What age is too young for a child to learn to use a gun?

[polksalet]

Have to agree with Swammi here and I know I am not supposed to be posting in this thread because I don't have kids but what the heck....

 

Why do kids need to use guns so early? 7 years old there are 1000's of things that kids can have fun with and enjoy that don't/can't kill you. Why put yourself/child in a situation when you really don't need it - I have made the same case for Pit Bulls - if you have kids why own a Pit Bull when you could own a different dog that does not like to eat faces???

 

You mean lie bicycles, swimming pools, and golden retrievers?

[Gonkis]

I think New York has laws against children using firearms.

[Jimmy Neutron]

The feeling is very mutual.

 

The original question was "What age is too young for a child to learn to use a gun?" For kids with responsible parents who live in houses where guns are under lock and key, perhaps 7-years old is OK. I still think its young, but I will agree there are perfect-world situations where a 7-year old can be trained properly, and the guns they'd have access to would be no where in sight.

 

But to make a general statement that "you do not understand the mentality" of those of us who think its too young because there are plenty of instances where the parents are not responsible, and its a child that bears the consequences? Kinda harsh.

 

Barring a break-in where I would need to depend on my 1st grader to shoot an instruder, I can't imagine a real-life scenario where my 7 year-old would need to know how to fire a weapon.

 

What I don't understand has nothing to do with kids and guns - it's the "let the government tell us what to do" mentality. I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like that myself and wholly resent the idea that someone else wants to make them for me. Blech. And yes - I'll teach my kids to drive before they are "of age" if they want to and are ready for it. We don't drink, so I won't introduce alcohol to them early. If I did drink, I would probably introduce alcohol to them in a controlled environment vs having them jump in with only their freinds to guide them.

 

I don't think my kids will ever "need a gun." I am reasonably sure thay if they happen upon one at a friends house, they'll know not to touch it and tell an adult because they've been educated about them. Curiosity killed the cat. My kids aren't curious about guns because they've been exposed to them.

[wildcat2334]

long line of hunters in my family, going waaaay back.

 

I wasn't allowed to handle a handgun or shotgun until I was 11 or 12........seemed about right

 

like previously mentioned, I don't really see the need for a 7 year old to handle a weapon at all

 

tragic story

[i_am_the_swammi]

You mean lie bicycles, swimming pools, and golden retrievers?

 

Other than the sarcastic golden retrievers, both swimming pools and bicycles have state laws/usage guidelines for preventing those too young from participating, at least to some degree.

 

ie. Children under 10 can't swim without adult supervision; Children are required to wear helmets when riding a bike.

 

These are in place because kids often can't make these decisions for themselves. Why should allowing children to be trained to use handguns be any different?

[Perchoutofwater]

What I don't understand has nothing to do with kids and guns - it's the "let the government tell us what to do" mentality. I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like that myself and wholly resent the idea that someone else wants to make them for me. Blech. And yes - I'll teach my kids to drive before they are "of age" if they want to and are ready for it. We don't drink, so I won't introduce alcohol to them early. If I did drink, I would probably introduce alcohol to them in a controlled environment vs having them jump in with only their freinds to guide them.

 

I don't think my kids will ever "need a gun." I am reasonably sure thay if they happen upon one at a friends house, they'll know not to touch it and tell an adult because they've been educated about them. Curiosity killed the cat. My kids aren't curious about guns because they've been exposed to them.

 

+1

 

I've started teaching my 12 year old daughter to drive out at the deer lease.

[Perchoutofwater]

Other than the sarcastic golden retrievers, both swimming pools and bicycles have state laws/usage guidelines for preventing those too young from participating, at least to some degree.

 

ie. Children under 10 can't swim without adult supervision; Children are required to wear helmets when riding a bike.

 

These are in place because kids often can't make these decisions for themselves. Why should allowing children to be trained to use handguns be any different?

 

Where do you live? There are no such laws here in Texas that I know of. I do however know of all the gun laws as do my children.

[CaP'N GRuNGe]

What I don't understand has nothing to do with kids and guns - it's the "let the government tell us what to do" mentality. I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like that myself and wholly resent the idea that someone else wants to make them for me. Blech. And yes - I'll teach my kids to drive before they are "of age" if they want to and are ready for it. We don't drink, so I won't introduce alcohol to them early. If I did drink, I would probably introduce alcohol to them in a controlled environment vs having them jump in with only their freinds to guide them.

 

I don't think my kids will ever "need a gun." I am reasonably sure thay if they happen upon one at a friends house, they'll know not to touch it and tell an adult because they've been educated about them. Curiosity killed the cat. My kids aren't curious about guns because they've been exposed to them.

 

That evil government is us as a society. You giving your child a gun, putting them behind a wheel of a vehicle, etc can have repercussions on your neighbors and society as a whole, not just on them or your family. Obviously there has to be the proper balance between individual rights versus public safety.

[Delicious_bass]

What I don't understand has nothing to do with kids and guns - it's the "let the government tell us what to do" mentality. I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like that myself and wholly resent the idea that someone else wants to make them for me. Blech. And yes - I'll teach my kids to drive before they are "of age" if they want to and are ready for it. We don't drink, so I won't introduce alcohol to them early. If I did drink, I would probably introduce alcohol to them in a controlled environment vs having them jump in with only their freinds to guide them.

 

I don't think my kids will ever "need a gun." I am reasonably sure thay if they happen upon one at a friends house, they'll know not to touch it and tell an adult because they've been educated about them. Curiosity killed the cat. My kids aren't curious about guns because they've been exposed to them.

I dont disagree with what you've said above, but I think the problems comes when people feel the same way as you (that it should be their choice) but they are not rational/responsible/careful/etc like you are. While you will teach your kids the right way about guns, there are some clowns out there who will feel they can teach their kids, too, and (next thing you know) we've got some kid and his dad firing weapons at god knows what.

 

So there's gotta be some rules to try to keep folks safe from other folks, IMO.

[Delicious_bass]

That evil government is us as a society. You giving your child a gun, putting them behind a wheel of a vehicle, etc can have repercussions on your neighbors and society as a whole, not just on them or your family. Obviously there has to be the proper balance between individual rights versus public safety.

Well said.

 

This is pretty much where I was going with my post above this one...

[westvirginia]

That evil government is us as a society. You giving your child a gun, putting them behind a wheel of a vehicle, etc can have repercussions on your neighbors and society as a whole, not just on them or your family. Obviously there has to be the proper balance between individual rights versus public safety.

 

That balance is you having the same rights I do. As long as I don't abridge your rights, you have nothing to say about mine.

 

Let's just have a proper "balance" of stuff, shall we? You don't need that nice car, or a new house. Just let the gov't make all our decisions for us, eh?

[policyvote]

I'm perfectly capable of making decisions like that myself

 

Here's why the government must intervene: there are millions who aren't.

 

Peace

policy

Edited July 14, 2010 by policyvote

[dmarc117]

i would have the barrel chained down like a library pen

[CaP'N GRuNGe]

That balance is you having the same rights I do. As long as I don't abridge your rights, you have nothing to say about mine.

 

Let's just have a proper "balance" of stuff, shall we? You don't need that nice car, or a new house. Just let the gov't make all our decisions for us, eh?

 

Let's burn down Washington, destroy those socialistic utility companies, turn back the clock a few hundred years and go off the grid and become an isolationist agrarian society. We'd all be so much better for it.

 

You can't seriously believe that at least some basic societal law is not good for us all.

[jetsfan]

I had a bb gun at about 6, and I started teaching my kids to shoot a pellet gun at 7. My daughter is now 9, and maybe when she is 10 or 11 I will teach her to shoot a 22 rifle. At this point, I do not think she is ready, and my 7 year old son is no where near ready to fire anything above a bb gun.

 

tragic story.

[Delicious_bass]

That balance is you having the same rights I do. As long as I don't abridge your rights, you have nothing to say about mine.

 

Let's just have a proper "balance" of stuff, shall we? You don't need that nice car, or a new house. Just let the gov't make all our decisions for us, eh?

What happens when you firmly believe something is within your rights but someone else feels you're infringing on theirs, though? That's obviously where it gets sticky.

 

I may feel its well within my rights to blast geese on the pond behind my house but my neighbors may not want to listen to a 12 guage firing all day nor see geese getting wasted from their windows. So there are laws about discharging firearms within city limits/proximity of other buildings/etc and I have no problem with that. If I want to be able to shoot geese off my deck, its up to me to go buy a house far enough away from everything else that its allowed. And (even then) I cant just shoot as many as I want when I want even though I might feel its my right to do so. There are laws/seasons/bag limits/etc in place for the good of the species as well as preserving hunting opportunities for other people.

Edited July 14, 2010 by Delicious_bass

[bpwallace49]

I learned to shoot when I was 7 . . my father was in the military and my brother and I learned how to shoot at a very early age. I havent taught my kids yet, mainly because my son has autism. Maybe in another year or two.

 

I was taught by someone that was able to teach me a healthy respect for guns and the potential damage they can do. Not everyone has that opportunity, and we get tragic cases like this.

 

I would LOVE to see firearm training classes offered (similar to hunter's safety) to increase the safety aspect of using a firearm. I would love if it was available like drivers ed courses. Hell, what a mission for the NRA to embark on to continue its existence with the popularity of hunting decreasing (based on WI numbers the last few years)

 

It doesnt matter one bit how well trained my family and I are in safe gun usage if there is some stupid yahoo that doesnt and someone in my family gets shot just cause the moran is allowed to buy a gun.

Edited July 14, 2010 by bpwallace49

[bpwallace49]

As long as I don't abridge your rights, you have nothing to say about mine.

 

If am untrained idiot accidently shoots you because they dont know any gun safety, would that be "abridging your rights"?

 

Or would you be abridging theirs by supporting safety training (like drivers ed)?

 

So much abridging going on I just cant keep track . . .

[billay]

I would LOVE to see firearm training classes offered (similar to hunter's safety) to increase the safety aspect of using a firearm. I would love if it was available like drivers ed courses. Hell, what a mission for the NRA to embark on to continue its existence with the popularity of hunting decreasing (based on WI numbers the last few years)

That would certainly be preferable to what the NRA is doing now.

[Caveman_Nick]

I would LOVE to see firearm training classes offered (similar to hunter's safety) to increase the safety aspect of using a firearm. I would love if it was available like drivers ed courses. Hell, what a mission for the NRA to embark on to continue its existence with the popularity of hunting decreasing (based on WI numbers the last few years)

 

They are offered, and by NRA certified instructors. One of the main focuses of the NRA is on safety training. If you would like more information on NRA firearms classes, feel free to PM me.

[Delicious_bass]

I learned to shoot when I was 7 . . my father was in the military and my brother and I learned how to shoot at a very early age. I havent taught my kids yet, mainly because my son has autism. Maybe in another year or two.

 

I was taught by someone that was able to teach me a healthy respect for guns and the potential damage they can do. Not everyone has that opportunity, and we get tragic cases like this.

 

I would LOVE to see firearm training classes offered (similar to hunter's safety) to increase the safety aspect of using a firearm. I would love if it was available like drivers ed courses. Hell, what a mission for the NRA to embark on to continue its existence with the popularity of hunting decreasing (based on WI numbers the last few years)

 

It doesnt matter one bit how well trained my family and I are in safe gun usage if there is some stupid yahoo that doesnt and someone in my family gets shot just cause the moran is allowed to buy a gun.

Good call. I think a person(no matter their age) should have a Firearms Safety Certificate not only to purchase hunting licenses but also to purchase firearms. Just because a person is a legal adult doesnt mean they should be able to walk into a store and buy either...

[bpwallace49]

They are offered, and by NRA certified instructors. One of the main focuses of the NRA is on safety training. If you would like more information on NRA firearms classes, feel free to PM me.

 

Let me clarify . . . people that utilize the NRA tend to be safe gun users already. The 4 million NRA members are not the target audience here.

 

What needs to be done (IMO) is passing a safety class prior to purchasing a gun. Kinda like you have to pass hunters safety before you get a tag for a deer in WI. For the gubmnet people that will go crazy at this suggestion, that is where the NRA can be recommended to have verified people through one of THEIR courses before they buy a gun. I got opted out of my drivers test for my motorcycle license because I passed a safety course ahead of time offered by a private company. My employees are required to be "bassett" certified for responsible beverage service . . . again, done by a private 3rd party.

 

To people that are already safe gun users, the test should be a breeze, and it makes it safer for everyone.

 

the NRA can grow membership, hopefully there will be safer gun usage overall, and everyone is happy. (cue the barrage of evil gubmnet stealing our guns discussion)

[i_am_the_swammi]

I learned to shoot when I was 7 . . my father was in the military and my brother and I learned how to shoot at a very early age. I havent taught my kids yet, mainly because my son has autism. Maybe in another year or two.

 

I was taught by someone that was able to teach me a healthy respect for guns and the potential damage they can do. Not everyone has that opportunity, and we get tragic cases like this.

 

I would LOVE to see firearm training classes offered (similar to hunter's safety) to increase the safety aspect of using a firearm. I would love if it was available like drivers ed courses. Hell, what a mission for the NRA to embark on to continue its existence with the popularity of hunting decreasing (based on WI numbers the last few years)

 

It doesnt matter one bit how well trained my family and I are in safe gun usage if there is some stupid yahoo that doesnt and someone in my family gets shot just cause the moran is allowed to buy a gun.

 

beautifully stated......

 

If am untrained idiot accidently shoots you because they dont know any gun safety, would that be "abridging your rights"?

 

Or would you be abridging theirs by supporting safety training (like drivers ed)?

 

So much abridging going on I just cant keep track . . .

 

....twice

[Caveman_Nick]

Let me clarify . . . people that utilize the NRA tend to be safe gun users already. The 4 million NRA members are not the target audience here.

 

What needs to be done (IMO) is passing a safety class prior to purchasing a gun. Kinda like you have to pass hunters safety before you get a tag for a deer in WI. For the gubmnet people that will go crazy at this suggestion, that is where the NRA can be recommended to have verified people through one of THEIR courses before they buy a gun. I got opted out of my drivers test for my motorcycle license because I passed a safety course ahead of time offered by a private company. My employees are required to be "bassett" certified for responsible beverage service . . . again, done by a private 3rd party.

 

To people that are already safe gun users, the test should be a breeze, and it makes it safer for everyone.

 

the NRA can grow membership, hopefully there will be safer gun usage overall, and everyone is happy. (cue the barrage of evil gubmnet stealing our guns discussion)

 

So you don't want it to be offered and available as stated originally (because it is), but to be required.

 

Let's make it part of the public education curriculum. Right between Math and history. Heck, make it part of the Phys Ed curriculum. Rifles, shotguns and handguns could be covered in one school year, one class hour per week.

[Perchoutofwater]

If am untrained idiot accidently shoots you because they dont know any gun safety, would that be "abridging your rights"?

 

Or would you be abridging theirs by supporting safety training (like drivers ed)?

 

So much abridging going on I just cant keep track . . .

 

There are laws in place, if I accidentally shoot you it is manslaughter and I go to jail for 10 years, have to live with it, and am no longer allowed to own a gun or vote.

 

I'm a strong proponent of hunters education courses. The State of Texas has the following requirements:

 

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years of age.

 

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

 

* under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.

* age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.

* age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral” and you must be accompanied*.

 

Please note that some federally controlled areas require all hunters using that site to have hunter education certification. In Texas, this includes Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations. Be sure to check with the specific area prior to going hunting.

 

Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The one-time Hunter Education Deferral is available at license vendors and went into effect September 1, 2004.

 

* Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.