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December 4, 1998/ 15 Kislev 5759, Vol. 51, No. 11
Issue of gun safety
California congregation teaches young people respect for firearms, but program has its detractors
JOSHUA SCHUSTER
Jewish Bulletin of Northern California
Deborah Munro, 12, holds a .22-caliber pistol, arms extended, elbows slightly bent to absorb the kick as the gun fires. She is at a shooting range with her youth group from the Reform Congregation Beth Emek in the city of Livermore in Northern California.
Increasing incidents across the country of youths firing guns, accidentally or on purpose, have prompted parents at the synagogue to take action to make sure their children know gun safety. Many acknowledge mixed feelings about putting guns into the hands of young people. But with guns an increasing presence in homes, they say it's critical that children receive proper instruction in handling the weapons.
"Personally, I abhor guns," says Valerie Jonas, a Livermore resident whose son attends the youth program. "But I live in fear of the day when my son goes to a friend's house and encounters a gun. I feel by ignoring the issue, I'm not being a responsible parent."
Jonas' son, along with nine other youths ages 9 to 14, have visited the shooting range in Livermore twice so far. According to class members, Deborah Munro is one of the better shooters. Munro describes her progress matter-of-factly, sounding like a seasoned gun veteran.
"People said the pistol doesn't have much of a kick," Munro says. "But it twists your hair back when you fire it, and your hands flip to the side and you feel this big lurch. It's hard to handle; the middle-sized guns are about right for me."
Munro learned everything she knows about guns from the youth group program, which began in January of this year. Before she ever fired a gun, she received hours of gun safety instruction from experienced users.
"The kids get very stern lectures. We are handling this in a very responsible manner," says Rabbi Richard Winer, the congregation's spiritual leader. Though Winer "finds guns terrifying," he understands why kids find them fascinating. And if some kids are magnetically attracted to guns, Winer wants to make sure they approach the weapons responsibly.
"I'm not a fan of the NRA, but what we've done with the kids has been very impressive," says Winer, a gun-control advocate who does not own a gun. Youths are "much less likely to have accidents with (gun) safety education," Winer adds, comparing its effectiveness to sex education at an early age. "Kids in our congregation will know to get away from guns when (they're) not supervised or in the hands of adults."
Jews split over the issue
While the Livermore synagogue's program has garnered approval, San Francisco Bay-area Jews, like other Americans, are divided over how gun safety should be taught to kids. Some argue that exposure to firearms helps kids understand the danger of the weapons, and that they should be used only for self-protection. Others contend that banning guns and teaching youths how to avoid violence is a better solution.
David M. Golden, vice president of the Golden Gate United National Rifle Association Members Council and a Jew who lives in San Francisco, wants young people to develop a healthy fear of the weapons and learn safety at an early age.
"If you introduce firearms at a young age, and show they are heavy, noisy, they kick and are machines that take skill and respect, the youth's curiosity will be dissipated," he says. "Safety education will be much more likely to reduce accidents."
Tracy Salkowitz, executive director of the Northern Pacific Region chapter of the American Jewish Congress, agrees that given the recent spate of gun-related violence in schools across the country, the issue needs to be addressed in schools. "But before we start teaching gun safety in schools," she says, "we need to do violence reduction programs in schools, galvanize communities to intervene and have metal detectors."
A school- or congregation-sponsored gun-safety program "gives the message that gun use is OK. Whether or not it is intended, that is the message being sent," she says.
In response to a high-profile slaying in San Francisco five years ago, the American Jewish Congress established the Jack Berman Advocacy Center, named after a prominent Jew who was among those killed in the incident. The center promotes gun-control legislation and education on reducing violence. The program has received criticism from some Jews who say gun control is not a Jewish issue. Salkowitz, however, says Jews should be concerned about any issue that threatens democracy, including the proliferation of guns.
The Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City apparently also views gun-related violence as a Jewish issue. In September, JTS ran an advertisement in the New York Times citing several recent incidents in which youths brought guns to school and murdered classmates and teachers. The ad asks "Who Is Responsible?" and quotes a section from the Talmud: "Whoever can prevent the whole world from sinning but does not, bears responsibility for the sins of the entire world."
Golden sees gun-safety programs as a responsible answer. That's why he wants to introduce them in Bay Area synagogues starting this winter. He views gun control as missing the mark. "If this solution does not work for drugs, why do you think this is going to work for hundred-dollar guns?" he asks.
Golden argues that the best security from crime involves having the means to protect oneself.
"Being in a free country where Jews own a means of self-defense is very recent," he says. "But history tells us Jews should be familiar and capable of defending themselves and their community through legal ownership of firearms."
Salkowitz counters that times have changed.
"I don't believe we are living in Nazi-era Germany. We have freedom of speech, and the Jewish community is so strong here," she says. She believes that gun-safety programs in schools and synagogues are a misguided step.
"What kind of message are we sending?" she asked, " 'Well, Mom, if my synagogue says it's OK, (why can't I) go target shooting?' "
"Look at the Judaic teachings - Thou shalt not kill," she adds. "We are also commanded to beat swords into plowshares."
But Golden points out that Scripture can be quoted on both sides of the argument, citing a biblical passage saying that says those threatened with murder have an obligation to fight back.
"Jewish law strongly mandates self-preservation, and is very similar to American law in terms of the right of self-defense," he says.
Salkowitz argues that the need to protect oneself is important, but people should look for nonviolent solutions first. "How about having congregations work with other congregations to mobilize all area youth in learning the art of dialogue, rather than the art of firearms?"
Risks, benefits weighed
Although some congregants in Livermore were concerned about the risks in exposing young people to guns, Winer says those fears were allayed when they found out that safety was the program's major focus.
Still, Trish Munro, the youth group leader and Deborah's mother, says at least one synagogue member had a negative reaction to the program. The congregant asserted that youth groups should stick to visiting the sick and performing services that benefit the community. Guns, according to the congregant, do not belong in Jewish youth groups.
Munrcounters that the children brought the interest in guns to her when she asked what activities they wanted to pursue. Once their curiosity about guns was piqued, she believed it would have been more dangerous to reject their interest than to confront it head on.
"We are providing a service to the community by demystifying the kids' interest in guns," Munro says.
"There is absolutely no pressure for the kids to do it - or not to do it," she adds. "I believe when a child has a question, to answer that need is never wrong."
Munro sought teaching help from congregant Don Miller, an experienced shooter and avid gun collector in Livermore. Miller saw it as a chance to educate the youths, who, he feels, do not fully grasp the difference between "violence in real life vs. violence on TV."
Miller says he also saw an opportunity to teach an important lesson in Jewish history.
"Jews have had to protect themselves over the millennium. Israel is in that position now," he says. "The Torah is full of Jews defending with bows and arrows."
Miller adds that, currently, "it's unlikely Jews in America must defend themselves like they did in Poland. Anti-Semitic attacks here are rare, but, still, it does happen."
Miller, who learned his gun skills while on his high school rifle team in Oakland, solicited additional teaching help from two members of the Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club. Ten kids from the youth group met for two gun safety and wildlife conservation sessions. The classes were held at the congregation early this year. Miller displayed his gun collection to the youths. Children were taught how to verify that the guns were unloaded.
Since then, armed with a background in gun safety, the kids have enjoyed learning hands-on what guns can do at the shooting range.
At the range, Arthur Holtz, 9, shoots at water balloons and paper targets. "If you've done it right, the bullet will go towards the target and the water balloon will explode with water going everywhere. It's a lot of fun," he says.
Holtz, who also lives in Livermore and had fired a gun once before under the supervision of his parents, said he now feels much safer when using the weapon. "We've been talking about safety a lot, so I know I'm safe enough," he says. "I'm not really scared something bad will happen."
Miller says similar responses from other kids indicate to him that gun safety should be taught aggressively. "The kids are at the age in which a lot of accidents happen, so it is a perfect age to start talking about gun safety," he says. "I'm really convinced it should be taught in schools for younger-aged children."
Miller adds: "There are 2 million guns in America. You will never get rid of them, no matter how hard you try. It is better to have kids get it out of their systems."
Deborah Munro agrees. The loud bang of the gun, she says, serves as a wake-up call to the reality of the weapons.
"A lot of kids didn't really know the power of the gun and how far a bullet could go," she says. "If you are around a gun or see someone using a gun improperly, it can be extremely dangerous if you don't know how to use it safely."
Winer said the Jewish community should do all it can to teach more about safety issues. He considers it a matter of religious principle.
"There is a Jewish issue of pikuach nefesh, the saving of a life," he says. "If this gun safety program can keep one child from making a mistake and hurting someone, then we've performed a valuable service."
Joshua Schuster is a staff writer for the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, based in San Francisco.
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