Some interesting light reading, sure to explode some heads.

[PavePusher]

"Author says kids' book on guns conveys 'positive message'


DeWITT - Back when my kids were young, I was required to pull a shift now and then in our parish nursery, supervising the tots at play while their parents attended Mass.

Given the venue, and the times, the toys in the nursery were aggressively anti-violent. Nothing remotely resembling a gun was allowed on the premises. Nonetheless, the boys - always the boys - found ways to shoot at each other. With interlocking building blocks shaped into an "L." With their hands (forefinger as barrel; thumb as hammer). Even with graham crackers chewed into vague gun-like shapes.

Pow! Pow! Pow!

So, maybe trying to ignore the ubiquitousness of firearms in American culture is the wrong approach.

Maybe it's about time somebody wrote a children's book like "My Parents Open Carry." If they're going to carry guns, they may as well learn how - and why. Right?"


More at link: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110311/COLUMNISTS09/103110313/Schneider-Author-says-kids-book-guns-conveys-positive-message-?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

[Atman]

1. As a parent of two sons, the author has a valid point.

We were also very anti-gun when the kids were little. We controlled what they watched on television and movies, already stressed messages of non-violent solutions to problems. But when it came to play time, they'd turn a piece of broccoli into a gun if it was the only thing handy. It's like they beam that shit into their heads from space or something. No matter how hard we tried to insulate them from the gun culture, they'd play shoot-em-up games. I think there is something hard-wired into human males.

Now, as for making a kids book out of the subject of open carry, that's a whole different subject.

[PavePusher]

4. A billion or two year of evolution in action.

If it wasn't guns it would be spears, bows or stone axes.

Homo Sapiens is a claw-less tool user. Tools for self defense (extending range, leverage and force, and thus safety to the individual) probably are hardwired at this point.

[Hoopla Phil]

10. BINGO!! n/t

[cleanhippie]

2. I hear popping sounds, and its not rounds being fired!

Its heads :nuke: EXPLODING!!!!!


You sure called it right!

[Common Sense Party]

3. My mom never let us play with or have toy guns. Not even water guns.

That didn't stop me. When we played Cowboys, I either used my hand or found some branch that could be fashioned into a rifle.

[rl6214]

5. As the parent of 3 boys

I have taught my sons from a very early age proper firearm safety and handling. My oldest is a recent graduate from the US Naval Academy and now an officer and went with me and got his concealed carry at the same time I did. My second son turns 21 this year. I will be giving him a pistol for his birthday and he will get his concealed carry license and my youngest just turned 16 and is every bit as good a shot as his older brothers.

None has ever had a negligent discharge, all are excellent shots and just great, well rounded kids. Wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

[YllwFvr]

6. very good post

smart firearms handling is the best. It removes irrational fear, and in the event they need one, or even come across one somewhere they know exactly what to do. Is it loaded? Is it pointed in a safe direction? Things an uneducated person wouldnt know. Ive seen video of a fellow who found a gun, and looked down the barrel to see if it had bullets, finger on the damn trigger. He didnt shoot himself, and it wasnt loaded. Hasnt he ever seen Die Hard? I make light of it but wow it still makes me cringe to think of it. Very good of you to teach your kids, I think MOST kids should be taught about guns, at least how to handle them safely. Perhaps we would have less accidents from ignorance. The mystery of a gun seems to fade as well when youve shot a few times as well in my experience. Its "shine" becomes dulled.

[VoteProgressive]

8. Ok. But many homes have no guns, or motorcycles, or chain saws!

[VoteProgressive]

7. Why would it explode heads?? Any more than any other book? I think...

You are just trying to start a fight for no reason.

[PavePusher]

9. Or just perhaps an erroneous assumption based on some of the recent hysteria around here.

Or... maybe not.

[VoteProgressive]

11. I am new here but I see over reaction from both sides every day.