| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 4:28:12 PM | I find this thread quite interesting. I myself have been exposed to firearms since I was old enough to remember, I also know many others who have been exposed to firearms since they can remember. Not one I know myself included have used a firearm for any purpose than the activities we are interested in. My own children have been exposed to firearms since they were babies, and each and everyone of them have been taught to respect them, and taught they are NOT toys.
I have read hammers are used for construction not destruction, Last I seen a hammer is used for both, I also might add hammers have been used to take a life. Karate? um isn't that used for selfdefence, as well someone who is trained in Kartae has the capability to take a life as well.
To those who are paraniod about firearms, i would suggest the knife drawer be under lock n key, because they are used to take a life as well. My boy was been given a firearm for Christmas last yr, and before he was even allowed to fire it, He was taught the proper handling and storage of it. He knows full well what it is used for and looks forward to his first hunting excursion with his father. Something i am sure will drive his mother nuts, like someone else who has posted in here. LMAO.. When my son was 4 a neighbour's boy was over, picked up his toy rifle and started bang banging everyone there. My son at the age of FOUR took it from that boy and said. Mathew guns are NOT for shooting ppl, they are used for hunting. As a father i was beaming with pride because he GOT IT. Its not the firearms that are dangerous its the ppl who's hands they are in. If they are taught to handle them with respect and the proper use of them from a very young age then there should be no problems at all.
I am a member of PETA.. People Eating Tastie Animals  | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 4:34:38 PM | | Maybe this is just because im in Australia but i think that no child should be around guns... even if they had been taught or looked over with a responsible adult. accidents can happen and children dont always take things seriously and joke around... leading to injury and death. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 5:18:24 PM | OP,
if you email me off the forum, I can give you a couple of resources to help you out.
Unfortunatley your email restriction keep me from emailing you.
You have stated that your son is not mature enough to handle a gun, but you don't state if you have any in your home.
I have guns in my home, am a certified instructor and will not teach my 10 year old to shoot for another couple of years. Your concerns are well founded. Let's see if we can come up with a solution for the time being to help out. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 5:42:59 PM | There is another obviously noticable trend to this post , to me it shows that most US citezens are much more comfortable with the idea of teaching kids about guns instead of hoping kids don't learn on there own, but as seen in this post most places outside the us are more afraid of the idea.
We are a nation with the right to bare arms and we are CITIZENS as I notice when traveling in Europe others don't have the rights to bare arms an they are SUBJECTS . | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 6:05:00 PM |
We are a nation with the right to bare arms and we are CITIZENS as I notice when traveling in Europe others don't have the rights to bare arms an they are SUBJECTS .
No.
They are progressive, evolved. We are throwback, Neanderthal, hillbillies. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 6:13:28 PM | Seems there are more here than I thought that would say a six year old is old enough to learn how to shoot a gun.
I would like to think. What kind of gun? BB gun? 22cal? 22's are deadly! Maybe and just maybe a ten year old or older. I would say maybe not even a yes it depends on the boys understanding of how serious and easy it is to hurt someone. I took my son at ten to a shooting range with a 22 cal. rifile which was chained to the counter. That there was no way it would cause an accident. Then I would say yes. But six? No way.
I feel if they do learn at that age what would stop them from showing there friends or playing with them by themselves when daddy or mommy is just not around. Is it worth an eye or even a death. How easy it would be when they get into addolesance and they are shooting animals for fun?
Oh that was the first and last time my son shot a rifle with me. We tried it once at a dude ranch. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 7:40:56 PM |
Rivergirl74:Are you kidding me?! Do they live in Iraq or something?
No, just down the street actually We grew up in a rural community where hunting is a yearly occurrence. We learned that guns are necessary to provide for our family, not to harm people. And with the wild life(mainly black bears) being well known to help themselves into our home, we needed to know how to protect ourselves and our family. Not once did my brothers or I dare to point a gun at each other or would we have ever dreamt of taking one to school.
Nor was our mother concerned that our father was teaching us proper handling and care of firearms.
Rivergirl74:....its taken to school and there's another Colombine or Va. Tech shooting
Do you seriously think that Colombine happened because they were taught gun safety at a young age?
Rivergirl74:pass them a few condoms too. (insert rolly eye here)
Are we to not teach kids proper sex ed now either, or is that just going to make them go out and get laid? | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 8:02:25 PM | I think guns should be used for hunting and hunting only. That means wild animals only. Putting the idea that guns can/should be used to kill people ought to be left for soldiers. I question the motives of your ex.
As a Canadian I have never learned to use or shoot a gun. That said I do believe kids, when taught properly, can learn anything - including how to handle a firearm- even at very young ages. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 8:49:55 PM | Ok after reading what the Op said about her ex I agree that HE should not teach ANYONE about guns period. I would be afraid that he will glorify what they will do to a person. If you have full LEGAL custody there is something you can do about it. Talk to a lawyer, and have a letter sent to him that informs him of the consequences of him going against your will. I still think that it is not too early for him to learn to RESPECT firearms.
That being said do not bash me for going back on what I said. I just don't think her ex will do a good job of the teaching. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/4/2007 9:39:08 PM | No magic age... Seeing the differences between my 9yr old girl and 4 yr old boy has been quite educational to me. Each child needs to be assessed individually.
I would base it more on the child and their maturity level than any specific age they should be. I own several guns myself and have not considered teaching either child how to use them in the near future.
I would eventually like to do that for both of them. I view proper handling of a weapon similar to driving a car. I think it is a useful skill that every adult should have in their possession. (When facing a life or death situation is not the time to learn how to drive a car / shoot a gun / perform first aid / perform CPR, etc...) | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 3:55:48 AM | "I am a member of PETA.. People Eating Tastie Animals "
You should join the military, I could just see you rolling around with laughter, when the odds where 50/50 | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 4:11:16 AM | haha sex...another interesting topic my ex and I dont agree on...he insists he is taking them to the bunny ranch when they turn 16 so they learn from "someone experienced" now if he is serious about that i have no clue...does it bother me.....HELL YES IT DOES. He thinks that since he is their father he can do as he pleases.
I dont have full custody I am considered the Residentual Parent and he has visitation. I dont know what I can or cannot do to stop him from any of this but plan to seek some kinda of legal advice. Maybe it will be good news but who knows. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 4:32:33 AM | I live in the UK but visit Houston and Florida quite frequenly and I know for a fact that
there are laws about the age some can use a gun. I know most states have their own
laws so if I were you I'd take a ride down to your local D.As office and find out.....
Or even go see a judge and see what he says... A 7 year old should never be anywhere
near a gun......Failing that, come live in the UK....free medical, cheap car insurance,
free education and cheap cheap flights to anywhere in the world...
Jim UK | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 7:05:56 AM | | You yanks are funny lol. Teaching a kid to shoot a gun for real - sounds like madness to me. But suppose being a brit, we are used to not having guns everywhere. What about a Playstation 2 with a light gun? All the fun and no harm done! No offence meant anywhere here by the way!! | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 7:25:45 AM | | Well i too would be concerned about the use of farm animals for teaching sex ed. But wantsumthinreal i am sure hes yanking your chain, because he knows how to, and you fall for it. But as far as what he does with the child/ren while in his care. Don't be susprised if seeking legal advice yor not laughed at by trying to CONTROL the fathers activities with the Child/ren. I am sure there would be great issues on your part if he tried to CONTROL what activites you do with the child/ren. Its not a one way street here. What he does with the child/ren is his business. After all he IS the Father, and has the RIGHT to do what ever he wants as long as the child/ren are not in harms way or are being abused. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 9:22:44 AM |
eastbo: Failing that, come live in the UK....
heh heh I'm reminded of a comedian that was talking about police in the UK. If they're chasing a burglar they're like "Stop thief! Or...or...I'll ask you again to stop."
I've come across two parenting styles when it comes to guns. My dad never had a gun and made sure to keep me away from them. That style may keep the guns away but it does make one ignorant about gun safety. My friend's dad took me out shooting when I was around 8 or so. I learned a lot about gun safety that day before I even wielded the weapon - and those few times I actually hit my target he showed me the holes and asked what would have happened if those hit a person. I learned a healthy respect for firearms that day.
Personally I prefer the parenting style of teaching kids gun safety. If you tell the kids guns are bad stay away they just get more curious and want to use them secretly. And when they do, thanks to their parents, they'll be ignorant about them when they do find them. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 10:13:13 AM | As long as your child has proper insturctions from a responsible adult or get prpoer training from a firearm educator there should be no proble, as long as it is done in a safe way. Im an certifed instructro and have started teaching my kid at age 5 to know and hadle firearms, im very proud of her she is not scared of them and when she see them she know how to hold and make sure they are safe to view in a very safe manner.
This is for her protection, how many time have i heard of kids playing with a gun as not knowing it was loaded, i know my gal can safley check a firearm and make sure it is pointed in a safe direction, that will not harm ppl.
fireams dont kill ppl , ppl kill ppl, so get the education you need and help you child not just for your kid but even for yourself, make a project you can do with him i bet he would be surpized if mom even learned more than dad, and speeking on the mens side yes we do think a bit rammy i find that any females in my class follow instruction to the T and andel gun way safer than most men, sorry guy it true
if dad is safe so will you child
have fun shoot safe put his paper taget on the frige | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 10:24:04 AM | I am definitely in the minority in the US. I am a firm believer in strict gun control and don't believe handguns or assault weapons should be sold to civilians - EVER.
I never allowed toy guns, knives, or any other weapons in my home.
As far as hunting is concerned, I am not a fan of it and don't believe children should be participating in it - because there are too many accidents. And no matter how much YOUR kid knows, or YOUR father/brother/husband knows, there is the possibility the other idiot out there may not practice the safety you have taught your family.
But that's my opinion.
As far as learning about firearm safety, I believe 6 is the PERFECT age to start - simply because the possibilty exists that your child may be in a home of someone who believes having a gun in the house is protection (I do not agree) - it may NOT be locked up - it MAY be loaded - and your child should know the consequences so that he doesn't get hurt. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 10:44:03 AM |
As far as hunting is concerned, I am not a fan of it and don't believe children should be participating in it - because there are too many accidents. And no matter how much YOUR kid knows, or YOUR father/brother/husband knows, there is the possibility the other idiot out there may not practice the safety you have taught your family.
As opposed to how many accidents chidren are in compared to other activites. Acutally handling a firearm while hunting compared to other activites(sports) is much safer. More children make ER visits from playing on trampolines.
But i would be interested in reading stats you can provide as to how many accidents there are while hunting compared to hockey, socccer, golf,bike riding, and trampolines.
Strict gun control? I am in a nation that has strict gun control, funny thing is, the crime rate involving firearms because of said strict gun control really hasn't gone down.
Ignorance is bliss knowledge is power. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 11:33:52 AM | wantsumthinreal
haha sex...another interesting topic my ex and I don't agree on...he insists he is taking them to the bunny ranch when they turn 16 so they learn from "someone experienced" now if he is serious about that i have no clue...does it bother me.....HELL YES IT DOES. He thinks that since he is their father he can do as he pleases. I dont have full custody I am considered the Residentual Parent and he has visitation. I dont know what I can or cannot do to stop him from any of this but plan to seek some kinda of legal advice. Maybe it will be good news but who knows. well my X wife has basically the same custody as your X and we have been to court many many times on more serious stuff . though I don't personal believe you are right in this situation , what the judge will end up telling you is that until he (your X) actual does something that harms the child you can't do anything legally witch really sucks . My x actual tried to swipe my little one form school a few years ago to take him out of state and because they caught her and didn't let him leave the judge told me the same thing Not sure how to responded to taking a kid to a bunny ranch to explain sex, I can say my kids grow up on a farm and there isn't a whole lot left to explain onestplustwo I am definitely in the minority in the US. I am a firm believer in strict gun control and don't believe handguns or assault weapons should be sold to civilians - EVER.
I never allowed toy guns, knives, or any other weapons in my home.
As far as hunting is concerned, I am not a fan of it and don't believe children should be participating in it - because there are too many accidents. And no matter how much YOUR kid knows, or YOUR father/brother/husband knows, there is the possibility the other idiot out there may not practice the safety you have taught your family.
But that's my opinion.
As far as learning about firearm safety, I believe 6 is the PERFECT age to start - simply because the possibilty exists that your child may be in a home of someone who believes having a gun in the house is protection (I do not agree) - it may NOT be locked up - it MAY be loaded - and your child should know the consequences so that he doesn't get hurt.
the problem with stick gun control is it only takes away form good people and it is naive to say the least of anyone to think that it would even slow down a criminals there going to by or steal or build assault weapons or what ever else they want and really don't give a hoot about the laws !
hunting I handled my first gun at three and been hunting pretty much all my life I understand that there are people who don't like it or agree with it and that is fine it is what the US constitution grants us as citizens. And over the years yes I can say I have seen a few people that I will not hunt around or let my kids around most of these are people who have just started handling a gun at say 21 or 45 what ever the case may be but I have seen allot more people driving cars that I would not want my kids anywhere near . my point is there is always the possibility the other idiot out there may not practice the safety no matter what you or your kids are doing and by not educating them you are adding to the problem........... I mean really think about you can kill someone with a normal ever day ink pen but you don't see people yelling for sticker "pen control" because they have been taught it is a simple tool and the proper safe way to use it | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 11:47:44 AM | Ok, I am proponent of guns. I love to go out shooting, and relieve stress. I used to hunt, but it doesn't do much for me. Give me a paper or cardboard (even steel) target any day of the week. It is a lot of fun to shoot, and shoot well.
As for the OP's son. From your posts about your son, I would be a little concerned. Kids should learn how to shoot, is my FIRM belief. Not teaching them about guns, can get them in more trouble. Whether you own guns, is up to you.
But, as I was saying, you state that your son is not ready, and back it up with some very valid reasons. I would tend to go with you, on these reasons. Give your son a year or so to mature, though, it sounds like it is a ways away, and your son may gain the maturity needed.
I really don't get all the anti-gun sentiment. The majority of shootings here in the US, are perpetrated by people breaking the law. Look at the Virginia Tech shooting. You are not allowed to have guns on campus. That makes schools basically a target rich environment. It is honestly scary to me.
I grew up shooting. My dad was a hunters ed instructor, from when I was very young. I started shooting .22 rifles when I was about 5 or 6. I had guns the entire time I was growing up. I used to own all kinds of toy guns, and a bb gun, and we had a pellet rifle near our back door for shooting sparrows and starlings (they passed on diseases and lice to our chickens and other domestic birds). I have never gone out, and shot up people. If someone tried to hurt me, or those I love, I am perfectly capable of defending them or myself. It is not the law-abiding citizens you have to worry about. It is those that get the guns illegally. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 12:31:13 PM |
But i would be interested in reading stats you can provide as to how many accidents there are while hunting compared to hockey, socccer, golf,bike riding, and trampolines. .
If a child falls off a trampoline and has to go to the ER, chances are he's not dead. And the only person he's hurt is himself.
On the other hand, if some idiot who DOESN'T know how to use a rifle or practice good hunting safety in the woods randomly shoots, it's MY son (or someone else's) that gets hurt.
Similar to drinking and driving - it's rarely the drunk driver that gets killed.
As for teaching my children about firearms, I have. I have taught them that unless they are hunters (which they are not) or soldiers (which they are not), there is no valid reason for them to be handling a gun - ever. Under any circumstances. There is no purpose for them in our lives.
I chuckle at the people who keep a gun in their home "for protection" and tell me "I keep the gun locked in one cabinet and the ammunition somewhere else." So when someone breaks into your home, are you going to ask them to wait while you unlock the ammunition, unlock the gun, load the gun, and shoot?
There are three valid reasons for having firearms in your home:
1. You are a collector (in which case the firearms should be unloaded, there should be no ammunition in the house, and the firearms should be locked).
2. You are a soldier and/or a police officer - in which case the ammunition should be removed from the gun the minute you walk into the house and put somewhere where the child cannot find it.
3. You are a hunter (and unless animals are coming into your living room, your hunting rifles should NOT be loaded).
As for "locking up the knives," it's unlikely someone is going to "fall" on your knife. More accidents happen with firearms because children are "playing" with them than anything else - which, although you may teach your child that guns are not a toy, they're still CHILDREN. More people die at the hands of their own guns than use those guns to protect their families.
There is no reason for them - none - not in my opinion. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 1:06:29 PM | ok for those that dont know...The Bunny Ranch is a LEGAL whore house in Vegas...that is where he is saying he is taking my kids to have sex when they are 16 so they get experience....yes my ex is twisted and if that is just him being funny..sorry not laughing!
I am pretty sure I can do nothing to stop him and I can only sit, wait and see if my son gets hurt and then and only then can I do anything. It sucks but hey that is the law for ya I suppose! | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 11/5/2007 1:07:24 PM | If a child falls off a trampoline and has to go to the ER, chances are he's not dead. And the only person he's hurt is himself
They may not be dead, but they could very well be paralized. It doesn't matter what the activity is there's always a certain amount of danger invloved. But again i will say. Hunting is one of the most safest activites compared to others children are in volved in.
Your opinion is yours that's fine just as those who have firearms, and educate our children in the proper use and safe handling of them is ours. But children make more ER visits from other activites than they will from handling a firearm, or from others handling a firearm around them. | |
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