Is this legitimate or gun-crazy fear?
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I’m attaching a link here about the teacher who posted a photograph of herself aiming a gun on Facebook. She was suspended from her job for posting the photo. I personally see this as an interesting conundrum. The photo in this post is the actual Facebook photo.
On the one hand, I have to tell you as a parent I do not particulary revel in a teacher who posts a picture of herself aiming a gun on a site where so many young people socialize. If my own child were on Facebook, I would certainly address the issue with my child.
On the other hand, the Second Amendment covers the right to bear arms and this teacher was technically doing absolutely nothing wrong. She was on her own time and she was not tying the photograph to her performance or position as a teacher.
I open this up to everyone! This is certainly one worth discussing! Here’s the link I chose:
http://www.examiner.com/x-3253-Minneapolis-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m2d10-The-folly-across-the-river
Comment by Deb Della Piana on 22 February 2009:
Hey, Dolores. How are you? This is a tough one, isn’t it? You’re right, I am a parent myself and I would be disturbed if my twelve-year-old daughter’s teacher appeared on the web in this type of pose. Realistically, she’s not doing anything wrong, but one has to admit that the pose is a bit provocative. If she was just holding it rather than aiming it, perhaps it wouldn’t be so disturbing.
Now, I very strongly support a ban on assault weapons. They exist for one reason: To kill another person. They are not used for hunting or any other recreational purpose.
My support of other weapons exists for one reason only: Given the events of the last eight years, I have decided that we citizens are all in danger if the government, military and police are the only ones with weapons.
Comment by jason blanchard on 23 February 2009:
I’d like to have an assault weapon for EXACTLY the reason Deb points out, “we citizens are all in danger if the government, military and police are the only ones with weapons.” Although, she left out the bad guys…the one’s who will have assault guns EVEN if there are laws against it. Otherwise, they’re the only ones with the assault weapons, right? Take your 6 shooter against their AR-15…you might as well not have a gun.
To the subject of the post, people are free to bear arms as protected by the Constitution. We citizens are also afforded free speech. If the teacher makes a comment that is deemed anti-education, can she be suspended for that? I don’t see the difference.
Facebook doesn’t allow members under age 13. By that age, I’d hope that our education system has taught about the Constitution. And, taught that our personal lives do not have to mirror, or even agree, with our professional lives. I’d hope they are also taught it is a travesty to ban, expel, or otherwise suspend someone for exercising their PERSONAL rights.
Comment by Deb Della Piana on 23 February 2009:
Touche on some points, Jason. I agree. I absolutely love this country, but I no longer trust this government. It’s a shadow government. If I thought for a moment that the assault weapons would not be used except in circumstances of ‘protection,’ I would agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, they are used all too frequently for other reasons.
In the case of the teacher, I agree that she did nothing wrong and her rights are being violated. However, I’m sorry, but as a teacher, she needs to be a bit more thoughtful. A less provocative pose would have been better. I have two children. One is seven and the other is twelve. I am far less worried about the impression it would have on my 7-year old. My daughter will be a teen in November of this year. The ‘coolness’ of guns and violence is much more prevalent in the 13 to 18 year old range, Jason.
So, while I support her and her right to do whatever she wants, I am chastising her for her lack of insight when it comes to the impression it makes on children. I think it’s pathetic, particularly for a teacher.
Comment by richard on 23 February 2009:
The teacher is just foolish.
Assualt weapons are offensuve by design - to “assault” someone or someplace.
I have had a .45 cal. automatic pistol for 40-years to defend myself mine.
I too have concerns about government and its intentions - especially now. The idea of training ARMY units for domestic use is dreadful and dangerous.
Comment by jason blanchard on 24 February 2009:
Deb, I also love our country and do not trust those in power. If I could wave a magic wand and make ALL assault weapons disappear, they’d be gone. I’m a lover, not a fighter.
Some citizens are held to a higher moral ground than the rest of us. Judges, teachers, elected officials, appointed officials, police officers, service men and women, etc… At the same time many get to play by a different set of rules…judges, teachers, elected officials, appointed officials, police officers, lol. I don’t think she used good judgment by using that photo, and would hope other people in her position have learned through her actions.
My two boys LOVE guns…my wife has tried to avoid it, tried to direct their attention to other toys, tried explaining the gravity of a firearm, and resisted buying plastic guns. But, then they pick up a stick, and say, “Look at this gun!” I built a blanket fort using PVC as the supports….soon after that the supports became guns. It’s impossible to keep guns out of their hands. SO, my wife and I have decided on a different approach. We are instead teaching gun safety, and gun respect. They aren’t allowed to point guns at people or pets, and surprisingly, they are fine with that. They are learning that there can be safety with responsibility. There have been a few slip-ups, but I’m hoping the Nerf teaches a lesson before the bullet ever gets a chance. The biggest part of gun control, is control.
There are many legal adult activities that aren’t appropriate for children. My only fear is that the line continues to be pushed in the wrong direction. Soon, teachers/etc can’t post pictures of themselves drinking a beer in a bar, or gambling, or standing outside a brothel in Nevada, or smoking cigs. Unless they want to rock the boat, they shouldn’t post that anyway, but I believe in their freedom to do so.
(EXCEPT in cases where they’ve signed a code of conduct agreement, then all bets are off, and they must follow those guidelines)