With what seems like daily reports of children getting injured or killed, and even killing others with firearms, one Iowan mother of three, Melody Lauer, has decided to take matters into her own hands. She takes the stand of being neither pro-guns nor anti-guns, but instead focuses on safety practices for parents with concealed handguns, who want to carry their kids at the same time.

After working part time in a gun shop and part time at a parenting center, simultaneously, Lauer decided to combine her expertise. She conducted a quick Internet search, discovering that gun-related sites and parenting sites are flooded with the same types of issues related to guns. So, she created a class aimed primarily at parents of small children, parents who “babywear,” the act of carrying an infant or small child in a sling or other type of carrier.

Appropriately named, “Babywearing and Carrying,” this class made its debut at Crossroads Shooting Sports. The class went over so well that registration had to be closed for that session, but Barry Snell, owner of the shooting range, immediately opened registration for future classes.

What should participants expect during class?

• Using dummy guns to help gain confidence and get comfortable before switching to a real gun;
• Real-life scenarios of defending themselves while protecting their children; and
• A variety of holsters to ensure each participant can choose the most comfortable way to carry a concealed gun along with their child.

So, what do you think readers? Is this class the next innovative training when it comes to firearm safety? Or, do you think this is a terrible idea that promotes irresponsible gun ownership by having a baby and a gun on your person at the same time?