A mother from Jacksonville is expressing her outrage after discovering her 7-year-old son received instruction on gun safety at school without her knowledge. At Mandarin Oaks Elementary, students participated in a program called Eddie Eagle, developed by the NRA, which aims to educate young children about handling firearms. Typically, Duval County Public Schools notifies parents and provides an opt-out option for such programs, but this time, no heads-up was given.
The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes her parenting philosophy—teaching her child that all guns are harmful—has been undermined by what she calls “NRA propaganda.” She recounted how her son returned home with a pamphlet from the program, confidently declaring, “Mommy, you’re wrong! Toy guns are OK. Look, it says so right here!”
In response, the school superintendent acknowledged that parents should have been informed about the lesson and given the choice to opt out. However, he defended the program, asserting that it was developed with input from experts in education, public safety, and child development. He noted that Eddie Eagle uses vibrant characters and musical elements to engage young learners.
While it’s crucial for children to have an understanding of gun safety, many parents might not want their kids learning about it at such a tender age—especially from an organization like the NRA. Some parents may prefer a more serious tone surrounding the issue, as the idea of making gun safety “fun” can feel inappropriate. It’s akin to letting a brand like Camel Cigarettes run a health seminar for kids.
Ultimately, schools should prioritize parental involvement when it comes to sensitive topics like this. Next time, a little heads-up would go a long way before they dive into such discussions with our little ones.
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Summary
A Jacksonville mother is upset that her child learned about gun safety at school without her consent, raising concerns about parental rights and the appropriateness of such lessons for young children. The school admitted it failed to inform parents ahead of the program.