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Cape May County Sheriff Introduces Gun Safety Program
Release Date: November 04, 2009
Cape May Court House – Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer is pleased to announce that the Sheriff’s Office is offering a new educational program on gun safety for children from pre-K to grade 3. Sheriff Schaffer said, “The purpose of the 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, guns are treated simply as a fact of everyday life. Sheriff Schaffer stated, “With firearms found in about half of all American households, it's a stance that makes sense.”
The program is complete with its own mascot – Eddie Eagle. The Sheriff’s Office already has McGruff the crime fighting dog, who educates our children on the dangers of strangers, bullying, drugs, alcohol and gangs and now Eddie Eagle who will assist with youth education programs that teach young people the dangers of firearms.
“I am thrilled that the Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association has seen a value in this program and have also joined in sponsoring the program. I am thankful that they have purchased the Eddie Eagle costume to enable us to advance this program to the youth of our county, added Sheriff Schaffer.
Chief of County Detectives James Rybicki, President of the Chiefs of Police Association, said, “Promoting the safety of our youth is a priority of the members of our Association and our support of the Sheriff’s initiative increases the children’s awareness of gun safety.”
At the March 2002 annual mid-winter conference, the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) formally endorsed The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. This program is funded in part by the National Rifle Association. 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 United States has an estimated 200 million guns under private ownership. Our nation has approximately 80 million gun owners. Among children, fatal firearm accidents have been reduced more than two thirds since the inception of the program, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. According to Sheriff Schaffer, “Gun accident prevention programs such as Eddie Eagle are a significant factor in that decline.”
Since 1988, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program has been taught to more than 19 million children, by 25,000 school teachers, law enforcement officers and community safety activists. Just as Smokey Bear teaches children not to play with matchbooks, Eddie Eagle teaches them not to play with firearms with a simple, memorable four-part plan:
If you see a see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.
Sheriff Schaffer concluded, “We have experienced some unfortunate incidents in Cape May County with children and firearms. Teaching gun safety presents a challenge. Our children routinely see unsafe and irresponsible gun handling on television and in the movies. The difference between “pretend” and “real” activities and consequences is often not clear to a child. Our children need to know: REAL GUNS ARE NOT TOYS.”
For additional information or to request an educational session please contact Officer Paul Shelton at 609-465-6831 or email him at pshelton@cmcsheriff.net.
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February 09, 2010
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