American Youth and Firearms

[DHC]

Obama's choice to use children as a backdrop for his gun control announcement today made me wonder about something. What are we doing, as a pro-gun community, to actively engage our youth in shooting sports/activities?

My son and I recently had the good fortune to participate in a DOW sponsored youth hunt, along with several other kids. Earlier in the year my other son participated in another DOW hunt in which 6 other kids were present, including a couple of minority kids from inner-city Denver brought there by a mentor from Denver City Parks. I believe the Civilian Marksmanship Program (http://www.odcmp.com/) sponsors lots of competitions for youth competitors, and then there are the shooting sports in the Olympics.

These kids, and others, have a vested interest in protection of their 2A rights as adults.

Just thinking outloud, but it strikes me that it might be possible to take a page out of Obama's playbook and showcase the American youth that are actively engaged in safe and productive pursuits with firearms.

I know my sons would be willing to say a few words in support of their future (as adults) right to own firearms, as well as describe the positive impacts of living in a household where we have guns.

What do you guys think? Dumb idea? Worth pursuing?

[Dave]

Think the media might spin that into us raising our kids to be crackpot gun nuts who pose a threat to the next generation?

[Dave_L]

I never really grew up around guns other than BB guns. I've done what I can to get others away from the "fear" of them and into the enjoyment of them. I'm amazed at how many people fear them because they've never shot one, touched one, etc. I know when I have kids, they'll understand guns, the potential of them, and what misuse can lead to. I look forward to being able to teach them that kind of stuff.

[hammer03]

Is anyone still doing Appleseed shoots in CO? I just poked around a little and couldn't find anything for 2013.

[Kraven251]

Think the media might spin that into us raising our kids to be crackpot gun nuts who pose a threat to the next generation?

Let them, it makes sense that they would be afraid of someone raised to be responsible and have accountability for their actions.

[Musashi]

I teach kids every other weekend at the range I belong to as part of an juniors program.
Education is key as it is to everything else in this world.
Show a person how things work and the proper way to use them and they won't be afraid.
Besides these kids love it and soak up everything we tell them.

Start local and go from there

[asmo]

I strongly believe that every child should be taught Hunters Ed and Firearm Safety in 6th grade. That was what the whole 'well regulated' part of the 2nd ammendment was about - the gubment bear the expense of providing training to the militia.

Virginia tried to pass a law where the Eddie Eagle program would be taught in all public schools - don't know what happened. I'm sure someone with a lawyer screamed bloody murder and it died.

[StagLefty]

Ask any kid what he looked forward to most at Scout camp. It's always the ranges-shotgun,rifle,and blackpowder. I helped run ranges for 17 years in CO and loved it.

[spqrzilla]

I've been a volunteer with the Division of Parks and Wildlife ( I hate the new name ... ) in Hunter Education for more than a dozen years and have taught over two thousand students, most of them youth, in that time.

[esaabye]

Lot's of them are scheduled...
http://www.appleseedinfo.org/search-states-display.php?qstate=CO&statename=Colorado


January 2013
Pueblo CO Jan 19-Jan 20 Appleseed
Ramah CO Jan 26-Jan 26 Appleseed - KD

February 2013
Ramah CO Feb 16-Feb 17 Appleseed
Gunnison CO Feb 23-Feb 24 Appleseed
Ramah CO Feb 23-Feb 23 Appleseed - KD

March 2013
Boulder CO Mar 02-Mar 03 Appleseed
Ramah CO Mar 09-Mar 10 Appleseed
Byers CO Mar 16-Mar 17 Appleseed
Brighton CO Mar 23-Mar 24 Appleseed

April 2013
Ramah CO Apr 07-Apr 07 Appleseed - KD
Brighton CO Apr 20-Apr 21 Appleseed
Byers CO Apr 20-Apr 21 Appleseed
Pueblo CO Apr 20-Apr 21 Appleseed
Ramah CO Apr 20-Apr 21 Appleseed

May 2013
Ramah CO May 04-May 11 Appleseed - KD
Brighton CO May 11-May 12 LadySeed
Byers CO May 18-May 19 LadySeed
Ramah CO May 18-May 19 Appleseed
Gunnison CO May 25-May 25 Appleseed - KD

June 2013
Ramah CO Jun 01-Jun 02 Appleseed
Brighton CO Jun 08-Jun 09 Appleseed
Gunnison CO Jun 08-Jun 09 Appleseed
Crestone CO Jun 15-Jun 16 Appleseed
Ramah CO Jun 16-Jun 16 Appleseed - KD
Leadville CO Jun 22-Jun 23 Appleseed
Grand Junction CO Jun 29-Jun 30 Appleseed
Pueblo CO Jun 29-Jun 30 Appleseed

July 2013
Byers CO Jul 06-Jul 06 Appleseed - KD
Gunnison CO Jul 06-Jul 07 Appleseed
Ramah CO Jul 13-Jul 14 LadySeed
Ramah CO Jul 21-Jul 21 Appleseed - KD
Brighton CO Jul 27-Jul 28 Appleseed
Grand Junction CO Jul 27-Jul 28 Appleseed

August 2013
Gunnison CO Aug 10-Aug 10 Appleseed - KD
Ramah CO Aug 10-Aug 17 Appleseed - KD
Brighton CO Aug 17-Aug 18 Appleseed
Byers CO Aug 18-Aug 18 Appleseed - KD
Leadville CO Aug 24-Aug 25 Appleseed

September 2013
Brighton CO Sep 14-Sep 15 Appleseed
Ramah CO Sep 14-Sep 15 Appleseed
Byers CO Sep 21-Sep 21 Appleseed - KD
Pueblo CO Sep 21-Sep 22 Appleseed
Crestone CO Sep 28-Sep 29 Appleseed
Ramah CO Sep 28-Sep 29 Appleseed

October 2013
Grand Junction CO Oct 05-Oct 06 Appleseed
Ramah CO Oct 12-Oct 19 Appleseed
Brighton CO Oct 26-Oct 27 Appleseed

November 2013
Ramah CO Nov 09-Nov 10 Appleseed
Byers CO Nov 16-Nov 17 Appleseed

December 2013
Ramah CO Dec 14-Dec 15 Appleseed

[Sparky]

I teach kids every other weekend at the range I belong to as part of an juniors program.
Education is key as it is to everything else in this world.
Show a person how things work and the proper way to use them and they won't be afraid.
Besides these kids love it and soak up everything we tell them.

Start local and go from there

Where is that at? I am taking my daughter shooting for the first time this weekend.