...in elementary school
Law makers in West Virginia recently gave approval to a bill allowing state funded hunting education classes in all schools –Great. Hunting in the United States has lost its popularity as of late, with participation numbers falling from 19.1 million in 1975 to 12.5 million in 2006. And some states are not pleased. Many like, Utah, South Carolina and Nebraska have lowered the minimum age required for hunting. And some have completely eliminated it altogether. Wonderful. Because all we need are eight-year-olds wielding rifles.
The state sponsored hunting education classes will be available for every school that has at least 20 students showing interest. Classes will promote hunting to its participants by suggesting it as an alternate form of exercise and an excellent source for gun safety education. The main driving force behind it though is "preserving culture," a gun lobbyist’s favourite saying.
The argument in support of these new classes is lame. Hunting as being safer then biking and swimming...A needed activity to control the deer population...A way to exercise and enjoy nature simultaneously. I’m not buying it.
Perhaps my common sense is skewed, but please tell me exactly how entering a wooded area in camouflage, with known big game and animals wondering about, and an un-known number of six to ten-year-olds carrying guns is safe? Safer then jumping into your local pool, playing Marco Polo and swimming lengths, under the supervision of at least two trained lifeguards. They must do it differently in West Virginia.
Also, a hunter who claims that what they are doing is an incredibly useful controlling aide for the environment is ignorant. Perhaps if they had not over-hunted the various predators within the region the impending deer population would not have reached such soaring heights. The predator prey relationship in an ecological system relies on natural predators, not just conservatives with rifles.
As for hunting as a form of simultaneous exercise and nature appreciation...HA! If you want to appreciate the beauty of nature while exercising go for a run, or a hike, or a leisurely stroll amidst the forest. Don't stake out atop a platform and kill the very wildlife you’re attempting to admire.
I appreciate the notion of hunting as a pastime for many people living in the United States and Canada. While I do not support or condone it, I'm not naive enough to believe it will cease to exist altogether. However, I do not support the idea of promoting guns within the classroom. Accessibility to firearms is not something to play around with and having them in schools, even for educational purposes, is a grave risk. It only takes one careless mistake around guns before the inevitable will happen and is the classroom really an appropriate arena to house this threat?
As for hunting as a form of simultaneous exercise and nature appreciation...HA! If you want to appreciate the beauty of nature while exercising go for a run, or a hike, or a leisurely stroll amidst the forest. Don't stake out atop a platform and kill the very wildlife you’re attempting to admire.
I appreciate the notion of hunting as a pastime for many people living in the United States and Canada. While I do not support or condone it, I'm not naive enough to believe it will cease to exist altogether. However, I do not support the idea of promoting guns within the classroom. Accessibility to firearms is not something to play around with and having them in schools, even for educational purposes, is a grave risk. It only takes one careless mistake around guns before the inevitable will happen and is the classroom really an appropriate arena to house this threat?
2 comments:
If they're going to do it anyways, isn't it better to teach them how to do it safely?
Sure, i completley agree. People will hunt, so offer classes on hunting and gun safety. But not in the classroom and certainly not to children still in elementary school.
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