Friday, August 13, 2010
The answer? Nothing. We will learn nothing
From The Huffington Post today:
NRA Instructor Shoots Student: What Can We Learn?
When an NRA safety instructor accidentally shoots a student in one of his classes, is it a teachable moment about guns in America?
I am referring to an incident reported in the Orlando Sentinel in which a person attending a National Rifle Association class for applicants for concealed carry licenses was shot when his instructor's gun accidentally discharged during the class. The bullet penetrated a table before hitting the victim, who fortunately recovered from his wound.
I think it's safe to say that the NRA instructor in this case is unlikely to appear in future "I'm the NRA" promotional ads.
Here we have an individual, who the NRA itself has decided is such an expert in safe gun handling that he can teach a class in it, nevertheless accidentally discharging his weapon in a public place and wounding an innocent person. If this can happen to the instructor, what can we expect from his students, who presumably will be carrying their concealed guns on the streets?
Back to me: We will learn from this, as a nation, exactly what we learned from the Vietnam War--nothing. Again, nothing. Sorry, that's my take on it. I am sadly, frustratingly convinced that's what we'll get from this.
Link to original post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-a-henigan/nra-instructor-shoots-stu_b_680349.html
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6 comments:
We shouldn't be relying nearly entirely on NRA instructors. Everyone should get basic gun safety instruction in public school. Nothing elaborate,-cooper's 4 rules and just enough context to understand them--this is the trigger, this is the muzzle, etc. An hour every other year would be enough, and no real guns should be used.
I agree--we shouldn't be "relying nearly entirely on NRA instructors." I don't think that's what the article was suggesting--at all--nor was I. They asked, if they can't do it right, "If this can happen to the instructor, what can we expect from his students?" Clearly I think it's a good question.
And basic gun safety instruction in public school? Are you out of your mind? (Hypothetical--don't answer that). Math, science, history, civics, etc., need coverage badly. Taking up time w/ gun instruction in public schools---even suggesting it is illogical at least. The teachers barely have time enough now to cover the important things for life, living and employment.
But that's me. I think you're now going to tell me gun safety instruction absolutely has a place in public schools. If so, I can tell you now we'll never agree on that.
have a great weekend,
mr
(forgot to check the email followup button...)
Should we teach basic sex ed, and how to minimize the risk of pregnancy and STD's? How to safely cross a street? Fire safety? DARE?
We can argue whose job all that is, whether schools or parents should be responsible--but we teach all that and more non-academic material now. If we are going to teach all that other stuff, there's no reason other than prejudice to avoid gun safety.
I wrote up what I think every elementary student should know about gun safety. I did it in less than 100 words.
100 words to save lives is too much time?
Is there any reason other than ideological bias that abstinence only education is bad for sex ed, but too extreme for gun safety?
Okay, here's my--and a lot of othere people's--problem with this idea--which I'd never heard before you mentioned it here--of making gun safety available (required?) in schools: When did we become a society in which guns are thought to be needed for all? Since when is it assumed guns should be ubiquitous, unless you're an NRA gun-pusher? Most of us out here don't feel that's necessary, even now. Guns, up until this idea, were assumed to be an option one chose, I thought--not a requirement for living in this modern society.
mr
When did we become a society that sex is thought to be had by all children?
Although children would be better off delaying sex until adulthood, teen sex is too common to ignore, and we should continue to at least teach the basics of safer sex.
Likewise, guns are present in at least 1/3 of US homes, despite the best efforts of gun control advocates. The chance that someone will handle a gun before they have formal firearms training is high enough that everyone should know the bare rudiments of safe gun handling, at least in theory. If nothing else, they should be able to recognize when someone around them is being unsafe.
...unless of course the real goal is elimination of guns using the excuse of poor safety.
Your argument is specious and hollow, at best, really.
We never "became a society that sex is thought to be had by all children".
It is known, though, that all ADULTS do, though, have some form of sex in a normal time, in whatever form.
Using your statistic, with "guns...present in at least 1/3 of US homes", it seems a waste of time, energy and resources for the other 2/3 of us out here to require "firearms education" for all.
have a great weekend,
mr
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