tote'ngranny
10-22-2010, 10:28 AM
I received this article through the USACC email about a Toledo, Ohio boy because his grandfather taught him firearm safety pertaining to *found guns* and what to do. Thought I would post this because we should teach our kids and grandkids what to do just in case. It can happen as it did with this boy. This is one case involving firearms that had a very good outcome.
Gun Safety Education Works!
By: Buckeye Firearms Association(10/22/2010)
"A child without that background could have picked up the weapon and accidentally fired it"
When 11 year-old Mason Knannlein found a gun in the yard, he had his grandfather to thank for teaching him what to do.
Mason said he learned two rules about "found" guns from his grandfather, Lawrence "Whitey" Knannlein, a retired Toledo police officer: Tell an adult, and don't leave it unattended. Mr. Knannlein said his second rule actually was "don't touch it," but Mason followed that one too.
From The Toledo Blade article on this incident:
"I'm very proud of him. He did just the right thing," Mason's grandfather said.
For his actions, Mason is expected to receive a junior safety award from Toledo City Council on Nov. 9, Mason's family said.
...Mr. Knannlein said his grandson has been learning about guns and gun safety he was 7, and the boy has been very safety-conscious.
"He really loves to shoot. He fishes with his Dad, and he hunts and shoots with me," Mr. Knannlein said.
A child without that background could have picked up the weapon and accidentally fired it, said the grandfather, who teaches a concealed-carry course at Owens Community College.
"Other kids would have picked it up," Mason agreed. "They might have brought it to school."
Teaching children what to do if they find a gun is imperative for all parents, whether or not they keep a firearm in their home, because the child will not always be in the home. It's always possible for young children to come into unauthorized, unsupervised contact with a firearm, and only proactive education by parents can prevent an accident.
Gun safety training, such as that provided by the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle GunSafeŽ Program, educates children on the same principles used by this Toledo youth.
Created in 1988 by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers, and child psychologists, the program provides pre-K through the third grade children with simple, effective rules to follow should they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting: "If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."
The self-explanatory program includes a student workbook, corresponding instructor guide, reward stickers, posters and parent guides.
If your children haven't been taught what to do if they find a gun, it is your responsibility to teach them.
If your school isn't teaching the Eddie Eagle GunSafeŽ Program, ask the superintendent why not. Anyone can teach the material, and it can be covered in 30 minutes to an hour. Volunteer to do it for them!
Gun Safety Education Works!
By: Buckeye Firearms Association(10/22/2010)
"A child without that background could have picked up the weapon and accidentally fired it"
When 11 year-old Mason Knannlein found a gun in the yard, he had his grandfather to thank for teaching him what to do.
Mason said he learned two rules about "found" guns from his grandfather, Lawrence "Whitey" Knannlein, a retired Toledo police officer: Tell an adult, and don't leave it unattended. Mr. Knannlein said his second rule actually was "don't touch it," but Mason followed that one too.
From The Toledo Blade article on this incident:
"I'm very proud of him. He did just the right thing," Mason's grandfather said.
For his actions, Mason is expected to receive a junior safety award from Toledo City Council on Nov. 9, Mason's family said.
...Mr. Knannlein said his grandson has been learning about guns and gun safety he was 7, and the boy has been very safety-conscious.
"He really loves to shoot. He fishes with his Dad, and he hunts and shoots with me," Mr. Knannlein said.
A child without that background could have picked up the weapon and accidentally fired it, said the grandfather, who teaches a concealed-carry course at Owens Community College.
"Other kids would have picked it up," Mason agreed. "They might have brought it to school."
Teaching children what to do if they find a gun is imperative for all parents, whether or not they keep a firearm in their home, because the child will not always be in the home. It's always possible for young children to come into unauthorized, unsupervised contact with a firearm, and only proactive education by parents can prevent an accident.
Gun safety training, such as that provided by the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle GunSafeŽ Program, educates children on the same principles used by this Toledo youth.
Created in 1988 by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers, and child psychologists, the program provides pre-K through the third grade children with simple, effective rules to follow should they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting: "If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."
The self-explanatory program includes a student workbook, corresponding instructor guide, reward stickers, posters and parent guides.
If your children haven't been taught what to do if they find a gun, it is your responsibility to teach them.
If your school isn't teaching the Eddie Eagle GunSafeŽ Program, ask the superintendent why not. Anyone can teach the material, and it can be covered in 30 minutes to an hour. Volunteer to do it for them!