Conn. GOP AG candidate wants gun training for kids

Conn. GOP AG candidate wants gun training for kids
Published: Tuesday, June 22, 2010

HARTFORD (AP) — The Republican endorsed candidate for Connecticut attorney general is advocating firearms training for children in schools, in scout groups and in summer camps.

Avon attorney Martha Dean said if elected she would explore expanding gun accident prevention programs and rifle club teams in schools.

"As your Attorney General, I will advocate firearms training for boys and girls in schools, in scouts, at camp and elsewhere," she said at a Second Amendment rally in April. "We teach sex education in school, yet we omit the most basic skill needed to exercise fundamental constitutional rights."

Fellow Republican candidate Ross Garber on Monday assailed Dean's comments and said the office of attorney general should not be used to give guns to children or promote personal views.

"As the state's chief civil legal officer, the attorney general should focus on being a strong advocate for the state and its citizens, not pushing a personal political agenda," said Garber in a statement.

Dean stood by her earlier statements Monday, saying she's just a proponent of the laws written in the Constitution and that it was "false" and "intentionally misleading" for Garber to say she advocates giving weapons to children.

"Kids should know how to prevent accidents and they should have access to basic skills that are a part of our constitutional rights," she said.

George Jepsen, the Democrat endorsed candidate, said he objected to Dean's views.

"Guns and juveniles should be a parental choice, not a governmental mandate," he said.

Dean and Garber face each other in the state primary elections Aug. 10.

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I am of the opinion that gun safety should be taught... but by me to my children.  I'm not sure this is one of those places I want the gubmint sticking their noses...

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I am of the opinion that gun safety should be taught... but by me to my children. I'm not sure this is one of those places I want the gubmint sticking their noses...

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daddy4count wrote:

I am of the opinion that gun safety should be taught... but by me to my children. I'm not sure this is one of those places I want the gubmint sticking their noses...

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My only concern would be injecting gun politics into the course, and I think that's actually a valid and fairly large concern.

However, if I could be convinced that such a thing would be exclusively centered on safety, I wouldn't oppose it.

For one, I have always rejected the idea that keeping information from kids - on sex, guns - anything dangerous - is a terrible disservice, but beyond that, I think as we are hell bent (I am, anyway) on being a firearms-owning society, it is important that we do all we can to reduce gun accidents.

Demystification of firearms is an important step, I think. But I do have concerns about politics coming into it. I'm sure the anti-gun people would have a coronary episode.

I am sure most of us who own guns and are interested in the issue have discussions and sessions with our kids, but my concern is there are a lot of kids out there who will never get the benefit of that. And I really think people ought to have a chance to learn, at very least, how to determine if a gun is loaded, and how to unload it and ensure it is empty, along with the basic gun safety rules.

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