Opposing Views
The Boy Scouts of America recently released a list of approved activities for their members and have revealed that water gun fights are prohibited.
The list also makes mention that water balloons must be no larger than a ping-pong ball.
According to the 2015 Boy Scout’s Manual, “Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Water guns and rubber band guns must only be used to shoot at targets, and eye protection must be worn.”
The organization’s leaders released a statement on their blog on May 6 explaining why the prohibition is in place.
“Why the rule? A Scouter once told me this explanation I liked quite a bit: A Scout is kind. What part of pointing a firearm [simulated or otherwise] at someone is kind?” Bryan Wendell wrote on the website.
As for water balloons, the Boy Scouts of America National Shooting Manual states that scouts must “use small, biodegradable balloons, and fill them no larger than a ping-pong ball.”
Along with the new stipulations put in place for water guns and water balloons, the organization also has a list of other banned items such as boomerangs, crossbows, potato guns, and marshmallow guns, according to the Washington Times.
ReplyDeleteThe water gun ban seems to be entirely separate from their support for the shooting sports thankfully.
Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/meritbadges/rifle-shooting-merit-badge.asp
Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/meritbadges/shotgun-shooting-merit-badge.asp
I spent my youthful summers in a camp for boys run by Salesian Brothers and Priests. That was my first exposure to guns at the rifle range where we used those little .22 rifles.
Delete"Along with the new stipulations put in place for water guns and water balloons, the organization also has a list of other banned items such as boomerangs, crossbows, potato guns, and marshmallow guns, according to the Washington Times."
ReplyDeleteNow my limit of involvement with the Boy Scouts was only with my son as a Cub Scout, but we received a marshmallow crossbow as a prize for selling popcorn a few years ago. The pack also had a back to school water fun day that involved a huge water gun and water balloon fight each year as well. I guess they will have to rework their plans for this year. I wonder if it is ok to set up a hose or sprinkler for them to run through or would that also be considered shooting something at the boys?
I also have to wonder how it feels to not make Eagle Scout. That doesn't seem very kind of them to not let everyone make Eagle Scout does it?
"Why the rule? A Scouter once told me this explanation I liked quite a bit: A Scout is kind. What part of pointing a firearm [simulated or otherwise] at someone is kind?” - It is Kind when you are playing with someone who is enjoying being hit with the water while he is also hitting you with water. It is considered fun and as long as everyone has agreed to play I don't see the big deal here.
I wonder if any of the older troops get together to have paintball wars? Would those be banned now too?