I have read both columns in the Sept. 6 issue regarding firearms in the local schools.

While I am 80 years old and do not have children or grandchildren currently attending Redmond District schools, I would like to address the current uproar over them in schools.

I have taught Oregon Hunter Education for about 28 years. With 99% of those courses having been taught in various rooms in various Redmond schools. During that time the Redmond cadre of hunter’s education instructors have taught quite literally thousands of Redmond students and many of their parents, with no accidents or accidental discharges in any of our classes. I would hate to see the use of Redmond school facilities removed from the instructor cadre and/or students who attend the classes.

If a change is needed, let’s look into training classes for our students to teach them how to handle firearms in a safe manner, as well as what to do if they encounter a firearm that isn’t theirs or their parent’s or is located in a space where it should not be.

I understand parental concern for their students about firearm accidents or improper use. But the solution is not, in my mind at least, raising our kids to fear firearms in all situations.

I have been a firearms instructor for better than 60 years and I can tell you it is better for kids to know what they are and how they work instead of trying to hide them so the first contact they have is inappropriate and/or dangerous. Have you ever tried to hide Christmas presents? The kids always find them.

William A. Layton

Redmond