NRA Offers Gun Safety Program
School children in some Chautauqua County schools will learn gun safety through the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.
The program is endorsed by John Bentley, Lakewood-Busti police chief, and is approved by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and used throughout the United States since 1989. Greg DiMaio, a local NRA volunteer, and his wife, Donna, an area teacher, have obtained state grant money to bring the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program to Chautauqua County. The grant provides money to supply schools, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, day care centers, libraries and youth service organizations with student, teacher and parent materials free of charge.
Accidental gun deaths have been decreasing for decades and are now at an all-time low in the United States. Statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate a more than 80 percent decrease in fatal firearm accidents among children in the Eddie Eagle program age. DiMaio said since 2009 has been a record year for gun sales and increased applications for pistol permits, it is wise to teach children proper gun safety.
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program was created by Marion P. Hammer, former NRA president, in consultation with child psychologists, elementary teachers and law enforcement officers. Now in its 20th year, the program has been seen by more than 21 million children nationwide and is endorsed by the National Sheriffs' Association and recognized by the Association of American Educators. It is a recipient of the American Legion's National Educational Award.
''The NRA is committed to helping keep America's children safe,'' Ms. Hammer said. ''This program also instills in our youth the important values of leadership, discipline and personal responsibility that will help our children throughout their lives. It is imperative that all parents be responsible for teaching good judgement and gun safety to their children.''
For more information about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, call the Eddie Eagle Department at 800-231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/. For more information locally, call DiMaio at 488-9500.
