Orange guns

[ghosthunter]

I am a Hunter education instructor in washington State. Recently my state Dept. of Fish & Wildlife has purchased sets of orange guns for use in Hunter ed classes. In the past we have used real guns our own or stateguns. I have refused to use the orange gunss because I think it sends the wrong message to the student and public.

The state is afraid a student might bring a live round into the classroom. They will allow me to use real guns if I trigger lock them in the classrooms. Which is ok with me. But I think the orange guns are a mistake.

You can see the orange guns here. http://www.guns.com/mossberg-and-the-ihea-team-up-to-make-training-shotguns.html.

I would like to hear what you folks think.

[sledgemeister]

well gotta admit they arent what I was thinking when I saw the heading "orange guns"

Damn they is ugly.

[alfsauve]

I'm not clear of what the wrong message is.   

You handle and treat these just the same as a real gun.  Same message.  You tolerate nothing less than strict obedience to the the 4 laws.

[ronlarimer]

I'm not clear of what the wrong message is.   

You handle and treat these just the same as a real gun.  Same message.  You tolerate nothing less than strict obedience to the the 4 laws.

This is what I was thinking.


NC Buckeye

[jnevis]

Miltary and Police have been using red/orange/blue guns for decades.  Less hassle when teaching new shooters basic gun handling.  It can be done in any classroom, is treated as if a real gun, and allows for some level of force on force training (not a big deal for hunter safety but...)

I use a red gun to train/practice holster draws fairly often.  If I could get one I'd get the dry-fire version of the Glock that has a trigger group that resets but won't chanber a round.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

I agree with ghosthunter on this one.

There is a place for the orange, red and blue guns in certain classes and training events.  However, in firearm safety and hunter education there is no force on force or combative training.  This is also the first exposure of many students to firearms.  To introduce them to firearms through the use of a "toy" is to perpetuate the mystery of the gun.

[Timothy]

I've been required to take a few of these courses since I've lived and hunted in several states over the years.  In every case, there were "real" firearms in the classes and not a single incident occurred that was even remotely dangerous.  The four rules were taught prior and the instructors were always with the student during that portion of the class that required some handling of the firearm.

I've seen worse handling of firearms from people that have years of experience.  Those are the people I don't shoot with anymore!

[ghosthunter]

m58
Hits my concerns exactly. Every toy section in the state have orange guns.
I think there is a place for them, but not in hunter education. In our state there is no age limit so my last class had a 7 year old in it. Take a look at a 7 year old .

My other complaint is that they are heaverier than the real thing and do not repersent the models that students will be tested with. They dont come in a youth size.
I am not saying you cannot not teach with them, I am saying we shouldnt teach children with them.

I will note that I stand alone in my area on the issue. All the instructors who teach with me have already taken the guns for their classes. I am the only hold out in my area.
To meet the requirement I will put trigger locks on real firearms. Which by the way is a 290.00 savings per gun.

Thank you for your comments I enjoy hearing others voices.

[tombogan03884]

I have to start this by saying that I have not taken hunter safety, so I am not familiar with the class requirements.
I was under the impression that the course was more focused on ethics, game laws and the "hunting" aspects of it rather than the "gun" parts beyond stressing the basic safety rules.
With that impression I don't understand the need to even have guns present in the first place.
Isn't the "shooter safety" training a separate, type specific class ?

[Timothy]

I have to start this by saying that I have not taken hunter safety, so I am not familiar with the class requirements.
I was under the impression that the course was more focused on ethics, game laws and the "hunting" aspects of it rather than the "gun" parts beyond stressing the basic safety rules.
With that impression I don't understand the need to even have guns present in the first place.
Isn't the "shooter safety" training a separate, type specific class ?

The last one I took here was 8 weeks long, 4 hours each session!  They covered more about firearms in that course than the course required for CCW here in MA.  It depends on the individual state.  I took my first one in the 6th grade along with the boaters safety course that was required in MI at the time.  It was at the middle school and there were firearms involved in the instruction.  The good 'ol days...