NCJ Number
196158
Date Published
2001
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video, accompanied by a discussion guide, uses McGruff the Crime Dog to teach children in grades kindergarten through 6th grade about principles of gun safety.
Abstract
The video and discussion guide are designed to assist in educating youth about the proper course of action when encountering a firearm. In the video, Scruff tells his uncle McGruff that a friend, Jimmy, has found his father's gun in a closet and wants the neighborhood kids to come over and see it. McGruff immediately reacts, telling Scruff that children should not even touch a gun without adult supervision. He advises Scruff about the big difference between make-believe guns that kids see on television and real-life guns that can hurt people. McGruff tells Scruff that even toy guns must be handled with care. He cautions Scruff to never point a toy gun at anyone, because the person might believe it is a real gun. McGruff also points out that BB guns are not toy guns and that a BB can seriously injure a person if used improperly. Through the advice of McGruff, Scruff and his friends learn that it is never right to settle an argument with a gun. McGruff also tells the children that if they ever see a gun in the hands of children, they should leave the area and tell a responsible adult. The discussion guide is intended to help teachers focus students' attention on the themes and messages of the video and stimulate a discussion among class participants.