Banning My Son From Doodling A Gun Is Not A Solution To School Shootings

What is it that makes a little boy — practically straight out of the womb — take an interest in weapons and emulate gun-toting, swash-buckling heroes? Even doctors aren’t certain. One pediatrician shared with me the story of my 16-month-old son, who transformed every stick into a weapon. “We don’t know why. They just do it.”

You’re familiar with the struggles of raising a boy. Their fascination with weapons is unmatched by their ability to draw them in class. An alien with a laser pistol. A sword-wielding elf. Rambo holding a machine gun.

When they do, they will encounter school polices prohibiting images of weapons. They are doing this supposedly to prevent school shootings. Some exceptions are made for historical context (e.g. a Revolutionary War soldier wearing a bayonet).

Others don’t. Who can forget? Pop-Tart guns were the most infamous of 2016.? The 7-year old was suspended.

If your child is fortunate, he will be asked to take the drawing. If your child is not lucky, he will be sent to school counselor and the principal. Suicide assessment.

No Drawings With Guns

I was first introduced to this policy when my little boy returned from Fairfax County Elementary School with his shirt inverted. On the front was an image of a Lego Ewok holding — eek! — a tiny axe.

Recently, I encountered the same policy with my 10-year-old boy. He was caught drawing a firearm-wielding police officer. An officer of the police

Author’s son’s drawing.

My son’s teacher explained to him via email that it was not permissible to draw weapons in class and encouraged him to try. “stick to dragons and landscapes.”

My heart goes out for my son’s teacher and all teachers who have to worry about a student bringing a weapon into class. To be honest, I do not mind my son drawing an officer with a gun, a sailor with a weapon, or any other living creature with a firearm. Bugs Bunny once pointed the gun at Nasty Kanasta. I can live with that.

My son isn’t interested in guns, because he’s not violent. He’s a peacemaker — an empathetic child who cares for animals and respects teachers. Under the guidance of trained adults, he has shot real guns. He considers his grandfather a police officer, and he regards them as heroes.

However, the truth is that he is a boy. Boys have drawn weapons for hundreds and centuries. 

My understanding is that forbidding gun imagery stems from the belief that if a boy has an interest, he will bring a gun with him to school to kill others.

What are the signs of mental illness?

Schools need to enforce the leftist-controlled culture’s view of guns, which portrays them as negative.