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Feb 27, 2009 3:21 pm US/Central
NRA Coloring Book Has Garland Mother Fired Up
GARLAND (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Samone Howe of Garland brought home what appeared to be a typical coloring book; until her mom decided to page through it.
"Not only do I think it's inappropriate to provide this information to my 5-year-old, but this is a program published by the NRA," said Nicola Howe, Samone's mother.
The coloring book includes illustrations of handguns and rifles.
"Having pictures of guns that children color in I think is sending the wrong message," said Howe.
The book is called Gun Safety with Eddie Eagle and it's published by the NRA. It's part of the Garland Independent School District's Health and Safety Curriculum.
"If a student comes across a weapon, they're supposed to stop, don't touch the weapon and then run away and tell an adult. Those are the parts that are taught," said Reavis Wortham with Garland I.S.D.
Howe doesn't see it as deterrent. She believes it only encourages curiosity.
"At 5 years old, anytime you tell a child not to touch something, that's exactly what they do. It's in their nature to be curious and to touch and handle things," said Howe.
Samone attends kindergarten at Sewell Elementary School. Not only did she get a coloring book, but her class also watched a video featuring Eddie Eagle.
"Gun ownership, control and safety are hot topics as well. It just simply has no place in our school systems," said Howe.
The district stresses that gun safety is only one part of the curriculum. Teachers also spend days even weeks talking about life jackets, bicycle safety, car safety and what to do if confronted by a stranger.
Garland school officials say the safety curriculum is 10 years old and this is the first complaint the district has received since it began.
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