Actual letter from Mom to teacher Re: Son Enthusiasum w/hunting and Guns

This has to be the coolest Mom ever, and she tells it to the teacher. The family is active in outdoors activities, including shooting. Her son at six was well into hunting with his Dad.
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Dear Mrs. XXXX:

Generally I simply sign Wyatt’s reflection forms, but this one has struck a cord with me and I feel the need to comment. As mentioned in the reflection report, Wyatt has once again made shooting gestures, which is a violation of school safety and respect guidelines. As I mentioned in our parent/teacher conference, Wyatt is an avid hunter. At the age of six, Wyatt began hunting with his Dad. For two years, Wyatt was John’s walking partner, accompanying him in big game and waterfowl hunts. At the age of eight, John enrolled Wyatt in a 16-hour hunter safety course. For Wyatt’s ninth birthday, we purchased him a lifetime hunting license. Wyatt has been raised in the country and plays army, rather than sitting in front of a television. Rather than exposing our child to social media, video games, and reality TV, we expose him to fresh air, dirt, and imagination.

As a result of Wyatt’s need to hydrate himself, he has lost several recesses because he has needed to use the restroom more than once per day. As we both know, Wyatt’s penmanship needs improvement so I recently suggested to Wyatt that he writes when he looses his recess. Yesterday, January 28th, Wyatt wrote an essay on guns, which I have included for your review. The essay begins with “Guns as used for protection and hunting, not for killing.” His essay goes on to say that “It is illegal to poach animals” and “Guns are a privilege to have.” I see Wyatt’s essay as knowledge of safe gun ownership and this results in promoting safety, not violating safety guidelines.

I guess I am writing this letter for two reasons. The first reason is to say that I completely understand why guns are a frowned upon topic in schools. It is very sad that so many school shootings have occurred. I am sure I don’t need to point out that guns do not kill people, people kill people. Violence is everywhere and the tragic events that happen everyday are horrible. Wyatt fully understands that guns should not be used to harm humans and therefore means no ill will when making shooting gestures in the air. My understanding from Wyatt was that a classmate asked him if he had guns to which is responded “I have lots of guns” and made a shooting gesture.

My second reason for writing is to say how very proud I am of my son. Wyatt is an all American country boy. He is dirty, he pushes the boundaries, he doesn’t always listen to directions, and he is hardheaded. Wyatt is also fun loving, cares for everyone; try’s his hardest with academics, and LOVES THE OUTDOORS. Last night, when Wyatt brought home his gun essay, I couldn’t have been prouder. At the ripe old age of nine, Wyatt knows right from wrong when is comes to fires arms.

I should probably state the obvious that I will tell Wyatt not to talk about guns at school or make shooting gestures due to the environment. It saddens me that I have to explain to Wyatt that he has to basically hide his true passion so that he doesn’t get him in trouble. I would just like to ask that you recognize that Wyatt does not mean to violate safety and respect guidelines; he is simply trying to fit in. Believe it or not, XXXX Elementary has been a hard school for Wyatt to adapt to….after attending a one room house for three years. Due to Wyatt’s ethnicity, he is often excluded from games. Many times he has come home asking what certain Spanish words mean, only for me to have to try to hide the fact that kids are calling him bad names….and he just doesn’t understand. After a year and a half, Wyatt has finally found a group of boys that share the same interests and who he feel he relates to. Unfortunately, some of the same-shared interests revolve around hunting and the outdoors. I will make sure that Wyatt does not express his liking for guns at school in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.

Best regards,
"The Mom"