My mom called me tonight to get my opinion on a school from her area. Apparently a nonprofit foundation associated with the school held an auction as a fundraiser. One of the items auctioned off was a handgun! This absolutely baffles me as to why some one would think this is a good idea! Thoughts?
I think it depends on where the school is and the culture of the community. If carrying a legal, licensed handgun is common, I don't find it odd.
That would mean there could be no car auctions/raffles either. No cutlery auctions, no autographed baseball bats (in case someone bludgeons someone), or many other objects that can be used in a crime. As long as the item is legally auctioned and the appropriate background checks are done for the winner, I don't see how the school could be liable. Now, I am assuming that a company that sells handguns is donating it which would still give the donating company the obligation to follow regulations laws for background checks. I'm not thinking this is someone's handgun that was sitting in their closet that is being auctioned. OP, is it a store gift certificate to purchase the specific handgun?
I don't see how the school could be held liable. I am assuming it's a legal-with-paperwork sale or transfer. The only reason I find it possibly questionable is whether or not the auction was on school property as, at least here, no weapons are allowed on campus. Otherwise, I really don't take issue with it. Guns are legal. At the same time, I understand how others may be surprised. It really does have a lot to with area culture. I know I still feel surprised when people here talk about alcohol being served at (private Catholic) school functions. Being in a dry county, it just seems bizarre. So I am sure a gun being auctioned at school seems questionable. But, like alcohol, guns are perfectly legal and common.
I worked at a school that was rural that held a similar auction at their PTA fall carnival. The same concerns were voiced. The PTA ended up issuing a gift card. Either way the person who won it still had to submit to a background check. Am I saying it is right? No. I personally don't like guns. However I think if it is done correctly then to each his/her own.
Yep, that's exactly the same thing. I actually think a better equivalent would be selling alcohol or cigarettes--something that's legal, but not legal for children to buy or in many cases to even have on school premises. Is it legal, yes. Is it in the best taste to sell at a school event-I understand why parents would be against it. Maybe not legal liability, but certainly if a crime was traced back to that gun from a school auction-that would be picked up by the media and certainly not be good PR for the school.
If it was our schools, the gun wouldn't be permitted on campus for the auction. To me the idea is just too risky.
I don't know who donated it, but I don't know it wasn't a certificate to buy it. The auction was not held on school grounds. However, it was engraved with the school name and mascot. I'm certified to carry and have had handgun training, I have no problem with guns. I just find it morally questionable to associate a firearm with a school event!
Using a gun to raise funds for a school definitely rubs me the wrong way... though pretty much anything involving guns rubs me the wrong way, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Even though I own LOTS of handguns I probably would have bid on this one ....... just to help the fundraiser..... I'm very Pro Gun and Pro Education....
It isn't legal for children to participate in auctions or raffles. So, if what is permitted for students to do or use then schools shouldn't have silent or non-silent auctions or raffles. In schools that ban sugary snacks, no booth should have sweets either. I'll do the eye roll for you now so you don't have to.
OP didn't say the gun was on campus. In many of our silent auctions the item isn't there, just a sign or a certificate. For example, a local butcher shop offered 16 steaks. Obviously, that wasn't on campus, but it was still offered for auction.
I think it would go over better here if it was a hunting rifle. A handgun has such a negative connotation in this area for being associated with violence against other people. I do not think this would work. First off, our rules for raffles and silent auctions are so strict it's almost impossible to get one approved. I can't see this being a popular choice at my school.
I would hope the person who wants this submits to a background check and has all the necessary paperwork. I am going to assume they have thought about this.
In many places, buying a gun at an auction (or any private sale) does not require a background check. My father recently bought 3 guns at an auction. He handed them cash and they handed him the guns. All perfectly legal.
I'm thinking that the type of auction that the OP is talking about is not the same as a true auction which your father attended.
Doesn't matter if it's a formal auction or a handgun sitting out on a card table at a random garage sale. All the law in my state requires is that the seller keep record of the date sold, the name and address of the purchaser and the serial number so that he can give the info to the police if it turns up somewhere. I don't know where the OP is, but all I was saying is that a background check is not required in all places.
I think it's fine. Why are people always up in arms about guns? (Pun intended. ) Guns don't kill people. People kill people.
Killing people with a gun is a heck of a lot easier than with any method, and accidental deaths with a gun are considerably more common/easier than with any other weapon. I get "up in arms" about guns because other people having guns makes my daughter less safe, and the more people that have guns, the less safe she gets.
There are millions of gun owners; statistically speaking, there are very few accidents and killings out of that number. I am also a parent. But I know that criminals and mass murderers will always find a gun. Outlaw guns, and only outlaws will have them. Then nobody is safe. I grew up with firearms in the house and I was taught a healthy respect for them. Everyone I knew had a gun in the house, mostly for hunting. They weren't running around killing each other. As for the original question, if it's a legal sale and the school approves, then it's fine in my opinion. You don't have to agree with me, and vice versa. There seems to be little room for compromise in this controversial issue.
You asked. I answered. I get up in arms about guns because other people having them affects my own safety. I recognize that "Pandora's Box" has been opened, and they aren't going to get banned, but that certainly doesn't mean I have to like that fact.
Remember, this isn't a gun ownership debate-it's a question about whether a gun auction should benefit a school. In my personal opinion, I don't see anything particularly wrong with the decision, I just think it's in poor taste. It almost seems like it's thumbing a nose at the current climate surrounding schools and guns. Especially engraving the school's name and mascot on it. (Not that this adds anything to the conversation, but I am a gun owner, operator, and supporter.) Can I come up with an analogy...hmm...I'm trying to think of something I find in similar poor taste, but I'm having trouble not being offensive. My initial thought was auctioning boxing lessons to benefit a battered women's shelter, or something like that. But that really trivializes both situations. So maybe an analogy just isn't appropriate. Bottom line-depending on the culture of the area, you're going to get very different answers to this dilemma. I just think that in today's society, it would probably be best to err on the side of compassion and find something else to auction.
I don't have an issue with it. But my area has quickly become very liberal and I would imagine that would mean most would bristle at the idea.
You know his theory and research has been disproved, right? He was also pretending to be his own student by using a pseudonym online praising him as "the best professor ever" or something to those effects.
Ah, so you're more likely to ascribe to unsourced ideology than real, scientific research. Fair enough, so long as you don't propose major policy decisions based on that ideology! Truck on.
Agree. It doesn't surprise me but I think it's in terrible taste regarding the number of recent tragedies involving students and guns....
I personally think it depends on the region/area of the school who is hosting the fundraiser. Where I work, it would not be accepted (inner city school). However, where I live, it would be totally accepted. (rural area).
