Wyoming School Removes “Offensive” Post of Students Shooting

Just a few days ago I was on the air praising the Hot Spring County Schools for proudly posting a photo of students with air rifles during target practice at their school gym.

Guess I spoke too soon. Someone thought the photo was "offensive" and the school took it down.

But now people are offended that the photo was taken down. What about their opinion?

This is a true damned-if-you-do damned-if-you-don't situation for the school.

It would have been better if they were just proud and defiant. 

These Thermopolis students participating in an air rifle program and gun safety course went viral on the internet.

“Mr. Deromedi’s 5/6th PE classes are working on their marksmanship with air rifles!” the post read. “All students passed their safety test and have been sharpening their skills.”

When asked why the post was taken down Superintendent Dustin Hunt said he regretted that it was “found offensive by others.”

“As a small rural Wyoming community with a K-12 district of 681 students, we maintain social media pages primarily to celebrate our students and inform our patrons,” said the Superintendent in a statement on Wednesday. “Our intent is to simply share the excellent work being done by our students and staff and we regret that any of our content is found offensive by others.”

When last seen the post had 66,000 shares and 6,000 comments that were a mixed bag of positive and negative reactions.

Dear Superintendent, with all due respect:

It is not a good idea to take a post down because a few are wrongly offended.

Rather, be proud that your Wyoming school district is wise enough to teach gun safety.

What about the people who are now offended that you took the post down? What about their feelings and their opinion?

Mr. Hunt, please put the picture back up along with a note stating how proud you are of these students and the values that the people of Wyoming hold dear.