‘Alarmed and Devastated’: Politician Angry After Kids Allowed to Handle SWAT Weapons
- Posted on August 19, 2011 at 6:56am by
Buck Sexton
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The Santa Rosa Police Department gave a brief introduction to SWAT team firearms, and after some local kids handled the unloaded weapons, a few politicians and activists decided the event went too far. 
The kids in question were allowed to touch the weapons with SWAT team supervision at a local police event meant to create dialogue with the surrounding community and to teach basic gun safety to the public.
But community organizer Attila Nagy told Fox News he was concerned the kids might be more inclined to use guns in the future as a result of the basic familiarization effort. Nagy was responsible for the photos you see, which councilwoman Marsha Vas Dupre told her local paper “alarmed and devastated” her.
The Santa Rosa police, for their part, stand behind the event and refuse to give in to some of the hysteria surrounding the gun education effort. Santa Rosa Police Capt. Gary Negri told FoxNews.com that:
“The weapons are rendered safe and are unloaded. We ensure the safety of those weapons…education and gun safety is a component of what we do… we teach kids the difference between a real gun and a Toys R’ Us gun.”
Nagy has said after the event that there was no safety training involved, and that young children were allowed to handle the firearms without any instruction given (though SWAT supervision was apparently watching them at all times). Nagy’s primary complaint seemed to be more how the event was handled than the principle of teaching gun safety.
But Capt. Negri stuck to his guns, so to speak, and still believes the event served a purpose, saying that:
“Gun safety is a part of the discussions we have with the kids. These kids, what do they learn about guns from video games, movies and TV? A lot of the questions we get from kids are way off base… so it’s helpful to have some realistic dialogue.”
It appears a majority of the folks involved in the the Santa Clara outreach event believe in firearms safety and police outreach, but some questions have remained:
Would you let a young child handle an unloaded weapon even with trained supervision watching?
And at what age should a youngster first be taught proper firearms safety?
Over to you, Blaze readers…
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Comments (283)
I_will_say_this_one_more_time
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:01amCripes, when in Boy Scout in the 60′s at camp with had 22 rifles and EVEN EARNED MERIT BADGES for marksmanship. WTF? Professional’s there recruiting. Heck, some of the kids may grow up and become hero’s by saving lives while in SWAT. Give me a break. Mommy State at home, at school within this country.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:18amMust they defile these poor children by exposing them to all those Evil Black Rifles? Now we need an “Assault weapons ban” for SWAT teams!
Report Post »Quick, everyone P A N I C ! ! !
The Voice of Libertarian Reason
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:31amKnowledge is power!
If they teach some kids safe handling and respect for firearms those kids are going to be better off in life. PERIOD.
People fear what they do not understand and clearly Mrs. Dupre and Mrs. Nagy do not understand firearms.
Report Post »The Voice of Libertarian Reason
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:37amOh and Blaze WTF is with using the word ‘Machine Gun’? No one who knows anything about firearms would call the AR15 in the first pic or the 6 round grenade launcher in the second picture machine guns.
Educate youselves too, that way next time you write a headline it doesnt make YOU look ignorant.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:38amI just finished a week at a Christian Camp for children where I taught firearms safety and shooting to boys and girls in Elementary 1(1st and 2nd grade). The children were taught to safely handle .22 cal rifles and the major emphasis was on SAFETY. They were allowed to shoot, under direct one-on-one supervision, at ballons. Every class ended with a lecture on what to do if you find a gun on the street or playground, DO NOT TOUCH IT, DO NOT LET YOUR FRIENDS TOUCH IT, GET AWAY FROM THE AREA AND FIND AN ADULT(A POLICE OFFICER IS BEST) TO COME AND SAFELY REMOVE THE WEAPON. At all times the major emphasis was on safety and the fact that ALL firearms are ALWAYS to be treated as LOADED at ALL times. Start ‘em young and teach them SAFE is what my father taught me and I teach others….Just sayin’
Report Post »godbluff
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:40amLuckily, those who aren’t afraid of guns will encourage the little weak kneed gun haters to cool their jets. I, like you was shown how to use guns when I was 6 in a philly boys club in 1966. Those days are long gone. The think tanks from the UN and the Rand corp would have all guns only in the hands of their minions.
Report Post »Baron_Doom
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:04amHandling a gun does makes you more inclined to handle a gun in the future… but with a lot more knowledge of how to use one properly! What’s the problem here?
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:35amLove the video with the cop that shoots his foot with the glock…
Report Post »Roberto G. Vasquez
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:37amOh no, not another unAmerican COMMUNITY ORGANIZER doing left-wing propaganda work!
Report Post »BenT_Tampa
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:39amWhile in the 8th grade living in GA our school would allow troubled kids to visit the coast guard station for a week. During my time with the coast guard I went to a firing range and handled and fired hand gun(s), M16 and shotguns. I also jumped out of a helicopter and allowed the coast guard personal to practice rescuing me.
Report Post »aerorepairo
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:42amI think the Marsha Vas Dupre office needs a few thousand phone calls today!
Report Post »Bullcop34
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:43amLike most, I was taught at age 6 about guns and was shooting them then. Heck, I got my first BB gun in first grade and TOOK IT TO SHOW AND TELL! My how times have changed. I also took my grandfathers .22 when I was in third grade because I was so proud that it had been handed down to me. This was 78 and 80, so not back in the 20′s like some may think. And I actually grew up and was on a SWAT team and served my country for 14 years in the military…..how twisted am I!?!? I think I need a liberal nanny to take care of me now, NOT!!
Report Post »Progressives_are_useful_idiots
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:03amI find it fascinatingly funny that the progs are more than willing to teach these youngsters about sex and offer free condoms, but not a firearm. Watch for falling IQs…. Demo-crites at work.
Report Post »mattaf14
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:12amI went through scout camp in the 90s, and we still had merit badges in marksmanship (.22′s), skeet (12 and 20 gauge), and black powder. I remember being pretty proud of myself outshooting most of my troop with this giant (at the time) 12 gauge at 13 years old. Somehow I resisted the urge to arm myself to the teeth the next year because I was “familiarized” and roll into my school shooting up the place… funny how that is…
I agree, though, please use accurate reporting. An AR-15 is not a “machine gun”. It’s a semi-automatic rifle– HUGE difference.
The real question, though, is how these cops managed to keep these guns from walking off by themselves down the street and firing indiscriminately into crowds of people.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:05am“The Santa Rosa police, for their part, stand behind the event and refuse to give in to some of the hysteria surrounding the gun education effort.”
Good for them. Tell the prissy hoplophobes to go p!$$ up a rope. Then they can go educate themselves.
Report Post »Misdirection
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:15amAs the man said, “they will be more inclined to use them.” Yeah buddy, more inclined to use them the right way. When you look up to someone and they tell you something, it can be a powerful teaching tool.
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:27amThe reason Freedom lovers’ will win in 2012 is because the extremists are scaring “middle America”. “You don’t train gun safety”, do what eric “the racist”holder does send guns to Mexico to kill Americans and our agents. The libs don’t care a bit about that. Or make sure your kindergarten class know how mainstream it is to be gay.
Vote 2012
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:51amThis is ridiculous, my son is 7 1/2 going into 2nd grade and he’s been to the shooting range several times! He’s got quite a shot too I might add! He has his own .22 we got him for Christmas last year, kids sized. We keep it in my husbands gun safe and he’s only allowed to handle it when his dads with him and he knows how to handle it properly. Heck, he’s even gone squirrel hunting with his dad (oh the humanity! He shoots at squirrels!! He’s gonna be a serial killer some day!!). My daughter is just 3 but has already asked to go hunting, and ya know what? Couple more years and if she still wants to, I’m gonna let her!! I know, somebody better call CYS!!
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:53amEvery year, our city has a Memorial Day celebration where the National Guard comes out and there are tables of weapons. Everyone is encouraged to handle the weapons and learn about them. The Guardmen to attend teach people who to hold and handle them.
“Activists” – notice they didn’t mention the fact they were communist activists?
Report Post »IvanK
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:39pmI get the biggest kick out of liberals in situations like this… These are the sheep that all cry out for help when the wolf comes for them!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:52pmBut community organizer Attila Nagy told Fox News he was concerned the kids might be more inclined to use guns in the future as a result of the basic familiarization effort
Report Post »Someone tell Attila that the same CONSTITUTION that allow free speech Also GUARANTEE CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO OWN AND OPERATE FIREARMS.
Sea Lark
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:59pmCan people just PLEASE quit using WTF. If you can‘t decently write the words either don’t use them or just %$#&* ! Ok. We can fill in the blanks just fine.
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:13pmyeah..ya know right?…i remember that too…do they still do that?…anyways,Yeah don’t let a trained firearms expert show the kids…lets let the loser gang banger down the block show them…these city folk better get over the fear of the gun perty fast…‘cuz it won’t be long ’til we all hafta use’m
Report Post »SkunkWorks
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:25pmAnd at what age should a youngster first be taught proper firearms safety?
The same age that the school system is allowed to teach Marxist and Socialist ideas to kids
Report Post »GIDDIONKANE
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:15pmIs the politician a democrat, Maybe a progressive? They are clearly supervised, get over it! Its politicians like that that is why this country is in such danger of losing its freedoms.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:52pmwithin the context of this event..that is, professional law enforcement teaching firearm safety..there’s absolutely nothing wrong with allowing a child to handle the weapon under the strictest scrutiny of trained professionals who have made sure the guns are safe to handle by the public. The event sounds like a success.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:55pmBy the way SWAT use some very cool weapons today. PDW’s, HK UMPs and G36′s. Any gun enthusiast would have had a blast (no pun intended) handling these weapons. A win/win for the Santa Rosa community, gun enthusiasts, law enforcement and firearm safety.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:46pm.
“Oh, my god, my kid touched a gun, now he’s ruined for life.”
Hey, kid, learn to defend yourself,
Report Post »the way the country is going, you’ll need it.
sahaptan
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 5:20pmWhen I was eleven years old, my grandfather gave me his Enfield .303 sniper rifle that he used in WWll and I treasured that rifle above anything else that was ever given to me. My aunts and uncles all had guns and all of my cousins were taught how to use a gun by the time they were six years old. By the the time we turn ten, we all got .22s for our birthdays. At our school, show and tell, during September, always consisted of what we got during the summer and for the rest of the year it was what we got for our birthdays and Christmas. Most of the time it involved a new gun and we took them to school and showed everyone in our class. After school, our teachers would go with us, out to the shooting range behind the school and we would take turns trying out everyones new gun (guns) including the teachers! Nobody ever got shot, nobody went crazy and tried to kill their classmates and we respected the adults. What the gun control nuts don’t realize is that, if kids don’t know what damage a gun can do, they can and will hurt someone if they get their hands on a weapon. If guns are second nature to kids, then they don’t have any problems with them. Since all of the concealed carry laws have been passed, isn’t it ironic that the crime rates all went down? Isn’t it also rather ironic that accidental deaths went down too. Think, COMMON SENSE IS NOT THE CHANGE THAT OBAMA PROMISED YOU! Don’t be a progressive, it’s time to live by the U.S. Constitutional Law once again!!!!!!
Report Post »M 4 Colt
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 5:48pmWhat did you think would happen, this event happened in California home of the nanny state and from the look of things both of these women believe in the all seeing all knowing nanny state and God forbid you might teach kids about firearms safety that could save their life someday.
Report Post »Ready2Rumble
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:02pmI hope the SWAT team showed them real rifles like the M1918 BAR, M-1 Garand, M-1 Thompson, M-14, and M1919 light machine gun.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:26pmThe NRA has one of the best firearms safety programs out there, the award winning Eddy Eagle Gun Safety program. Gun safety seminars should be required by at least the 3rd grade, probably again in the 8th grade, and probably again around the Junior year of HS. But most importantly, it‘s the parent’s (particularly the Dad) job to teach their kids proper gun handling and hunting ethics.
I bought my first BB gun with my own birthday money when I was about 9 years old. My son got his first BB gun when he was about 8 and his first .22 pump rifle for his 10th Birthday. Naturally gun safety was taught from the getgo. I also instructed my son on the importance of only hunting or shooting with others who exhibited proper gun safety and common sense.
Report Post »nptden
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:51pmI’ll bet Negy, never served our country in the military. She should be more appalled and shocked by her progressive commie buddies that put out all the shooting and killing games and movies. A pinko is always a dumb pinko.
Report Post »papapatriot
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:24amI just took my six year old Grandson to the firing range. He is well schooled in gun safety. At an early age he is exercising his 2nd amendment rights. Not only did we have a great time but there is now one more American citizen who is understanding the Constitutional rights, and unalienable rights that make America the greatest nation on earth. “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples liberty teeth.” – George Washington
Report Post »vidyohs
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:41pmWhy is it no one is making the connection between this tidbit and the recent article about the Islamist training little kids in how to shoot hand guns, rifles, and machine guns.
The people that want to destroy America are teaching their kids combat techniques and training, and in America we have idiots screaming about harming our children because they see a live gun……A REAL LIVE GUN!!!!!!!! OMG!
Stupid stupid stupid.
Report Post »Homeschoolmama
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:26pmBigJay– unfortunately telling a cop may not be the best advice any more. It may just cause the gun owner more hassle for owning a gun that the constitution gave him or her a right to own. And the reason for the hassle is politicians like the ones in the article. Tel the kids to tell and adult and leave the cops out of it. The cops used to uphold the law now they’re just an arm of the nanny state.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:37pm“Community organizer”, enough said.
Report Post »JRntEwing
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:59amBoth my kids were at the rifle range with me while still in diapers. They looked funny in their little hearing protectors. Daughter got a .22 rifle for her 7th birthday and I had to explain why she couldn’t take it to first grade show & tell. Son got a .22 pistol at 9. Both were Scouts. Both are solid citizens at 26 & 30.
Report Post »Although I wouldn’t choose a police officer for basic training, with many city kids that may be the only familiarization they ever get. The picture of the littlest kid shows him touching a 37 mm gas grenade launcher. I don’t see any machine guns pictured.
HorseCrazy
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:04amgood that you taught your kids at an early age. My little man is going with mom when waterfowl season opens. he has been practicing for years with a bb gun and then when he was safe enough and had procedure down, a 22 rifle. Gun safety and training replaces the mystery around firearms and DECREASES the chance of your children hurting others with a gun, stealing your firearms and doing jerk things with their friends and guns. It is amazing the fear liberals have of being a well educated gun handler. I thought educating people was what they were about?
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:24pmJR…that’s a funny story…i remember me and my friends bringing our hunting rifles to school so we could push the woods for deer after we got out…no one thought about clearing out the cafeteria or shooting a teacher… a fight wasn’t settled with a drive by shooting…we had school teach gun safety classes just like drivers ed….if a law enforcement officer isn’t qualified to educate those kids on guns,and gun safety than who is?…these kind of people are fueling the very gun problem they are trying to fix and don’t even realize it
Report Post »R4M0N
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:53amLOL.. Liberals are funny. They claim learning about guns will promote gun use, but they want kids to learn about sex at an early age and claim that will not promote promiscuity.
They want to have their cake and eat it too. So typical…. and hypocritical.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:19amHaha perfect analogy!
Report Post »DizzyBlueBaby
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:28amExcellent analogy, R4MON!!
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:37amAmen my friend
Report Post »RustyElbows
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:25amR4M0N – Best comment yet !!!
Report Post »NOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:36amAbsolutely perfect statement! This is one for everyone to remember and use — with your permission.
Report Post »njconserv
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:52amwith liberals its not about gun safety, or protecting the children cause they really dont care about them, its all about power ,gun control , using child safety is just their cover for theis nafarious schemes
Report Post »grabyrgun
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:23pmyou nailed it. but you must understand ‘common sense’ is not in the liberal mindset…
keep yer powder dry ~ r
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:51amOne day these wacko liberals kids will be standing there with their life threatened by another wacko liberal criminal that they totally enabled, and big brother government will not be standing behind them for protection. As the “noble savage” stands over their dying body their last words will be “Charleton Heston was right”.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:30amWISE
You have given me a good laugh this morning. I can just see someone’s last words being
Report Post »“Charleton Heston was right” lol
biohazard23
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:49amNext thing you know, these idiot liberals will want to put corks on the end of forks for fear that someone might accidentally stab themselves in the face.
How about no jump ropes because some kid might trip and fall?
No more soccer balls because someone might get a concussion if they’re hit in the head.
Baseball? Oh, heaven’s no – they use bats!
Play-doh? Nope. Choking hazard.
Teddy bears? Suffocation hazard.
Shoe laces? Nope – potential for strangulation.
Glass dishes and drinking utensils? No way, laceration hazard.
Bath tubs? Drowning.
Things a liberal WILL PERMIT are as follows:
violent, misogynistic video games for children
unlimited access to porn
abolition of religion with the exception of islam and Wicca
removing the social and legal “stigma” from pedophiles
legalization of drugs
amnesty and benefits for illegals
expanded welfare programs
the Food Police
feelings seminars
elimination of free speech
gender-free preschools
an unarmed populace
and on and on and on……
Report Post »Daddy Hawg
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:34amNew York state alrady outlaws kickball and other such activities for fear of getting hurt.
Report Post »As for the topic, the NRA has a good program for children called Ernie Eagle that teaches the younguns safety. Maybe if more of those that owned firearms taught gun safety at a younger age we would have less accidental shootings to read about in the papers. As you all know the other side jumps all over these events a s a way to tout their anti-gun philosophy.
I grew up with firearms that were stored in a closet without issue. My daughter has been taught how to safely handle firearms from a very young age (she really doesn’t like shooting anything bigger than a .38). Let the family unit teach their children as they should, not the politicians and we would all be better off.
biohazard23
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:50amI heard about the kickball ban. Didn’t they ban tether ball, too? I‘ll bet you can’t find a set of monkey bars anywhere, either, can you? Not only are they unsafe,” but isn’t the name “monkey bars” a veiled racist slur as well? Tee hee!!
If the idiot liberals had their way, this would be Brave New World, 1984, and Animal Farm all rolled into one. I just wanna know when they start trying to put Soma in the food and water supply. Don‘t think they wouldn’t, either.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:48amI’ll tell you what “alarms” and what “devastates” me, and it isn’t weapons. It’s politicians! It is this current sickening, despicable, GODless administration and all the little niggling “wannabe’s” that follow along like dung beetles tidying up afterward. little tiny politician, you are a dung beetle.
DEAR LORD, thank YOU for waking us up. Empower us, LORD JESUS to stand, to speak up and to speak out. Where there is anything that is an abomination (sp?) to YOU, help us have the courage to stand firmly and loudly against it in JESUS’ name, amen.
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:46amI taught my daughter to shoot a .223 varmint rifle when she was eight years old. She was plugging milk jugs at 100 yards by the end of the day. I taught her the principle of “aim small; miss small.”
Report Post »CommonSenseChris
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:46amThe persons against these type of events should look deeper into the stories of the kids shooting others. They will be surprised to find out that not one of them come from a family that teaches gun safety and shooting at a young age…. Just sayin……..
Report Post »2ndAkeepsmefree
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:45amI don’t think this story has anything to do with gun safety. This political hack is not dumb enough to think that these professionals would hand a fully loaded submachine gun to children. She knew that these kids were in no danger of shooting themselves. This was about an anti gun, anti police politician taking a swipe at guns and trying to make the cops look bad.
Report Post »ozzie
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:44am“But community organizer Attila Nagy told Fox News he was concerned the kids might be more inclined to use guns in the future as a result”
These people are insane- It’s a constitutionally protected right. What the guy is saying is similar to expressing concern over a kid that may one day choose to pray in public or be more likely to speak out against government….. people are allowed to use guns in this country!
Report Post »drybackinpi
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:38amI think they should put the kids on a range with targets with silhouettes of guys in turbins and allowed to fire the weapons until they are proficient marksmen. This I believe.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:48amOh my heavens, these poor kids might now be inclined to getting into competitive shooting, want to join the police, or the military.
do you think the same morons that got excited about them handling an unloaded (we treat all of them like they are loaded though) weapon, get excited if the same kid watches violent foul gangster rap, or views pornography on the home computer, or plays video games where you get points for killing a prostitute, and murdering folks?
Give me a break.
Report Post »godbluff
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:47amIt’s idiots like you that are destroying the world. Suppose you wore a turbin? Your statement shows how stupid and ignorant so many still are. I will give you a clue; People from different cultures are DIFFERENT THAN YOU. That doesn’t mean they are evil or hate you. Quite frankly, they most likely just think you’re an idiot; as do I.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:37amThis from the same state that DEMANDSthat the same kid be taught ALL about the njoyus ofrading mommys clost aned playing doctor with little Joey down the street!
Report Post »Meanwhile half way around the world, Habeeb is attending SBMC (Summer Bomb Making Camp).
Future just keeps getting better and better!
cmsmik
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:36amMy father taught me how to shot a 410 shot gun when I was nine years old, and I am girl. There is nothing wrong with letting a child hold a gun, as long as you are teaching them gun safety. These people are gun haters and that is why they are making such a big deal of this!
Report Post »southernpatriot
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:31amAs a country boy I was taught how to handle and respect guns around the age of 10. Mickey is exactly correct in the fact that you have to expose your children to guns early because this will remove the “mystery” and natural curiosity they have. I taught proper safety and handling of guns to all of my children, whom i never had a problem with. Once their curiosity is satisfied and they witness how loud the guns are they will learn to respect any weapon.
Report Post »conservatron
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:38amI agree with what the community organizer said about this potentially making the kids want to handle guns by sparking curiosity. I, however, disagree that this is a bad thing. I didn’t grow up with guns in my home because we were overseas early on, but when I moved back to the US and came to Texas I picked up my first handgun and was hooked after that. I don’t see curiosity in guns (especially at an early age) as a bad thing. It means that you have an opportunity to teach a young American about gun safety and gun rights at an early age. Teach ‘em early and they won’t soon forget.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:24amMy kid will be armed with the sword.
Report Post »daveycrokett
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:31amyou dont bring a knife to a gun fight
Report Post »2ndAkeepsmefree
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:24amSilly nanny statist, anti-gun hysterics. Get a grip lady, this type of dog and pony show is done all over the country on a regular basis, not only by police departments but by federal LE and military as well. Kudos to the captain for standing up to these irrational fools.
Report Post »Crus8r
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:31amAgreed, why the hysteria over guns all the time? I mean jeez, if I lived in England would you be upset if I had my kids handle bats and bricks (since rioters can use them as weapons)? Guns are tools. If you miss handle a chainsaw, you will get hurt or hurt someone else. You can kill someone just as easily with a car. Take the fear out of the weapon and instill a healthy respect for their use. Teach the proper handling and understanding of right and wrong. That way you get more then just responsible gun owners, you get responsible citizens too.
Report Post »Airb0rne4325
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:24amAgree. Guns are tools. Coming from the deep South we have always had guns. Shot my 1st shotgun when I was 5, 20G single-shot. Busted my lip and knocked me down. Got back up and shot it again.
My kids are the same. Oldest child has a BB gun, she’s 6. Middle child is about to turn 5 and he will get his. They help me clean and maintain all my guns and they hunt with me right by my side. Handle the ammo and the mags and are LEARNING the proper way to do these tasks. These children will become adults who will be able to hunt and fish and grow their own food. They will be self-sustaining, independent and resilent. Just like all adults are supposed to be. Not sucking off the teat of Capital Hill. They will be able to provide for themselves and their families when that teat runs dry and it will. I just hope and pray that there is enough time for me to teach them all I can before it does.
Report Post »alsj
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:19amLeftist sissies would rather kill you in the womb or create a welfare state such as they have where their dependents will kill you for sport.
Report Post »txbigfoot
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:31amYou bet they should see them and handle them. The Eddie Eagle NRA Program is all about that. I do the same in my BSA programs. These damn leftist are sickening, They would rather the kids hold needles and rubbers. The police department should have let the kids shoot the weapons with parental supervision. That would have driven the socialist insane.
Report Post »SanRemo1959
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:33amWhich has made me start to second guess my position that abortions are evil and should be totally banned. Maybe keep it legal and free for liberals. Hell, maybe even think of paying them to do it. That’s about all they understand. Before long our entitlement programs wouldn’t be so oppressive and we conservatives might just be able to rule this county for awhile. It’s a thought. Wouldn’t one party rule be nice? We can dream can’t we.
Report Post »GERATMO
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:16amIm going to make sure my kids know how to handle a gun. This should me mandatory for all kids. So many youngsters die a year because they dont know how to handle guns.
Report Post »Rockyspoon
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:15amSo, Marsha Vas Dupre, is your kid more likely to use a knive to kill a friend (or himself) if your kid uses a butcher knife in the kitchen to cut up a roast or celery?
So, Marsha Vas Dupre, is your kid more likely to use marijuana if your kid holds a bag of marijuana at a DARE rally? (Seems like identification/education is part of the gig there.)
So, Marsha Vas Dupre, is your kid more likely to hang themselves (or horrors-perhaps even a friend) if your kid is allowed to practice with a lasso in your back yard?
So, Marsha Vas Dupre, is your kid eventually going to be a drunk because your kid helps bring in the groceries and happens to be carrying the bag that has your 6-pack of beer in it?
This Marsha Vas Dupre isn’t very bright, is she? Sounds like Marsha Vas Dupre is incapable of being a good parent.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:27amCars kill too…no more riding in cars.
Dogs can kill kids…no more petting dogs.
Kids die in clothes dryers…back to clotheslines…oops cant do that, kids die from strangulation.
Kids choke on food…no more food.
Liberals are beyond stupid.
Report Post »Grasshopper42
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:15amTaught all six of my girls gun safety starting around 6-7 years of age. Got guns in the house, satisfy the curiosity with education. They all know how to handle a weapon and hit their target.
Report Post »PATRIOTMAMA
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:39amAbsolutely, if you satisfy their curiousity in a structured and safe way they are WAY less likely to be stupid and start playing with them on their own because they can’t resist the CURIOUSITY. Gun safety was a part of my upbringing and I never had an issue. It’s that it is being glamourized in these kids lives with no reality and real experience and education to balance it out. I was taught,young, just how serious guns were and that I was to never pull that thing out if I wasn’t prepared to “stop” whatever I was aiming at. Both because of the serious nature of what would happen to what I was aiming at and for my own safety. Guns are serious business and I was sufficiently impressed enough of them after that I never had an issue. I also knew that if I ever wanted all I would have to do is ask my parents to let me shoot and they would in a safe way so that I could get a feel for the weapon and learn how it worked, so I never felt the need to sneak it or play around with it. They satisfied my curiousity and therefore made it a NON-ISSUE. Not to mention that this might encourage these kids to a career later on in law enforcement or military.
Everyone knows how boys are and this is a way to give them the respect and encourage the proper use of guns. I applaud this police dept.’s initiative and courage to stand by gun education. Way to go Chief!!! Keep up the great work.
Report Post »SanRemo1959
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:15amMy son fired his first handgun at 3. His first long gun at 4. I encourage everyone to teach their youngsters to fire a weapon. Lord knows we’re all gonna have to be good shots in the very near future. I wish the Santa Rosa police had taken the youngsters to a live fire range. The only true form of gun safety is in the proper and accurate fire of it. Santa Rosa shoulda hired Ted Nugent to run this little “Guns 101” demo. Ole Ted wouldn’t have wussy footed around. He would’ve had them on the range shootin the heck out of paper mache socialists.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:18amTotally agree. I have a 12 year old learning through the scouts. He‘s late because he’s extremely ADHD and we wanted him to mature a bit. My other son, unfortunately will never be able to understand gun safety, though we’ve tried (through speech, not handling). He’s Down Syndrome and autistic.
Report Post »VIKINGDAWG88
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:12amThis community organizer would probably rather teach these kids how to depend on the government for the rest of their lives. That is much more harmful to their health and significantly increases the likelihood that they will become violent.
Report Post »SanRemo1959
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:23amI love this sort of thing. Drives the liberals crazy. I say start teaching kids to shoot in daycare. I would even consider concealed/carry for kids over the age of ten. Especially given all the crazy Columbine copycats in the news lately. Most of whom are nothing but liberal trailer trash I might add. Load em up and strap em on boys. Time for the good guys to win one for a change.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:09amYes I would let a young child handle firearms. It depends on the child. As far as being unloaded all firearms should be handles as loaded. That is what needs to be taught, being a country boy I was hunting by myself by the age of 14.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:16amI didn’t show an interest in guns as a child, but my brother received a shot gun for Christmas when he was 12. There‘s no better time to teach gun safety than when you’re young. I did get the training, never assume a gun is unloaded, never pull a gun unless you intend to use it, never use it unless you intend to kill.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:30amI got my first BB gun at six, my first shoutgun at ten, my first handgun at fourteen.
Report Post »First semiauto…I ain‘t tellin’ if i have one or not. Rob my house and you might see my arsenal.
Nepenthe
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:09amWere there a couple of dogs that the kids could gun down as well? Maybe you also took them around the neighborhood and allowed them to kick in some doors of some random houses and then teaching them how to not reimburse the innocent residents for the damages caused?
Report Post »saltydog1911
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:11amThe innocent gang bangers will be protected by the leftist d-bags like you.
Report Post »Big Mickey
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:02amMyself, as a child, and my children were handling guns from the time we were 3 or 4 years old — with proper supervision, of course. My first lesson was (and is, even with my grand kids) “Don’t touch unless I say it is okay.” The second lesson is: All guns are always loaded. The third is: Don’t point it at anything it can hurt. The litany continues until the lesson is learned. Handling them early takes the mystery out of them.
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:08amWell said Mickey! Teach them early and often.
Report Post »Tifn8r
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:15amSame here Mickey. When they’re old enough to be interested, they’re old enough to start learning the dangers of guns. They’re not “fun toys”. They’re weapons. Teach them to be safe, to properly handle them, properly use and maintain them, and to respect what a weapon can do. Once they’ve learned that, you don‘t have to hide them or panic every time they see one on tv or play a video game where they’re shooting people for fun.
Report Post »By the way – where does this politician stand on the video games that teach kids to engage in mass murder? Just wondering….
txwheels
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:25amWell said Mickey. All three of our sons were on the range with me by age 5. They were taught proper safety and firing of both handguns and long guns, and I’m doing the same thing with our grandchildren.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:35amYou’re correct Mickey. My guess is, they will exploit this. Someone will introduce a bill to prevent children under 18 from handling guns (because “it promotes violence, or it’s too dangerous, or children just are mature enough to handle them”). The evils of guns will be subtlely introduced into school legislation, or videos like “The Story of Stuff.”
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