The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is a program from the NRA (National Rifle Association) that teaches children in Pre-K through 3rd grade four important steps to take if they find a gun. It's a simple, easy to remember format:
If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.
It was recently in the news when a young child who had been taught the program found a gun and followed the program.
I am a member of the NRA and I own a firearm. I have been shooting since I was a Boy Scout. I believe in the 2nd Amendment. I also believe in enforcing gun laws and firearm safety. I don't have any children, but my pistol is safely secured at home and I follow all safety rules.
Unfortunately, not everyone in this world follows gun safety rules and there are many illegal guns in our world. As educators, we should be teaching our students more than our curriculum and content and teach them important life skills and safety information.
Anyone can teach the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program and is easily integrated into school curriculum. There are materials available, including workbooks, videos, instructor guides and more. There is a nominal fee for the program, but schools can apply for grant funding for it. It was developed in cooperation with firearms experts and educators.
The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program isn't to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather to promote the protection and safety of children. The program makes no value judgments about firearms, and no firearms are ever used in the program. Like swimming pools, electrical outlets, matchbooks and household poison, they're treated simply as a fact of everyday life. With firearms found in about half of all American households, it's a stance that makes sense.Eddie Eagle is never shown touching a firearm, and he does not promote firearm ownership or use. The program prohibits the use of Eddie Eagle mascots anywhere that guns are present. The Eddie Eagle Program has no agenda other than accident prevention -- ensuring that children stay safe should they encounter a gun. The program never mentions the NRA. Nor does it encourage children to buy guns or to become NRA members. The NRA does not receive any appropriations from Congress, nor is it a trade organization. It is not affiliated with any firearm or ammunition manufacturers or with any businesses that deal in guns and ammunition.
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