Gun Safety Through Education

Knowledge is power. Nowhere is that more true than in the world of gun safety. Guns, by design, serve the purpose of hitting a target. Accidental firing of a firearm is usually the result of improper training and safety. Gun organizations such as the NRA go to great lengths with gun safety programs targeted at children and adults alike to educate the public about the proper handling of a gun. The programs do not teach whether guns are good or bad, but instead focus on strategies for gun safety.

The National Rifle Association sponsored Eddie Eagle program, started in 1988, seeks to educate children about the proper steps to take when they see a gun. Using four basic principles to ingrain the idea in a child's mind to 'avoid playing with guns' is the basis for the educational campaign. "Stop, don't touch, leave the area, tell an adult" is the strong message that is prevalent throughout the various Eddie Eagle videos produced by the NRA. Using celebrity figures such as Jason Priestley to explain in an authoritative, comforting voice to children, 'How to handle finding a gun', is an effective method of driving home a message by using repetition.

There is an arsenal of information available for adults on how to properly handle a firearm. The presence of a program dedicated to teaching proper protocol to children with the primary message of 'stay away' is a crucial component to gun safety in our culture. The Eddie Eagle program targets children pre-K through 3rd grade and has reached more than 21 million children in all 50 states.