Allowing gun ranges in schools receives criticism

"Shooting ranges in public schools offer students gun safety education but might send mixed messages about zero-tolerance policies.

"It is a good idea. For one thing, the ranges teach everybody gun safety in a school, and they actually get to operate firearms," Richard A. Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said.

Pearson said students will not have misconceptions about gun use if programs are brought into schools, and students will see it is a safe sport.

"They learn that what they see on television isn't true. That's one of the big problems we have. We have all these ludicrous things occurring on television shows, and most of those things cannot be done with a firearm. They glorified the misuse of firearms," Pearson said.

Right now, America is at its lowest point in history of actual firearm accidents among juveniles.

"There were less than 40 last year. This is because there are a whole lot of people out there, who are teaching firearm safety to young people, and so now they know what the rules and limits are and what you should and should not do with firearms. Now they have an understanding of it," Pearson said.

Some believe shooting ranges could have a negative effect on schools. University High School does not have a shooting range on their school grounds, and they do not plan to incorporate one.

"Two issues come to mind. One is our hard, fast rule about no weapons in school. With all the incidences that have occurred in schools across the country, we would be opposed to having weapons, especially firearms, in the building at any time," Steve Wilder, assistant principal at University High School, said.

Incorporating shooting ranges in American schools might send students mixed signals about the presence of guns, and other weapons on school grounds.

"Shooting ranges here at U-High would send a message saying it is OK to have weapons in school, which is absolutely not the message we want to send to students," Wilder said."

Mr. Wilder, you are a blithering idiot. I'll wager that your science labs have a supply of some sort of alcohol at the ready. And that your drivers education classes employ automobiles. How dare you, sir, mix alcohol and driving on the same premises.

Schools, and listen Mr. Wilder you may learn something, are around for one purpose and one purpose only. To TEACH, you moron. TEACHING young people about firearms might very well save lives rather than TAKE lives, Mr. Wilder.

I will be damned if these anti's don't make a helluva lot of sense.