Should we have Firearms Safety Education in our Schools?

Every time there is a tragic accidental shooting, it can be certain that the debate over gun rights and gun safety will reemerge. The latest shootings triggered another debate, at least on KOMO radio’s “the Commentators”.   Should Gun Safety be taught in the schools?

The National Rifle Association does have a decent program that is aimed at younger children.  The Eddie Eagle safety program teaches children in pre-K through third grade four important steps to take if they find a gun. These steps are presented by the program's mascot, Eddie Eagle^®, in an easy-to-remember format consisting of the following simple rules:

If you see a gun:

STOP!
Don't Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.

The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program isn't to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather to promote the protection and safety of children. The program makes no value judgments about firearms, and no firearms are ever used in the program. Like swimming pools, electrical outlets, matchbooks and household poison, they're treated simply as a fact of everyday life. With firearms found in about half of all American households, it's a stance that makes sense.
Eddie Eagle is never shown touching a firearm, and he does not promote firearm ownership or use. The program prohibits the use of Eddie Eagle mascots anywhere that guns are present. The Eddie Eagle Program has no agenda other than accident prevention -- ensuring that children stay safe should they encounter a gun. The program never mentions the NRA. Nor does it encourage children to buy guns or to become NRA members. The NRA does not receive any appropriations from Congress, nor is it a trade organization. It is not affiliated with any firearm or ammunition manufacturers or with any businesses that deal in guns and ammunition.
But is that the answer?

I grew up in a time where this question would not have even come up.  I grew up in a time when many of our Nation’s high schools not only had discussions on Firearms Safety, but had a rifle team that shot competition matches and was a lettering sport.  When I was 8 years old I took and passed the National Rifle Association Firearms Safety Course that was required of all hunters.  As my father was the coach for the Wilson High School Rifle Team, I was exposed to firearms relatively early.  I would go shoot with the Wilson High Team on Saturday mornings upstairs at the old Point Defiance Boathouse. I quickly became a marksman with small bore rifles.
Saturday was not my only day to go shooting.  I joined the McCord Sportsmen Rifle Club which had practice on Tuesday and Thursday and the Fort Lewis Rod and Gun Club which practiced on Wednesday. By age 14, I was a seasoned competitor in match competition and had earned the rank of Distinguished Expert, which required the ability to, on a regular basis shoot a near perfect score. 
I bring this up for a point.  I grew up around firearms and even had my target rifle stored under my bed.  I often had over 5000 rounds of 22 ammo (since that is how we purchased it) also stored nearby.  I knew the danger of firearms and that they were not toys.  There was never any thought of accidental shootings and gun storage.
Somewhere in the mid 70’s it seemed many of the Tacoma schools dropped their rifle teams.  I heard a rumor (since I had moved to California by this time) that the debate centered on these rifle teams were teaching our children about guns and was too militaristic. I do not know if that is true, but I have heard similar statements from many different people.  I spent more than 8 years involved in competition and rifle clubs and did not seem to grow up too out of control.  I also choose to look at other options than the military, so it did not seem to indoctrinate me.
I believe that our children today are constantly exposed to guns, but not always in a healthy way.  Video games, television and exposure to violence all teach our children something about guns.  But the debate is whether we should teach simple gun safety in schools?  I would think that this is the first thing we would do is to try to counter all of the hype and misinformation children gather from video games and movies. I would even take it a step further and bring back the rifle teams.  In all of my years, I have never heard of a member of a youth rifle team accidently shooting anyone.  We know that rifle was a toll for us to use and compete with, not a toy and not something to carelessly handle.