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.
