Zach Stalcup
Staff Writer

Only in San Ramon can Nerf guns become scrutinized and treated like real weapons.

Last month, hundreds of seniors began its annual game of Assassins.

The game is set up by a group of students known as the Godfathers, who organize and regulate the game. The objective is to find and shoot each other with Nerf guns.
Soon after the game began, Cal High’s administration sent out an email to parents of all seniors, explaining details of the game and possible dangers that may arise.

Attached to the email, were the 22 rules formally decided by the four Godfathers to keep the game fun, fair and, most importantly, safe.

“We’re not sure if our students have thought all of this through,” reads the email.

The email focused mainly on the fact that students are shooting each other with guns and bullets. Nerf gun products have an age recommendation of ages seven and up.
People see the brightly colored neon guns and realize it is nothing more than a play toy. But in the hands of a Cal High senior, these guns become grounds for police involvement.

Administrators’ concerns to keep students safe is genuine and should be taken seriously, but some of the statements made in the email are a bit irrational.

“The game itself seems innocent enough, but the way the game is played (i.e. “assassinating” other players when they are not expecting it) has potential tragic consequences,” reads the email. Really?

“Potential tragic consequences” sounds like students are getting shot with real guns as opposed to Nerf guns. For as long as Cal students have played Assassins, the most tragic consequence is the humiliation of getting shot on the first day.

For as much as I know the worst injury received while playing Assassins was a twisted ankle from chasing a target.

With all of the rules and restrictions this year, the game is safer than ever at Cal. Dougherty Valley High also started a game of Assassins in early February. Comparing both schools, Cal is much safer.

Dougherty allows drive-by shootings, shooting at moving cars, and shooting people in public buildings. While most students would prefer Dougherty’s rules, those concerned with safety would agree that Cal’s rules are better.

What it boils down to is this:teenagers are the least trusted of age groups in our society. They are constantly double checked and doubted. And as soon as you put a gun, even a bright neon green and orange gun, in the hands of the least trusted people in society, people react.

There is no easy way to handle the game of Assassins. It’s a lot of work for the Godfathers and players. But it is a game that is played and run by students. As long as they follow school rules, it shouldn’t be part of administrators’ jobs to warn parents about the game.