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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 12:36:57 PM | I started my little lad off with a bow at age 5. You know, the cute pack with two rubber suction cup arrows. I trained him in its use and safety...not to mention watching him like a hawk. He applied himself and got VERY accurate and VERY responible with it. At age 6 I got him a compound bow with real arrows. He did the same as before...responsible and trustworthy with them. He can take rabbits & squirrels on the move with ease. I also train him in martial arts and with a variety of chinese/japanese weapons. As always, Responsibility and Honor are key ingrediants to bringing up a child to be a responsible adult. you don't just wait until a child SHOWS responsibility, you put him/her in situations that DEMAND it and see how they react, and teach them proper behavior as you go...essentialy the same as military training.
He now at age 9 wants to start on airsoft...the hangup there is his mother. I have no problem with it as he has shown the proper mindset to use a tool in the way it was intended and frankly, the airsoft gun is far less dangerous than his bow & arrows. His mother, on the other hand, has not handled a rifle since Army Boot Camp and is rather fearful of them still...
Be that as it may, by bringing up the boy with knives, bows, and responsibility means that he is far less likely to pull a Dylon Clebold than someone who has not had the experience in being responsible with weapons. In years to come I'll train him in the proper use of firearms along with his grandfather's training (retired Marine Scout) and the very fact that he will know that if he ever does anything out of step with a firearm he will have to worry more about Me & Grandpa nailing his @$$ to the wall from 1000 yards out than he will about police. The US legal system means justice MIGHT be meted out by the Gov't...on the other hand he KNOWS that me & Grandpa are a couple of mean old bastiches that will most definitely hunt him down like a rabid hound if he steps across the lines.  | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 1:24:31 PM | msg #37: "Oh no OP, dont worry about it til one of them misfires, or its taken to school and there's another Colombine or Va. Tech shooting. While your at it, pass them a few condoms too. "
Uhhh....correct me if I'm wrong, but the shooters at Colombine & Va Tech were not children. And as I recall in both instances, they turned their guns on themselves and commited suicide when they finished their murdering sprees. So I don't think the guns were to blame....probably more just their mental illness. Maybe a little depression thrown in the mix, too. Irrelevant to OP's question. Just an anti-gun person's opinion (which by the way, I will defend to the death you right to have.)
To answer your question OP, it depends on the child's maturity level. Personally, I was 7 when I received and was taught how to shoot my 4-10 shotgun. And I was busting clay targets that same day. Rather than going on to shoot classmates, I went on to qualify Expert with my M16 in the US Army. Somehow, I think that has something to do with my upbringing, mental health, and respect for guns I was taught rather than the age at which it was taught to me.
My opinion is (depending on what kind of custody you two share), if it is something you and he can't come to agreement on and neither are willing to compromise your position, then petition the court to make a determination. At least in joint custody arrangements, each parent is supposed to have a 50% say in major child rearing decisions, i.e. education, religion, etc. Doesn't matter the physical custody. Let an arbitrator decide it if you two can't.
But that JMHO.
~ds~ | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 2:06:49 PM | [quotewe are Canadian.
The OP is American as are the majority of posters who have said they shoot guns with their kids.
This is one example of how our Canadian and American values differ.
The US has lax gun laws whereas Canada have much stricter gun laws, all relevant to the issue of kids and guns.
Somewhat condescending remark?
I have not shot guns for a long time...Like boy scouts....but in my teens I did shoot a pellet gun regularly with a friend as his father a Ranking RCMP officer gave us lessons in responsible practises.
My ex now has a bf who shoots often. They have taken both my children to the range and have shot targets. From what i can understand it is mainly 22's but there was a big rifle and some pistol practise as well.
Now being the custodial parent i was asked if i would object. it was not my first choice but I also stand by the presumption that I have no right to impede what my ex does with the children on her time unless I feel there is a real safety concern.
This is a gun club where they go and the bf is I understand is even a certified instructor.
But the reality is where are parents able to draw the line in respect to what a custodial or non custodial will do with their children when they are on their time. Personally I thing the comments of safety are simply the result of one parent desiring to have the last say or ultimate control. Yes one may not agree with something but if the other party is desiring something and it is legal within society then who are you to determine what your ex will do on their time!
So even in Canada there are children who shoot guns. So much for your presumtion of different values? | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 3:03:53 PM | Well i live in the UK and to a certain extent we don't have guns that readily available as you seem to in the States...BUT..
I do have a Son..who turned 5 last week, and we shoot, i take him hunting during the season - we don't keep a gun in the house, but he has seen them, knows some of the functions and because we are picking up Pheasants & Partridge he knows the damage they can do.. for a 5yr old he is well informed about a lot of things, i have shown him how to pluck and gut pheasants and my ex has shown him how to skin rabbits - the days we go shooting are good days out ( we beat and pick up for The Queen in Windsor ) so there is a lot of us, and the camaraderie is excellent, and is a totally controlled environment where he learns about the animals, the weapons, the habitat.. and could probably tell you some of the ingrediants of a homemade damson gin as we have competitions every week..!!
In your case though i have to concur and agree with you..your ex is nothing if not a bit irresponsible, to even be handling his firearm while drinking makes the hair on my neck stand on end, and if he was my ex.. i would have real concerns.
I do believe though that if done correctly with proper respect and understanding of what you are handling there is no reason why your child can't learn - as my child is.. and he is loving learning about it, we have a freezer with Pheasant in it and he loves the fact we plucked and gutted it together.
My wishes go out to you, and i hope you can get it resolved. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 5:30:49 PM | | my son can use a BB gun when he is 13. real gun??? you will NEVER catch me giving him a real gun | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 8:16:11 PM | That realy sucks.. what an ass your kids dad is..Try an go to court an get conditions stating that he cannot let your child shoot a gun an if he does let him don`t let your child near him .. My childs safety is first an wouldn`t let my child in that situation..if you have no choice to let you kid see him just hope that he shoot s his dad.. lol..In the foot thats all ..he he, | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/18/2008 9:12:53 PM | Someone that has been hunting in the woods alone since I was 10 which I started with a 12 gauge pump, and a 22 mag
This needs the attention of ALL parents
my son can use a BB gun when he is 13. real gun??? you will NEVER catch me giving him a real gun
First off Pellet/BB guns need to be viewed as a REAL gun... period... They are NOT a toy and many of MANY of people have been killed by them.
Secondly, there are a good number of Pellet/BB that are more powerful then small caliber hanguns.. You have some made that have a velocity of nearly 1,350 fps. The average .22 rifle is around 1,050fps.. With some shorts and target ammo as slow as under 800 fps.
Finally.. most state gun laws treat a pellet/bb gun as a real gun. (I.E. guilty of armed-robbery, ven with a BB gun)
Just felt the urge to clear that up.
I grew up with a father that was a novice gunsmith. Loaded most of his own ammo. Grew up with , at one time with over a 100 rifles, dozens of pistols, black power, and a full automatic WW II gun scattered around the house. At almost 70, Mom has pistol in her bedroom.
Now I keep the bullets out of the house locked up , with guns locked up inside, BUT this was some of the SAFETY we (sister too) grew up with.
1) EVERY gun is deadly and is not a toy.
2) a gun ALWAYS gets respect.
3) Never pointed at ANYTHING except the ground or a target.(paper/skeet/game/etc)
4) ALL guns are treated as loaded.( it's always the empty gun someone gets killed with)
5) All guns are transported empty/bolt open (or removed hen possible)
6) Safety is ALWAYS on until target is in sites.
7) Upon final shot. empty gun.
8) Never shoot unless you have a clear target/know your back stop
9) Never shoot in the air.(what goes up, comes down.)
10) Never hand guns under influence or tired (including hunting and shooting range)
Just passing some of this info for parents that might be thinking of getting their child a gun.
This was just some of the safety that was drilled into my sister and I since we were in diapers...
I was shooting (with Dad) around 6. Shot a WW II O3A3.(30.06) when I was 8. By 10 could field strip a 45 and was allowed to go hunting before I caught the bus by myself.
Funny how parents would not let their teenage have a 22 rifle, but will turn them over a 6,000 pound SUV to go up the interstate at 70 mph on the cell phone.
Guns don't kill people... bullets kill people.
That said there is nothing wrong in my eyes turning over a firearm to a child AFTER they have been fully indoctrinated with all safety and demonstrate respect and responsibility . | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/19/2008 1:45:21 AM | | Sorry if this got missed somewhere as I didn't real all the threads. I guess I would want to know what he's meaning by a gun. For instance he could be talking about a bb gun in which case I don't think it's too young. In fact, I think teaching how to shoot at an early age makes one a much better shot. I've had a 4 year old out shooting pie plates with a bb gun. I have weapons in my home and I want my kids to know how to use them and to be respectful towards them. That way they don't do something stupid..... | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 3/19/2008 3:21:05 PM | nycegeye-if your child's safety came first you would teach them about proper handling of weapons. Preferrably NOT TO TOUCH THEM...lol...but if they are over at a friend's home and there is an unlocked gun about (about 50 news stories a year about kids finding a gun and killing another with it) Would you rather have your kid go "OOH, NEAT!!" and play with it, OR render it safe & immediately go tell an adult??
Or even better, a few years ago there was a chase where a bad guy tossed his gun out the window at a playground...wanna guess what happened next?? Kids who have NOT been trained about the proper gun safety measures are going to do STUPID THINGS!
When's the last time you heard of a Boy Scout stabbing people with his pocketknife or going ballistic with a .22??? Reasonable, reliable kids that have been well trained aren't the problem...it's the kids that have never seen anything but movies/tv shows/rap vids with guns blazing that I worry about.
Knowing is half the battle. How many of your friends have guns? Have you ever asked them?? How many keep them rendered safe IN a Safe or with Gun Locks?? How well trained in weapon safety are they?? THAT is what you need to KNOW. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 5/24/2008 1:42:21 PM | I learned when I was five, so I'd say that 6 years old is fine.
Think of it this way; if a responsible adult is teaching him, I see nothing wrong with it. Keep in mind, most kids grow up knowing only the crap they see on TV- regarding firearms. In Hollywood movies, you'll see some of the most irresponsible actions with firearms EVER. In real life, with a qualified instructor, you learn how to enjoy the sport safely. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 5/24/2008 3:25:09 PM | Let me run a scenario by y'all...
Child A goes to Child B's house for the afternoon.
Child B produces a loaded handgun, professing it to be a toy.
Child A knows it is not a toy, and goes to get a responsible adult.
End of story.
Child A goes to Child B's house for the afternoon.
Child B produces a loaded handgun, professing it to be a toy.
Child A has never seen, much less handled, a real handgun.
Much merriment ensues.
**bang**
End of story.
I? like the first story better. If you prefer the second one, you go right on keeping your child ignorant of the nature, function, and dangers of guns. It's safer to gun-proof the child than it is to gun-proof their whole environment.
It even happens in JAPAN, which has some of the most draconian gun laws in the world. Happens in Canada, too. Just sayin', is all. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 5/24/2008 8:47:25 PM | i was brought up with the safe use of guns by a strict discipline father who even taught my sister and the three boys safe handling. at ten i was up to a 410 shotgun. by 16 we were trained in 12 and 20 gauge shotguns and practiced on family competions of clay pigeon shotouts. i began with my son being taught by the scouts and he choose his pace with correct instruction. he picked up his first 20 gauge at scout camp under supervision and continues to this day. right now he is up to a 22 pistol and a 22 rifle and a russian mauser all of which he use under direct supervision at an outdoor range that promotes safety all the way and is including women as they express interest in safe handeling of the guns. i treasure the responsibility my son displays and the maturity level it has brought about. it is not for all but it can be done right.
mark | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 5/24/2008 9:18:24 PM | | My son was taught to shoot a gun when he was 5 and he learned bow/arrow when he was 3. I was against it, but my ex's family taught him the safety of it first and embedded into his little brain that it wasn't a toy in any form or shape. I've seen him shoot and he's very careful in the ways that he handles the gun and he enjoys going to the shooting range w/his father and grandfather. | |
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| Guns...how young is too young?
Posted: 5/25/2008 2:04:58 AM | My son is 11, and has been around guns his whole lfe. He has trained in safety and proper handling of his guns. He has a 22 rifle and a 20 guage shotgun of his own. He uses the shotgun twice a week trap shooting, so he handles the gun frequently. He averages 73-75 hits out of 100, which is nothing to sneeze at, at his age.
I think it is purely an individual thing as to what age is too young. The child's maturity and responsibility are the key factors in making that decision, along with the parent's willingness to see that the child is trained and supervised when useing the gun. | |
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