The 50-60 seniors who graduate from the Broken Bow Public Schools in central Nebraska each year now have the option of posing with their firearms for their yearbook portraits.
Although the schools maintain a no-gun policy on school grounds, some students and parents questioned if the official portraits would allow students to showcase their guns, given that the community has a rich hunting community.
"The board I believe felt they wanted to give students who are involved in those kinds of things the opportunity to take a senior picture with their hobby, with their sport, just like anybody with any other hobby or sport," Superintendent Mark Sievering said of the 6-0 vote to approve guns in yearbook photos.
In the past, the district did not have any official stance on having guns in school photos; however, they were discouraged due to concerns about violence. However, the new yearbook photo policy now states that students may pose with items that showcase their hobbies, interests, and passions whether that be a musical instrument, a sports medal, or a hunting rifle.
Sievering stressed that all photos will still undergo a case-by-case screening process to ensure they are tasteful and appropriate. He also said that he believes many other schools across the country probably already allow guns in photos and certain restrictions, such as following the school's dress code will still be enforced.
As well, no photos of guns being pointed at the camera will be permitted, and photos showing animals in distress will also not be allowed.
The rural town 65 miles northwest of Kearney has a community of 3,500 and many residents share a passion for shooting. The annual Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt draws many visitors from all over the country to Broken Bow and many of the town's kids shoot and hunt competitively.
In addition to guns, students will also be permitted to pose with game trophies such as antlers or animals they have killed.
