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NRA teaches children gun safety

 

Re Ana Veciana-Suarez’s Jan. 19 column, NRA’s new game app: Callous, tone-deaf: She attacks the NRA for callousness, however, the game was in production for months before the tragedy of Sandy Hook. Though she criticizes the idea of a shooting game for sixth-graders, there were shooting clubs in the public schools, and scouting and 4-H Club camps taught children how to safely shoot rifles. And were we inundated with school shootings then? No.

The Sandy Hook murderer did not use an AK-47 or an M-11 as is used in the NRA game.

Regarding the gun-safety information included in the game, for decades the NRA has been in the forefront of teaching gun safety to children, including its Eddie Eagle materials. These teach children: “If you see a gun: Stop! Don’t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult” and have been in use since 1988.

Wayne LaPierre’s criticism of the video-game industry was for its games for children that have players shooting at people. The NRA game has players shooting at targets on a gun range or clay disks. Huge difference. The NRA has offered a valid, sane alternative for children.

Brenda Alt, Miami

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