Project Johnny Appleseed

Noah practicing last year in Knoxville.



Little Anna giving a try with coaching from daddy.

Guns.  An icon of American culture, foundational to our very freedoms and way of life.  "American as apple pie" should really read "American as owning a gun" OR yet "American as Johnny Appleseed"...as in Project Johnny Appleseed!  Sadly, our rights to bear arms are always under siege. Hence more and more people growing up in communities where guns owners are looked at skeptically and with generations growing up firearm ignorant.  When there's ignorance there's often judgment with what is not understood.  While the pendulum usually swings to extremes before landing in the middle, so does the issue with gun ownership and it's misunderstandings.  When choosing to own a weapon, you take on all responsibility that comes with it.  In our litigious society this can often come with a price, so thoughtful ownership is something ALL interested parties should consider carefully.

The Project Johnny Appleseed is a really cool community service event offered throughout the country. Sponsored by the Revolutionary War Veteran's Association, they have tried to bring back the good reputation of firearms.  Allowing people of all ages to gather and try out their marksmanship may be the key to retraining the anti-gun paranoid American psyche.  When living in an imperfect world unfortunately there always presents a time and a place to defend oneself.  It is unfortunate that we have to be in this mindset, but wishful thinking doesn't change this reality.  Having the knowledge to use a weapon doesn't mean society becomes trigger happy.  In fact, most folks who legally own or have training in weapons are the law abiding citizens of the country.  When we take away the rights of the law abiders, who's left?  The criminals will naturally own them because they will never be law abiders, especially of the second amendment.  So, who do we really want in possession of them?!

When ready, children can be taught how to handle a weapon properly with clear rules and boundaries (and a good locking safe when necessary).  In pioneer times it was common for older children to be left defending their homes while parents were away.  Child predators were not their biggest threat, but bears and other creatures were.  Anyone left with no defense is defenseless and bears pawing down doors may not be the threat today, but represents the truth that training for the unexpected at all ages is part of what can preserve the good in society and the ideals that once made America great.

Below is some additional information on the project:

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/index.html

"Project Appleseed is an activity of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to teaching every American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle marksmanship skills.  Our volunteer instructors travel across the country teaching those who attend about the difficult choices, the heroic actions, and the sacrifices that the Founders made on behalf of modern Americans, all of whom are their “progeny"".