EckerNet.Com

In an effort to boost hunting in the state, West Virginia is giving gun safety classes to children :

West Virginia is considering a bill to teach schoolchildren how to handle a gun and hunt safely its proponent hopes will increase state revenues from hunting licenses, a state lawmaker said Thursday.

\”We will teach a hunting safety course during their physical education class,\” state senator and bill sponsor Billy Wayne Bailey told AFP. The courses would be imparted in secondary schools, from the eighth to 10th grade (13-16 years of age).

\”They will learn gun safety, the proper use of fire arms. All the weapons will be disabled so there is no chance of discharging,\” he said, adding that the state Senate was expected to take up the bill next week.

Sounds like one of the better ideas government has had. There are some very fundamental skills that are beneficial to our society. Just as CPR classes benefit society as a whole, so does this.

It strikes me as incredibly naive and stupid for parents not to teach their children gun safety, regardless of how they personally feel about them or if they intend have them around. It\’s sort of like giving a child swimming lessons in Minnesota. Even if you never plan on taking them to the beach, shouldn\’t it be a good idea for them to know how to swim….just in case? Same concept with gun safety.

Moreover, one of the fundamental lessons learned in these type of courses is respect for firearms. Firearms are not inherently dangerous, they are tools. But tools with great power. If you respect them and handle them appropriately you won\’t get hurt. Disrespect them and you\’re asking for trouble.

Typically I\’m not a huge fan of society loading up special interests in an already crowded school curriculum, but some things bring a net benefit to the individual child, and society as a whole. I personally believe gun safety to be one of them, and applaud West Virginia. Congrats boys.