I brought a gun to school in the 4th grade for show and tell

My dad who was a historian and amateur archaeologists (and author on various subjects), insisted that I bring his 1860’s Springfield rifle to school around the year 1992. I was a private school kid in central MS, and things were certainly different back then. I obviously had by reservations, but my dad pressed the issue. He truly loves history…so I pull up to the school drop-off in our 1988/89 yellow dodge caravan (that smoked), stepped out of the car drop-off line holding a rifle considerably larger than myself and was met by a coach that taught hunters Ed. He examined the rifle, knew it was a percussion rifle, asked some questions and gave it back to me. I can’t remember if I brought it to class or had to keep it in the principal’s office, but I did get to do the show and tell part. Kids were crowded around the old rifle touching and asking questions…the answer I knew very few of…


Things were different then. I would be arrested today, even if it wasn’t my idea…but everyone got to touch and see a true piece of American history in a safe and monitored environment…a real piece of American history that they felt that day.