Guns don't kill people ....

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

What leads you to say this ?

The federal school zone gun ban leading to the elimination of high school rifle teams would be one example. Was it Spex who posted about his kid sneaking around town with a airsoft rifle leading to a policeman at the door? Spex is probably the most anti-gun American poster here yet he allowed his child to engage in a very dangerous activity with what appeared to be a firearm. Irresponsible behavior with firearms goes across the political spectrum, but the left uses shaming to push ownership underground making ownership less safe. The "community" of gun owners becomes a hardened faction unattractive to many of us. Of course when I look at the right wing douches with their automatics on the cool weapons thread, I am not reassured about the rights' commitment to gun safety either.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Griff

. Was it Spex who posted about his kid sneaking around town with a airsoft rifle leading to a policeman at the door? Spex is probably the most anti-gun American poster here yet he allowed his child to engage in a very dangerous activity with what appeared to be a firearm.

Just for clarification:
17 year old walking unsneakily with a non-lethal "toy" without my advice or consent.

I have no issue with rifles/shotguns being used for protection or sport/hunting, unless the prey is human. I object to the ease which people can murder high numbers of innocents. That's all.

[Griff]

Would it be fair to say, not sneaking with a non-lethal toy which looks like the real thing?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Griff

Would it be fair to say, not sneaking with a non-lethal toy which looks like the real thing?

sure, But I wouldn't to characterize it as a "very dangerous activity".

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

sure, But I wouldn't to characterize it as a "very dangerous activity".

Yet someone called the police. Perception is reality. People are afraid of guns.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by BigV

your analogy about power tools is a good one. I'm careful when I use them, but I'm careful anyhow.

Says the man who used a chainsaw on a ladder like Conan ...

Originally Posted by Griff

Spex who posted about his kid sneaking around town with a airsoft rifle leading to a policeman at the door?

Originally Posted by spexx

But I wouldn't to characterize it as a "very dangerous activity".

Therein lies the problem. Guns are NOT toys - even fake ones. Especially as dusk or the waning hours of daylight. What he did was not only "very dangerous" it was incredibly stupid. VERY LUCKY to have not been met by an overzealous neighbor or rookie cop.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by classicman

Therein lies the problem. Guns are NOT toys - even fake ones. Especially as dusk or the waning hours of daylight. What he did was not only "very dangerous" it was incredibly stupid. VERY LUCKY to have not been met by an overzealous neighbor or rookie cop.

You're right. Better get those handguns away from "overzealous neighbor"s. I guess they didn't have guns, or they would have shot, instead of calling the cops.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by classicman

Says the man who used a chainsaw on a ladder like Conan ...

--snip

Exactly!!

**extra** careful, otherwise, I'd've been injured. Injured bad.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Griff

The federal school zone gun ban leading to the elimination of high school rifle teams would be one example.<snip>

I had not heard of such a ban, so can you give a link or two ?

There was a ban by some local school boards after the Columnbine shootings.
But in a brief Google search, I haven't yet found such a ban.
There was the Assault Rifle ban in the late 1990's, but that law expired and not re-newed.

OTOH, a Google search for school rifle teams turned up several links,
and here are two, Connecticut and California, and I'm sure there are more...
Middletown Press
Serving Middletown, CT
JIM BRANSFIELD
March 09, 2011

Xavier High School offers rifle team

MIDDLETOWN — It’s many places, it’s a sport in decline, but not at Xavier High School.
The Falcons’ rifle team continues to thrive and according to coach Aaron King,
Xavier’s team is the largest in the state with 45 members.<snip>

“In the state competition there were 50 kids from the five teams,
so that took more than four hours to complete,” said King.<snip>

There are three leagues in the state and the champion of each —
Xavier didn’t win its league, the Quinnipiac
— and two wild cards make up the five teams in state competition.<snip>

“We’ve had no political interference or any sort of argument
brought to me that this isn’t something we should be doing.
It’s very popular with the kids and it’s worthwhile.”

------------

Wickenburg HS: (Calif)
Clubs and School Activities. (Calendar 2012)

We're proud of our Athletics program here at Wickenburg High.
The W.H.S. coed Rifle Team shoots AR 15's and has been shooting high power rifles for several years.
We practice twice a week, year round.
We participate in team and individual shooting competitions throughout the year.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Eddie Eagle says:

If you see a gun:
STOP!
Don’t Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.

Begun in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program has reached more than 25 million children – in all 50 states. This program was developed through the combined efforts of such qualified professionals as clinical psychologists, reading specialists, teachers, curriculum specialists, urban housing safety officials, and law enforcement personnel.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Eddie Eagle says:

If you see a gun:
STOP!
Don’t Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.

Yes xoB, I'm familiar with this NRA program, and would favor it being used more.
But presentations are pretty scarce events as far as they go
... and it are often one-time presentations for any particular group of kids.
Again, with all their $, does the NRA really need to charge for the materials.

Radio and TV PSA's would reach many more kids, their parents, and the people who have guns in their house.

Repetition is one key to learning, and it's not just kids who need to learn gun safety.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Yes xoB, I'm familiar with this NRA program, and would favor it being used more.
But presentations are pretty scarce events as far as they go
... and it are often one-time presentations for any particular group of kids.
Again, with all their $, does the NRA really need to charge for the materials.

Radio and TV PSA's would reach many more kids, their parents, and the people who have guns in their house.

Repetition is one key to learning, and it's not just kids who need to learn gun safety.

They don't do a traveling dog & pony show, they're making a structured program available for local initiatives. Really the only way it can be effective is getting the parents involved. Otherwise they send their kids to one of these presentations, like they would to the Saturday matinée, and won't have a clue what the kid saw, or retained. Plenty of parents could use the training too.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

I had not heard of such a ban, so can you give a link or two ?

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990

If you read the wiki, it was found unconstitutional then altered slightly. I'd guess your rifle teams are off-campus activities.