A Cub Scout Says He Was Kicked Out Of His Den After Asking About Gun Control

Last week, one young Cub Scout's two-minute long question about gun control got him kicked out of his local den, his mother says. The boy's den (the name of a local Cub Scouts group) had met with Colorado State Senator Vicki Marble. When it was his turn, the 11-year-old took out his researched question and read it to her, according to his mother. Among the topics he raised in his gun control question was, "Why on earth would you want someone who beats their wife to have access to a gun?"

The Cub Scouts have not officially responded to the allegations, aside from to say, "The Boy Scouts of America and the Denver Area Council are pleased that the family will continue their participation in Scouting ... We are committed to working with families to find local units that best fit their needs."

Marble has a history of supporting anti-gun control laws. She responded to the Scout by discussing her concealed carry permit, and critiqued gun-free zones, arguing that "the more guns a society has, the less crime or murders are committed." That's not true, but Marble certainly answered the boy's question with respect. (Bustle has reached out to Marble for comment.)

The local Scouts group, on the other hand, allegedly had a different response. The boy's mother, Lori Mayfield, claims that the leader of the Cub Scout pack (a level above dens) contacted her and that they met at a Chipotle to talk over the issue. "He let me know in so many words that the den leader was upset about the topic of gun control,” Mayfield told The New York Times. “It was too politically charged.” Bustle has reached out to Scouts at the local, regional, and national level for comment.

The boy's question was initially praised by a Scout leader, as can be heard on the YouTube video that his mom filmed and uploaded. "That is a really thorough question," the leader says, cutting off the boy. "I had no idea that you'd put that much work, that's a great question."

Here's part of what the young boy asked Marble:

An issue that I'm concerned about is common sense gun control. I was shocked that you sponsored a bill to allow domestic violence offenders to continue to own a gun, in spite of studies that show they're more likely to use those weapons against their accusers.

The entire question is carefully put and heavily researched. The boy also brought up issues like background checks, concealed carry laws, and that some Las Vegas victims are relying on GoFundMe campaigns to pay for their health care.

"There's something wrong in our country where Republicans believe it's a right to own a gun, but a privilege to have health care," he adds. He also quotes studies that show Coloradans support some gun control by large margins, which matches national numbers.

The boy has appeared on local news programs since being kicked out. "I know that they probably don't want me back, and I know they're probably still mad at me," he told Denver 9 News, while showing off his merit badges and belt loops. He said it's his favorite thing to do. "I'm really heartbroken that my den leader, which I really felt like I had a pretty good relationship with decided to kick me out."

"I don't think any child should be banned for asking a tough question," Mayfield told the 9 News. She contends that she didn't help her son prepare, and that the question was all his work. Also she questioned why his topic, gun control, was so controversial when other kids asked about fracking, the border wall, and other tricky topics for politicians.

Some local Colorado Boy Scout troops have tried to distance themselves from the controversy. "We are an inclusive group regardless of Politics, Religion, Gender, and Race. We have a very diverse group of young men in our Troop and we are proud of ALL of them for what they bring to our community," the website of a Boy Scout troop in Broomfield reads.