What is The Eddie Eagle GunSafeR Program?
Prevent Tragic Accidents - Ensure Children are Safe Should they Encounter a Gun
If you see a gun:
1. STOP !
2. Don’t Touch
3. Leave the Area
4. Tell an Adult
The Leominster Office of Emergency Management will be conducting a Safety
awareness program aimed at reaching pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade students.
The purpose of the program is to promote the protection and safety of children. The
program makes no value judgments about firearms, and NO firearms are used in the
program. Eddie Eagle does not promote firearm ownership or use.
WHO:
WHEN:
WHERE:
ALL – but specifically pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade
Saturday, October 30th; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Office of Emergency Management 37 Carter St, Leominster, MA
Off Lancaster St, the Corner of Cedar and Carter – behind Hannaford’s
978-534-7580 ; E-Mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.leominsteroem.org
RSVP:
Please RSVP via above phone or email. (978-534-7580; 978-537-6601)
MATERIALS: 7 minute animated video will be shown & discussed. Coloring books & stickers!
What is The Eddie Eagle GunSafeR Program?
Begun in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program has reached more than 21 million children -- in all 50
states.
Anyone may teach The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program, and NRA membership is not required. The program
may be readily incorporated into existing school curriculum, taught in a one- to five-day format, and used to
reach both levels or simply one or two grades. Materials available through this program are: student
workbooks, 7-minute animated video (available on DVD or VHS), instructor guides, brochures, and student
reward stickers. Program materials are also available in Spanish.
The NRA is committed to helping keep America's young children safe. In efforts to do so, we offer our
program at a nominal fee. Schools, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, daycare centers, and libraries may
be eligible to receive grant funding to defray program costs.
The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program isn't to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather
to promote the protection and safety of children. The program makes no value judgments about
firearms, and no firearms are ever used in the program. Like swimming pools, electrical outlets,
matchbooks and household poison, they're treated simply as a fact of everyday life. With firearms found in
about half of all American households, it's a stance that makes sense.
Eddie Eagle is never shown touching a firearm, and he does not promote firearm ownership or
use. The program prohibits the use of Eddie Eagle mascots anywhere that guns are present. The
Eddie Eagle Program has no agenda other than accident prevention -- ensuring that children stay
safe should they encounter a gun. The program never mentions the NRA. Nor does it encourage
children to buy guns or to become NRA members. The NRA does not receive any appropriations from
Congress, nor is it a trade organization. It is not affiliated with any firearm or ammunition manufacturers or
with any businesses that deal in guns and ammunition.
Teach your child the follow the instructions of NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program. If you find a gun:
1. STOP !
2. Don’t Touch
3. Leave the Area
4. Tell an Adult
The initial steps of "Stop" and "Don't Touch" are the most important. To counter the natural impulse to
touch a gun, it is imperative that you impress these steps of the safety message upon your child.
In today's society, where adult supervision is not always possible, the direction to "Leave the Area" is also
essential. Under some circumstances, area may be understood to be a room if your child cannot physically
leave the apartment or house.
"Tell an Adult" emphasizes that children should seek a trustworthy adult, neighbor, relative or teacher -- if
a parent or guardian is not available.
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program
National Rifle Association
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(800) 231-0752
PARENTS' GUIDE TO GUN SAFETY
Parents play a key role in developing safe practices and are ultimately responsible
for the behavior and safety of their children. Because isolated lessons and
concepts can be quickly forgotten, repetition will help children remember standard
safety procedures.
Parents can teach their children the Eddie Eagle program at home. Simply call the
Eddie Eagle Program at 800-231-0752 and request a sample kit. Each kit includes
a copy of the student workbook, instructor's guide, program statistics, a
description of materials, an order form, and the Parents' Guide to Gun Safety
brochure. To receive a copy of the "Parents' Guide to Gun Safety" brochure, email
[email protected] or call (800) 231-0752.
The Parents' Responsibility
In a home where guns are kept, the degree of safety a child has rests squarely on the child's parents.
Parents who accept the responsibility to learn, practice and teach gun safety rules will ensure their child's
safety to a much greater extent than those who do not. According to federal statistics, there are guns in
approximately half of all U.S. households. Even if no one in your family owns a gun, chances are that
someone you know does. Your child could come in contact with a gun at a neighbor's house, when playing
with friends, or under other circumstances outside your home.
Talking With Your Child About Gun Safety
There is no particular age to talk with your child about gun safety. A good time to introduce the subject is the
first time he or she shows an interest in firearms, even toy pistols or rifles. Talking openly and honestly
about gun safety with your child is usually more effective than not.
Toy Guns vs. Real Guns
It is also advisable, particularly with very young children, to discuss gun use on television as opposed to gun
use in real life. Firearms are often handled carelessly in movies and on TV. Additionally, children see TV and
movie characters shot and "killed" with well-documented frequency. When a young child sees that same
actor appear in another movie or TV show, confusion between entertainment and real life may result. It may
be a mistake to assume that your child knows the difference between being "killed" on TV and in reality.
If your child has toy guns, you may want to use them to demonstrate safe gun handling and to explain how
they differ from genuine firearms. Even though an unsupervised child should not have access to a gun, there
should be no chance that he or she could mistake a real gun for a toy.
What Should You Teach Your Child About Gun Safety?
Teach your child the follow the instructions of NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program. If you find a gun:
1. STOP !
2. Don’t Touch
3. Leave the Area
4. Tell an Adult
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program
National Rifle Association
11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030
(800) 231-0752