When 16-year-old Haley Bullwinkle wore her NRA t-shirt to high school this week, she didn't fathom the controversy that would ensue. Neither, apparently, could the California school.
Bullwinkle's shirt, according to Yahoo! News, depicted a hunter and American flag around the slogan, "National Rifle Association of America, Protecting America's Traditions Since 1871". Officials asked her to change the shirt, citing the school dress code policy and its ban on clothing that "depicts and promotes violence," Yahoo! reported.
At the time, Bullwinkle cooperated, but later was reportedly overwhelmed by the incident, according to Yahoo! Her parents were outraged, especially her father, who passed down the t-shirt after it was given to him upon his membership into the NRA. He supported his daughter's character and claimed the incident violated Haley's first amendment rights.
"Haley is an excellent student," he said. "She doesn't get into trouble and would never harm or hurt anyone."
Bullwinkle seemed taken by her father's vigor.
"At first, it was just kind of me wearing that shirt to school like an every day thing," she said in an interview, as per Yahoo! "But now I feel it's a symbol of my rights that I'm supposed to have as an American."
The school admitted to mishandling the situation via an apology to the Bullwinkle family, reported Yahoo! To further rectify the incident, officials have made a vow to ensure such matters don't happen again.
"Campus staff will be trained so that an incident like this does not occur again," Superintendent Michael Christensen said.
Child psychologist Dr. Fran Walsh told Yahoo! she agreed the school district's policy was unfair, but felt its intentions were probably practical.
"We have an increase in violence in schools, so when a student wears anything provocative that stirs up a controversial issue like guns or being pro-guns, schools will react," she said. "I think schools have a right to enforce a dress code, but it should be clear and concise to avoid any misunderstandings like these. And it sounds like this was not handled properly.
"Everyone should go into an auditorium - teachers, parents, principals, students and administrators - and give everyone a chance to be heard and validated," Walsh said. "Then it will be up to the administration to make a decision on a dress code that has strict, clear rules."
