Queensland kindergarten gives toy gun licences to kids | Homestead Security | Forums

I like it, teach the kids about gun safety instead of punishing them like the way we do here in America, crazy that it is in Australia

A south-east Queensland kindergarten has embraced children's interest in toy guns by issuing them with their own licence.

The director of the Kilkivan Kindergarten, Anne Bicknell, said the toy gun licensing program was activated "as needed" when a child showed an interest in using or playing with guns.

Located in a rural area west of Gympie, she said many children at the centre came from properties where parents had guns, so the centre's approach was to educate and encourage responsible play rather than ban gun play all together.

Ms Bicknell said the program, which has been in place since 2011, was originally initiated because of a child who was "obsessed" with guns.

"He had lots of toy guns and we just couldn't find a good reason to say no to him ... that's where it all began," she said.

"That year in particular, there was a whole group of them and they were all off farms and the girls too, they were all used to Mum and Dad shooting, dare I say, wild dogs and whatever they do shoot on the farm.

"These country kids run the full gamut of what a gun can be used for in a rural setting; it's just part of their life experience.
"So we set up the gun play here where they could bring it [the toy gun] in and we discuss about responsible play."

more http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-21/kilkivan-kindergarten-issues-toy-gun-licences/7529452