The school board for Broken Bow Public Schools in Nebraska unanimously voted to allow students to pose with firearms in yearbook photos. For the rural community of 3,500, hunting, skeet, and trap are popular activities and firearms are a common sight.
Brian Baer, a local photographer, told BuzzFeed News that guns in yearbook photos are pretty normal. "Football players bring footballs, softball players bring bats, dancers bring tutus, and hunters bring guns," Baer said.
He said that the students usually sling them over a shoulder and never point them at the camera, which he said would create an uncomfortable experience for anyone viewing the image.
Guns are not allowed on school grounds, so all yearbook photos that include them are taken off-site. Currently, about half of schools in the district allow guns in yearbook photos.
"Students who bring firearms into our studio always have the highest level of respect and safety for their weapon," Baer said. "Hunting is just part of our community. Hunting is generally a family activity."
