The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program is to promote the protection and safety of children -- not to teach whether guns are good or bad. Parents are responsible for teaching values and good judgement to their children.
Federal officials estimate that there are over 200 million guns in the United States. Guns are in approximately one-half of all American households. Roughly 1/3 are shotguns, 1/3 rifles and 1/3 handguns.
Whether or not the students' families own guns, there is a great chance that children will come in contact with a gun at some time during their young lives.
Relatives and neighbors own guns -- often hidden -- but the possibility exists that children may find them. From their earliest awareness, children are exposed to guns through cartoons, television shows and movies. Their curiousity is aroused.
The Eddie Eagle Program is designed to teach young children how to be safe around guns. Children are prone to be curious about guns. They may have developed varying perceptions of fantasy and reality. Television and movies can distort their perceptions.
It is important for children to understand that only with a parent or with parental permission and adult supervision should a child be around guns.
Some children at the upper levels of the Eddie Eagle Program (grades 3 through 6) may own BB and pellet guns. This age group needs to know that guns are not toys and that showing off with guns is not "cool." These guns are not toys and when handling them, children should treat them accordingly.
Parents need to play an important role in developing safe practices. They are ultimately responsible for the behavior and safety of their children. Because isolated facts and concepts can be quickly forgotten, repetition of concepts will help students remember the safety procedures. A message to parents is incorporated in the take-home materials to encourage parents to reinforce the safety rules and give proper guidance to their children.
Firearms training -- safety as well as marksmanship -- lies at the very core of the NRA charter. The National Rifle Association was founded in 1871 specifically as an organization dedicated to firearms training. Since that time, the NRA has educated hundreds of thousands of law-enforcement officers and millions of private citizens on the topics of gun safety, marksmanship and firearms responsibility.
The NRA does not receive any appropriations from Congress, nor is it a trade organization. It is not affiliated with any gun or ammunition manufacturers or with any businesses that deal in guns or ammunition.
Copyright ©1996 National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
