Should Minnesota Communities Have More Involvement in Nerf Wars?
If you are over 30 years old, it’s likely that you’ve done a few crazy things in your life that you are fortunate you weren’t seriously injured or worse.
I’m 52, and I like to say I’ve done my fair share of “stupid” and its proof that GOD is still in the miracle business that I’m here and still have most of my facilities and that no one was serious injured along the way.
Most of the “stupid” we’ve done happened in our younger years.
This week, I heard of “Nerf Wars” for the first time since I moved to Minnesota, and to say I’m confused and concerned is an understatement.
I get that there are things that people do in certain communities that become a part of the history of that area, but normally these things don’t put people's lives at risk.
I first heard of “Nerf Wars” and thought, “Oh that sounds kind of fun” but when I learned that two teens died in 2015 because they were playing while driving that’s when I became concerned.
A report on Fox 9 says that Nerf Wars aren’t illegal, but some areas have banned them. Well, which is it. Are they legal? Or can and should they be banned?
I am not naive enough to think because something is deemed illegal, people won’t do it. I even lean to the side of embracing certain things to help keep them safe.
So, is Nerf Wars worth supporting and controlling? If these have been going on for over 10 years, then it seems like there should be a way of setting up structure to elevate the fun and most importantly the safety.
Back in the 1990’s in North Carolina and many other states around the country, “Project Graduation” became a popular annual tradition.
Graduating Seniors were invited to an all-night celebration where they could spend time with their classmates and friends, dance, sing, win prizes and overall, just have a good time.
This concept came along after graduating seniors were killed following celebrations where alcohol was being served and the teens then got behind the wheel.
“Project Graduation” celebrations became an idea the whole community would support. Businesses would help sponsor the event, some would give prizes away, and everyone took an interest in doing as much as possible to keep their graduates safe.
Surely there are enough intelligent people and teens who could create a space or event where this tradition could continue, and the safety of the participants and everyone else could be secured as much as possible.
There are rules in place, but most are “hoping” the high schoolers follow them. Hope?
If communities and authorities are going to say we don’t support this, but we can’t stop it, to me they bear some responsibility if something bad happens. Make the effort to have this be a tradition that fits in with society, not one that puts everyone in jeopardy.
In my mind, ban the games, or work with teens from the schools involved and allow them to have ownership in setting up a forum where the games are the focus and those who don’t want to be involved don’t have to be.
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