Videos designed to help educators teach firearm safety and conservation
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has launched an online campaign offering free educational videos about firearm safety and wildlife conservation to teachers and school administrators across the country. Only several days into the campaign, more than 4,500 DVDs had been ordered by educators, reflecting strong interest in teaching students about these important subjects.
“We believe teachers and school administrators should teach students how to correctly respond if they encounter an unattended firearm,” says Steve Sanetti, president of the NSSF, a trade association for the firearms industry. "Students who understand what to do in such situations can potentially save lives, and accidental firearms fatalities are at historic lows thanks to such programs.”
Regarding conservation education, Sanetti adds, “We have a generation of children who spend less time outdoors and who see more wildlife on television than in the wild. It’s important that students today understand how once-endangered species such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey are now abundant because of hunter-funded programs.”
The firearm safety DVD contains three videos, two designed for viewing by students in various grade levels and one for a general audience. The school videos show students how to make correct decisions when encountering a firearm in an unsupervised situation at school, at home, or at a friend’s home. “McGruff the Crime Dog on Gun Safety” is designed for viewing by students in grades K through 6. “It’s Your Call: Playing It Safe Around Guns,” is for students in grades 6 through 9. “Firearms Safety Depends on You” is for general audiences. Educators can watch the firearm safety videos online at nssf.org/requestForms/safetyDVD.cfm.
The Wildlife Conservation DVD features three videos that teach students about America’s wildlife management system and how hunters contribute the majority of funding to conservation. “Wildlife for Tomorrow” is for students in grades 4 to 7. “Un-endangered Species” is for grades 7 to 12. “What They Say About Hunting,” a mock debate of pro- and anti-hunting viewpoints, is for students in grades 7 to 12. Educators can view the conservation videos online at nssf.org/requestForms/ConservationDVD.cfm. In addition to the videos, each DVD contains guides and activity masters to assist teachers in fostering classroom discussions.
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