Kids, Guns and COMMONSENSE

As originally published on 10/16/2013 on Jefferson County Tea Party

At the Rally for Common Sense on October 12th, 2013, we were privileged to have Noah O'Grady from "Gun Smart Kids" speak to the patriots in attendance.  Noah is nine years old who has been shooting guns since he was five.  No surprise that his family is pro Second Amendment, and it is evident that his parents are raising their children in "common sense" fashion.

The website "Gun Smart Kids" is a family effort, with the emphasis on the kids driving the message home.  It's primary purpose is to provide
a place for kids to learn gun safety from kids.

Noah has his 'own page',  has had radio interviews, and, prior to the Rally,for Common Sense, spoke at the GRAA (Gun Rights Across America) Rally in Philadelphia.  Click on Noah to find out more about him.

Nick, a seven year old who is also sharing the importance of gun safety, has this message:

                                   "Kids REMEMBER!! A gun can not hurt you unless you touch it so if you ever  see one
                                      STOP, LEAVE THE AREA AND TELL A GROWN UP RIGHT AWAY!!!"

Then there is 'D-Day' Chad, who, at 17 years old, is a volunteer firefighter.   He joined with Noah on this project t:

                                   "Share our knowledge and help spread firearm awareness and proper safety."

Last, but not least, 'Sniper Seth,' an eight year old boy who, diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma at the age of seven, posts one of his dad's lessons:  "Complacency Kills."  Seth writes,

                                   "A firearm is a tool just like a screwdriver or hammer. Each tool serves a purpose and
                                   must  be used responsibly or it can become dangerous."

Before one of you out there on the 'webernets' gets your underwear in a knot, stop-breathe-relax.  Don't jump the gun, so to speak.  Check out the 'Parents Page' where mom Angela O'Grady believes in the "common sense" notion that fostering fear doesn’t help a child; education does.

                                 "We are aware that not everyone is going to agree on the gun control issue.... But we can't imagine 
                                  any parent who would not want their kid to know what to do if they stumbled across a gun....And
                                  with millions of them in the US don't think it can't happen. So even if you are anti-gun and don't
                                   own any guns I urge you to at least let your child see the page titled "For Kids" here on our
                                   website.   If they can't read then read it to them and let them see Nicks video clips so it
                                  hopefully sinks in."

Unfortunately, there are those who have reacted with cruelty and have made attempts to discredit, like one who created a Facebook page, "Snake Handling Smart Kids."   Fortunately, an unintended consequence for the owner of the page was that it triggered a lot of positive feedback and exposure for "Gun Smart Kids."

Personally, Noah's speech prompted me to ask  my three kids, ages 12, 10 and 8, separately the following question:

                                 "If you were outside playing, riding your bike, whatever, what would you do if you found a gun?"

I grew up in a suburban town, but now live in a rural area.  The public school they attend serves a large community of families who own guns for hunting, sport, protection, etc..  So, much to my dismay, all of them told me,

                                                                                         "Bring it to you."

First off, "shame on me" as a parent for assuming they naturally know the common sense thing to do would be to leave it alone and then tell me, or another adult.  Another "my bad" is that it was one of those things that never crossed my mind to teach them, even though it seems simple and obvious.  One could come across a gun anywhere, including an abandoned one in a city park.  I am relieved that this lesson will not be one my children will be learning the hard way.

I am surprised that it is not necessarily addressed in schools as well.  Maybe the assumption is they will learn that elsewhere (like at home...)?  Or it is not considered 'politically correct', while at the same time teaching Kindergarteners about 'alternate lifestyles' and sex should be allowed?  Or is there actually a law prohibiting it (read further down about Missouri's recent legislation)?

Regardless, it is my duty as a parent to teach my children to make the right choices, especially choices that can save lives, including their own. 

It is my belief that "common sense" starts at home, and it serves no purpose to point the blame elsewhere if they grow up without it.
It is also my desire to pay it forward, to share the "Gun Smart Kids" message that I learned, and whose mission is as follows:

1. To teach EVERY American child gun safety, what to do if they come encounter with a firearm and ultimately put an end to accidental injuries and deaths from firearms happening among American children.
2. To push for legislation mandating that gun safety be part of first grade curriculum nation wide.*
3. To allow the littlest voices to be heard in support of preserving their second amendment rights for their future.

*As a conservative, I must note, I do not concur with the second point.  I believe it is not the government's job to mandate curriculum or coax by way of funding ("No Child Left Behind," "Common Core Initiative" anyone?).  Gun safety can be taught at home, no matter what your stance is on owning  firearms.  On that same token, if there are laws preventing schools from teaching kids about this life-saving subject, I support legislation that releases those handcuffs.

For instance, in June of this year, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed into law, HCS/SB 75 , first sponsored by Senator Dan Brown and Representative Eric Burlison.  It allows public and charter schools to teach gun safety to first-graders through courses such as the National Rifle Association's "Eddie Eagle" Gunsafe Program.

Three important things to note from this:

• It is not mandated, putting the control in local hands.
• It stipulates that school personnel and program instructors can not make value judgments about firearms.
• It also states that no school district or charter school can include or use a firearm  or demonstrate the use of a firearm when teaching the program.

Since it is not a mandated, it is up to the citizens of the school district, as it should be, to join together in getting the schools to embrace the program.  Suggestions for success:

• ==> Solicit support through social media, submitting letters to the editor of your local papers, circulate the idea by talking to your neighbors, to groups you belong to.
• ==> Create a petition for proponents to sign ~ don't forget the school teachers ~  and present it to your local School Board.
• ==> Know what the associated costs will be up front, and offer up ideas on how to generate funding.
• ==> Be proactive and ask local businesses and non-profits to help out before you make the presentation so you can counter economic push-back.
• ==> Remember, expenses could be reduced by volunteers willing to be part of the program.
• ==> Of course, engage your local police department as an important  resource.
• ==> Stress the importance of following up the message at home, and at school a few weeks or so later with role-playing to ensure the children have retained what was taught about gun safety.

Whether or not your school has or is willing to add a gun safety program,
remember "common sense" starts at home.

Begin by asking the same question as I did to your children, and your neighbor's children:

                                                                  "What would YOU do if you found a gun?"

                                                                      You may be shocked at what they tell you.

As originally published on 10/16/2013 on Jefferson County Tea Party

At the Rally for Common Sense on October 12th, 2013, we were privileged to have Noah O'Grady from "Gun Smart Kids" speak to the patriots in attendance.  Noah is nine years old who has been shooting guns since he was five.  No surprise that his family is pro Second Amendment, and it is evident that his parents are raising their children in "common sense" fashion.

The website "Gun Smart Kids" is a family effort, with the emphasis on the kids driving the message home.  It's primary purpose is to provide
a place for kids to learn gun safety from kids.

Noah has his 'own page',  has had radio interviews, and, prior to the Rally,for Common Sense, spoke at the GRAA (Gun Rights Across America) Rally in Philadelphia.  Click on Noah to find out more about him.

Nick, a seven year old who is also sharing the importance of gun safety, has this message:

                                   "Kids REMEMBER!! A gun can not hurt you unless you touch it so if you ever  see one
                                      STOP, LEAVE THE AREA AND TELL A GROWN UP RIGHT AWAY!!!"

Then there is 'D-Day' Chad, who, at 17 years old, is a volunteer firefighter.   He joined with Noah on this project t:

                                   "Share our knowledge and help spread firearm awareness and proper safety."

Last, but not least, 'Sniper Seth,' an eight year old boy who, diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma at the age of seven, posts one of his dad's lessons:  "Complacency Kills."  Seth writes,

                                   "A firearm is a tool just like a screwdriver or hammer. Each tool serves a purpose and
                                   must  be used responsibly or it can become dangerous."

Before one of you out there on the 'webernets' gets your underwear in a knot, stop-breathe-relax.  Don't jump the gun, so to speak.  Check out the 'Parents Page' where mom Angela O'Grady believes in the "common sense" notion that fostering fear doesn’t help a child; education does.

                                 "We are aware that not everyone is going to agree on the gun control issue.... But we can't imagine 
                                  any parent who would not want their kid to know what to do if they stumbled across a gun....And
                                  with millions of them in the US don't think it can't happen. So even if you are anti-gun and don't
                                   own any guns I urge you to at least let your child see the page titled "For Kids" here on our
                                   website.   If they can't read then read it to them and let them see Nicks video clips so it
                                  hopefully sinks in."

Unfortunately, there are those who have reacted with cruelty and have made attempts to discredit, like one who created a Facebook page, "Snake Handling Smart Kids."   Fortunately, an unintended consequence for the owner of the page was that it triggered a lot of positive feedback and exposure for "Gun Smart Kids."

Personally, Noah's speech prompted me to ask  my three kids, ages 12, 10 and 8, separately the following question:

                                 "If you were outside playing, riding your bike, whatever, what would you do if you found a gun?"

I grew up in a suburban town, but now live in a rural area.  The public school they attend serves a large community of families who own guns for hunting, sport, protection, etc..  So, much to my dismay, all of them told me,

                                                                                         "Bring it to you."

First off, "shame on me" as a parent for assuming they naturally know the common sense thing to do would be to leave it alone and then tell me, or another adult.  Another "my bad" is that it was one of those things that never crossed my mind to teach them, even though it seems simple and obvious.  One could come across a gun anywhere, including an abandoned one in a city park.  I am relieved that this lesson will not be one my children will be learning the hard way.

I am surprised that it is not necessarily addressed in schools as well.  Maybe the assumption is they will learn that elsewhere (like at home...)?  Or it is not considered 'politically correct', while at the same time teaching Kindergarteners about 'alternate lifestyles' and sex should be allowed?  Or is there actually a law prohibiting it (read further down about Missouri's recent legislation)?

Regardless, it is my duty as a parent to teach my children to make the right choices, especially choices that can save lives, including their own. 

It is my belief that "common sense" starts at home, and it serves no purpose to point the blame elsewhere if they grow up without it.
It is also my desire to pay it forward, to share the "Gun Smart Kids" message that I learned, and whose mission is as follows:

1. To teach EVERY American child gun safety, what to do if they come encounter with a firearm and ultimately put an end to accidental injuries and deaths from firearms happening among American children.
2. To push for legislation mandating that gun safety be part of first grade curriculum nation wide.*
3. To allow the littlest voices to be heard in support of preserving their second amendment rights for their future.

*As a conservative, I must note, I do not concur with the second point.  I believe it is not the government's job to mandate curriculum or coax by way of funding ("No Child Left Behind," "Common Core Initiative" anyone?).  Gun safety can be taught at home, no matter what your stance is on owning  firearms.  On that same token, if there are laws preventing schools from teaching kids about this life-saving subject, I support legislation that releases those handcuffs.

For instance, in June of this year, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed into law, HCS/SB 75 , first sponsored by Senator Dan Brown and Representative Eric Burlison.  It allows public and charter schools to teach gun safety to first-graders through courses such as the National Rifle Association's "Eddie Eagle" Gunsafe Program.

Three important things to note from this:

• It is not mandated, putting the control in local hands.
• It stipulates that school personnel and program instructors can not make value judgments about firearms.
• It also states that no school district or charter school can include or use a firearm  or demonstrate the use of a firearm when teaching the program.

Since it is not a mandated, it is up to the citizens of the school district, as it should be, to join together in getting the schools to embrace the program.  Suggestions for success:

• ==> Solicit support through social media, submitting letters to the editor of your local papers, circulate the idea by talking to your neighbors, to groups you belong to.
• ==> Create a petition for proponents to sign ~ don't forget the school teachers ~  and present it to your local School Board.
• ==> Know what the associated costs will be up front, and offer up ideas on how to generate funding.
• ==> Be proactive and ask local businesses and non-profits to help out before you make the presentation so you can counter economic push-back.
• ==> Remember, expenses could be reduced by volunteers willing to be part of the program.
• ==> Of course, engage your local police department as an important  resource.
• ==> Stress the importance of following up the message at home, and at school a few weeks or so later with role-playing to ensure the children have retained what was taught about gun safety.

Whether or not your school has or is willing to add a gun safety program,
remember "common sense" starts at home.

Begin by asking the same question as I did to your children, and your neighbor's children:

                                                                  "What would YOU do if you found a gun?"

                                                                      You may be shocked at what they tell you.

From Noah at the Rally for Common Sense: "Me an Ann Marie Murrell from PolitiChicks!!!! She is so pretty!!! My mom is gonna be a PolitiChick!!