Don't teach my kid gun safety!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Don't teach my kid gun safety!!
26
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 9:14am

A Texas mother is so opposed to guns that she objects to her child being taught the basics of gun safety (1. Don't touch it. 2) Stop what you're doing. 3) Call an adult).


Video: http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=39173@ktvt.dayport.com


http://cbs11tv.com/business/education/NRA.Coloring.Book.2.945486.html



Feb 27, 2009 3:21 pm US/Central

NRA Coloring Book Has Garland Mother Fired Up


Reporting
Jay Gormley

GARLAND (CBS 11 News) ―





Click to enlarge


KTVT / KTXA


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Samone Howe of Garland brought home what appeared to be a typical coloring book; until her mom decided to page through it.

"Not only do I think it's inappropriate to provide this information to my 5-year-old, but this is a program published by the NRA," said Nicola Howe, Samone's mother.

The coloring book includes illustrations of handguns and rifles.

"Having pictures of guns that children color in I think is sending the wrong message," said Howe.

The book is called Gun Safety with Eddie Eagle and it's published by the NRA. It's part of the Garland Independent School District's Health and Safety Curriculum.

"If a student comes across a weapon, they're supposed to stop, don't touch the weapon and then run away and tell an adult. Those are the parts that are taught," said Reavis Wortham with Garland I.S.D.

Howe doesn't see it as deterrent. She believes it only encourages curiosity.

"At 5 years old, anytime you tell a child not to touch something, that's exactly what they do. It's in their nature to be curious and to touch and handle things," said Howe.

Samone attends kindergarten at Sewell Elementary School. Not only did she get a coloring book, but her class also watched a video featuring Eddie Eagle.

"Gun ownership, control and safety are hot topics as well. It just simply has no place in our school systems," said Howe.

The district stresses that gun safety is only one part of the curriculum. Teachers also spend days even weeks talking about life jackets, bicycle safety, car safety and what to do if confronted by a stranger.

Garland school officials say the safety curriculum is 10 years old and this is the first complaint the district has received since it began.


 


 

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martinisnsushi - living the good life since 1963

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2008
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 11:42am
Some people want absolutely nothing to do with firearms, and that includes even something as safety oriented as telling kids not to touch one if they come across it and go tell an adult about it.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 11:50am

Actually, I don't agree with this mother for the most part.


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2008
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 12:00pm
To my mind kids that age are more likely to pay attention to what's in a coloring book than many other teaching methods.

 


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Community Leader
Registered: 04-05-2002
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 3:46pm
I agree. Sticking your head in the sand won't make it go away.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 3:56pm
Maybe an adult form of 'colouring book' should be sent home to parents warning them to keep their firearms out of the reach of their children. Generally accidents happen because adults are careless.

 


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Community Leader
Registered: 04-05-2002
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 4:03pm
I think parents who are careful are already careful and those who aren't don't care.





iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 4:18pm

But, the coloring thing is unnecessary.

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 4:26pm

What does coloring guns or whatever have to do with learning that?


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 4:41pm

My DD's schools managed to teach them quite well without the use of coloring books.


Community Leader
Registered: 04-05-2002
Mon, 03-02-2009 - 5:38pm

"When I was in Child Protective Services, we kept all sorts of educational coloring books and comic books handy for when we have young kids around. Very common."


Along those lines then, did you have pictures of pornography for kids to color or did they get it without the naked shots? It seems like acting out what to do around guns would be more helpful than coloring and kids get into acting. Just as it would be more helpful for kids to act out what to do when approached by strangers rather than coloring in pictures of strangers in cars w/ candy.











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