to at least have the 
academic knowlege of how to build a black powder flintlock rifle from 
scratch, including making balls and powder.    Same goes for crossbows, 
longbows, and edged and other close quarters weapons.   I don't know that 
they'll need it; OTOH I don't know that they won't, and when you _DO_ need it 
it's way too late to learn.
ZR> the number of children that are accidentally killed or injured by them
ZR> every year, it seems that words of caution /should/ be included in
ZR> elementary education.
But of course.
ZR> We don't have guns here, but we do have bullet holes in the front of
ZR> our  home due to a drive-by shooting last March.  Someone was shooting
ZR> at people who were loitering in front of our home, and my son was only
ZR> 15 feet away, watching TV. :(  I was so angry, I called the local
ZR> paper and they did a front page story with our pictures... because I
ZR> wanted the idiot with the gun to /know/ who it was he almost killed
ZR> due to his irresponsible action.
Very valid point, and a prime example of _uneducated_ and irresponsible use. 
One thing that firearms education _DOES_ teach is that a firearm is not a 
magic wand; just having one and waving it around doesn't make you some kind 
of super-being.   (A myth perpetuated by too many cop shows, Rambo-esque 
Hollywood movies, and the like.)   You learn that it is a _tool_, one with 
specific uses, limitations, strengths, and weaknesses.    A very useful 
lesson, IMHO, even of the student will never again touch one.
Do bear in mind, also, that my kids are older (10, 13, and 15), and that we 
live in a rural area (total county population ca. 15,000).   That, however, 
doesn't change the basics, just the specific circumstances.
                                        Wind to thy wings,
                                                        Glen
... Gather 'round like cattle and ye shall be herd.
--- GoldED/386 2.50+
---------------