Opinions on minors and guns

I personally don't want minors carrying guns like adults do. But i do think there ought to be some card or something that would give minors special privileges as far as firearms goes. Like maybe if you complete this course and qualify and you have a COMPLETELY clean record you can carry as long as you're with a PARENT OR GUARDIAN with a full ccp.

And of course i think they should be able to when hunting and on private property. Hopefully no one thinks they should have the same carry privledges as adults. And just so you know i talking minors like at least 13 and up.

Most adults should not be allowed to carry, much less a minor that thinks nothing can happen to him.I kid is not responsible in most any way,thats why they moved the drinking age up.

Yeah, handguns are much more dangerous than .308s are, right?

If I can volunteer (or be forced) to get myself blown up for my country, or buy all the AKs, ARs and "sniper rifles" I want, I should be able to CCW, thanks. Don't really care about booze one way or another, but it's not as if the minimum-21 drinking age is doing anything at all to keep alcohol out of kids' hands anyway.

Under 18, no. Do what you want on your private property, but I feel that 18 is a good metric for being "grown up" enough to CCW and such.

i think the carry age is what it is for a good reason

How old were the boys in Washington's army? Oh, those were different times. Good, cause there's lots of other outdated stuff in the Bill of Rights that scares me too.

I've not met too many teenagers I would trust carrying a firearm. While they may be good kids, at that age they just aren't thinking of consequences, and as such tend to do dumb things.

I would agree with considering that for 18 year olds, but probably only for those who actually serve in the armed forces (until 21 or so). If you're going to make the "If I can die for my country, why can't I X?" then you'd better be wearing a uniform or have enlistment papers drawn up, IMO. Otherwise you wait until you're more mature and less likely to screw lives up from a moment's idiocy.

I can't keep it clean.

they just aren't thinking of consequences, and as such tend to do dumb things

Take a look around any gun forum on the 'net: you'll find plenty of people who are poster boys for banning firearms who are twice my age or better.

In any case, you're either making an invalid argument, or you're arguing that one should not be able to buy or possess a firearm at all until 21. I've already got an 870 loaded with 00 buck riding with me everywhere I go; how is it that I'm so much more dangerous with a CCW than I am with a 12-gauge?

If you're going to make the "If I can die for my country, why can't I X?" then you'd better be wearing a uniform or have enlistment papers drawn up, IMO.

Exactly. It's not like I had to register with Selective Service to be drafted should the need arise, right? Oh, wait.

The point is that the government is willing to trust me enough, at 18, to carry a select-fire weapon, work with or even lead a group of other young men whose living or dying may well hinge on my actions or lack thereof, call for and direct mortar fire and heavy ordnance, and generally behave as a responsible member of the Armed Forces... but not to carry a .38 in the mall.

I guess it's okay to accidentally waste civvies and get my friends killed with my youthful impetuosity as long as it's done in some foreign dusthole somewhere and not the good ol' US, eh? :rolleyes:

Quote: I can't keep it clean.
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+1

The handwriting is on the wall/s..

The joy ride of life has just begun for most.. with it's consequences for so many.. and the numbers are growing in the masses by the year, both in young ages, and older ages, that should know better...


Ls

All your choices are bizarre.

Here's the logical answer:

Minors are wards of their parents.

Parents are responsible for the actions of their children.

-- In other words, If kids screw up, their parents pay --

That's just how it is... a 16 year old drives their car into a crowd it isn't the 16yo who pays, it's the parents.

Therefore the parents make the call. If a parent thinks their kid is responsible enough that the parent is willing to risk the consequences if the kid screws up... that's the parent's right. Not your choice. Not the government's choice. Not something for you to be involved in at all.

Parent's risk, parent's choice.

If the kid is emancipated then someone has judged them competent to take responsibility for their own actions and they have all the rights of anyone else. Emancipation is automatic at 18.

That's how it worked until very recently (last 40 years) and that's how it should work today.

No, minors should not be allowed to carry... I'm sure all of us know that guy that carrys(rather legally or not) that should not carry.

I think everyone who is legally an adult (emancipated or 18+) should be able to carry whatever they want, open or concealed, with no permit beyond the COTUS.

I think anyone that is a minor/ward of someone, should have the right to do whatever their parent/guardian allows.

The only justification for flat out denying someone's right to carry should be if they are an incarcerated criminal, or mentally incompetent (in which case they would be the ward of someone else anyway).

I'll bite If you are talking about 17 and lower No they shouldn't but for 18+ then yes.

I am against gun control period.

I shot my very own revolver at age 3, and it was wagged wherever I went somewhere.

It was no big deal when I about 8 years old to carry another smaller gun concealed, and we did not have "permission papers" back then.
By the time I was age 8 , I had taken that revolver by myself, and other long guns by myself to shoot by myself in areas that we shot at. I hunted by myself as did other kids.

Kids walking or riding bikes with guns and going after game, or to get rid of pests on the property.

It is dependent on the maturity of the minor, as defined by parents, legal guardians and mentors.

One really cannot say that a "age" makes anyone "mature" or "responsible".
Girls tend to mature faster than boys.

It is not the governments business what the parents define their kid's level of maturity is.

It is their kid, not the governments.

No gun control period.

We had have laws going way way back to cover any and everything that has to do with folks not being responsible for themselves or kids.

Laws going way way back to deal with those not being mature in behavior or mentally unstable, criminal, and other reasons these persons do not fit into into Society.

I don't care if it has to do with guns, knives, matches, hammers, baseball bats, motor vehicles, hot coffee, nail clippers, box cutters, screw drivers, poisons, hot water in a bath tub or anything else.

Every time another "restriction" is enacted, that is another droplet of Tyranny falling onto Freedom's Granite.

Water, one drop at a time, will erode granite.


That is my position, always has been and always will be.

Well said sm.

Well said sm.+1

There is no statutory age limit on OC in Wyoming, and you don't see any more violence there than elsewhere. If the parent thinks the kid is mature enough to carry, it's their decision.

Perhaps a testoserone assay should be performed before a teenager is allowed to handle a firearm! I teach seventh graders and some of them get caught with guns in school. There is no way I want any of those rascals packing!

just because they are minors doesn't mean they have less rights than anyone else. I see a minor carrying just the same as an adult carrying. There are some that should carry, and there are some that are just trouble waiting to happen.

suitable protection is not a priviledge, it a basic human right, regardless of age. Anything less is eliteist at best and tyranical at worst.

just because they are minors doesn't mean they have less rights than anyone else

there is a stack of case law that disagrees with that statement.

Until a minor is to the age of accountability, the parents are responsible for every dumb decision they make. Until they have experience with responsability, they are not ready to take it on. If you think different, would you trust a kid with a high limit credit card? If not then why trust one with a lethal weapon in a public where there are ___holes aplenty that tend to bring out the worst even in adults? I do believe a select few are capable of handling the responsability, but a vast majority will end up killing a jerk that offends them.

If you've got a card for something, you're in a database somewhere.

Minors should be able to carry on their property and while hunting, with a parent or adult guardian present.

Some days sm reads my mind.

Some days Ed Ames does as well.

This must be one of those days.

People don't cross a magic line when they turn 17 or 18 and suddenly become responsible adults. I know 60 year old men who should not be in the same room with a gun and ten year old kids I would trust to hunt on their own (but I would never let them do that... why should I miss out on the fun?). I can't do anything about the 60 year old, but I can about the ten year old.

The point is that the government is willing to trust me enough, at 18, to carry a select-fire weapon, work with or even lead a group of other young men whose living or dying may well hinge on my actions or lack thereof, call for and direct mortar fire and heavy ordnance, and generally behave as a responsible member of the Armed Forces... but not to carry a .38 in the mall.

17. Not 18, you can join the military at 17.

I didn't cast a vote, because I'm not aware of any privileges associated with the right to keep and bear arms... only rights.

there is a stack of case law that disagrees with that statement.

There used to be case law establishing that black people weren't citizens, even when free. Doesn't mean it's right.

Now that some of you like SM said i agree that it should be up to the parents and that there should be pretty much no gun control. Maybe for minors though. If their parents say they can carry i think they should have to take some kind of a class or something.

Not for adults though. hey thanks for answering.

I think minors should be allowed to carry only when accompanied by an adult.

Take a look around any gun forum on the 'net: you'll find plenty of people who are poster boys for banning firearms who are twice my age or better.

In any case, you're either making an invalid argument, or you're arguing that one should not be able to buy or possess a firearm at all until 21.

It's a proven scientific fact that the part of the brain that deals with consequences is not fully developed at 18, and definitely not before then. There's a difference between having one at home and having one readily available on one's person. I might be willing to grant it at 18, provided the person has lived a good clean life (not even anything other than minor trouble at school; anything more than a detention and no dice).

Exactly. It's not like I had to register with Selective Service to be drafted should the need arise, right? Oh, wait.

The point is that the government is willing to trust me enough, at 18, to carry a select-fire weapon, work with or even lead a group of other young men whose living or dying may well hinge on my actions or lack thereof, call for and direct mortar fire and heavy ordnance, and generally behave as a responsible member of the Armed Forces... but not to carry a .38 in the mall.

They don't do such things right off the street. I also registered for Selective Service but I didn't enlist. I've never served in the Armed Forces. For a teenager today to claim "hey I registered for the draft!" is disingenuous since the chances of being drafted in the current world climate is somewhere between none and never (the politicians who have brought it up did so as a political stunt, not as a serious proposal). Yes, you MIGHT be drafted. In all likelihood, that won't happen. If you are, you would receive intensive training before they'd turn you loose with select fire weapons or heavy artillery. We aren't talking a one weekend class; we're talking weeks of heavy training and discipline. To claim that's the same thing as filling out a postcard is a false comparison. There's an entirely different level of commitment.

I could be convinced that SOME young people have the maturity and responsibility to carry firearms, but the fact is that most of them just don't have it, and I'm not sure that a blanket permission for such is terribly wise. I'd sooner see us use our political capital for things not as likely to end in tears, such as repeal of the NFA registry closure.

BRAVO...Ed Ames and sm...Saved me a lot of typing...

Ed, that was exactly right.

I tried to vote in such a way that reflected that.

I think I failed, those choices were odd.

That's just how it is... a 16 year old drives their car into a crowd it isn't the 16yo who pays, it's the parents.
Then I wonder why there are so many 16 year-old (and younger) kids sitting in juvenile detention facilities...not to mention the really serious offenders who end up in court being tried as adults.

I learned how to shoot a gun as soon as I could carry it by myself. I've been carrying at home and hunting ever since. That's how my father was taught, and his father. My kids are going to learn the same way.

Now if my kids do something stupid I'm taking that away from them.

Blanket statements that people under 18 are not responsible, nor understanding of consequences to carry a weapon make me annoyed now :rolleyes: and made me furious when I was that age. :fire::cuss:

Some people are good to go carrying a weapon, others are not. Age is not an automatic indicator of competency or maturity.

Who cares if its the 15 year old skater punk or the 40 year old ex-Army Ranger who stops a mall rampage? I don't.

I guess I am strange- Along with the guns/ammo, my parent's hard liquor, prescription drugs, and other evil things were not "locked-up", but somehow I managed not to get in trouble with them. Amazing :barf:

There's the maturity and responsibility factor that concerns me, therefore would not allow any minors handle weapons...by themselves without adult supervision.

I have two sons, ages 16 and 14. Over the years my wife and I have done our best to teach them personal responsibility and manners. We have also taught them safe gun handling and appropriate decision making.

When we are out hunting or out scouting the woods, I allow them to open carry revolvers as there are numerous coyotes in the area who have demonstrated an increased level of aggression in recent years. I am with them or in very close proximity. At the USPSA and Three Gun matches we participate in they are allowed by me and the people who conduct the matches to open carry the pistols that they use. They both understand that if there is any violation of safety rules they will not be allowed to open carry in these circumstances for a while-they are safer than most adults that I know.

When they are home alone, they have access to a shotgun that is in a gun safe by itself. We have spent a lot of time discussing self defense in the home and both understand that the shotgun is an absolute last resort.

Would I allow them to open carry without me near by? No. They would probably be fine but as Dad I am just not ready to allow that yet.
Are they ready for concealed carry? No.
Was I ready for concealed carry when I was 18? No.

This varies so much per who you want to look at. For most 14 or 16 year olds I see there is no way I would allow them to open carry a handgun. On occasion in the hunter safety education classes I run, I have taken a parent aside to strongly suggest that their kid (12 or 13 or 14 or even 15) should wait a year or so before carrying a firearm while hunting due to maturity issues I see. So there is no black and white answer here. For the most part kids respond to parent expectations, and if you are still babying your kids at age 16 or 17, you will have a 16 or 17 year old who is very immature-ditto for an 18 year old or a 21 year old.

I believe that minors, responsible minors should have the same rights as adults to carry a weapon.

Because plenty of minors under the "legal age" get killed or maimed by senseless punks every year, every place. How many times do you hear a story where a college or high school kid was just walking home, paying attention to no one when they get "accosted by a robber/rapist/gang member and were beaten to death/stabbed/shot"???

These tragedies can be prevented if they can carry a firearm.

Of course, in NYC and other large cities with rampant crimes, many folks carry, I mean many. Even if there is practically no CCW, it doesn't mean that nobody would still want to be safe in a very unsafe world. If they have to travel a certain route to/from work and they know that their lives would be at stake, and the police wouldn't be able to protect them every second, they would have to protect themselves. Even a medium sized pocketknife is better than nothing. And actually, a knife can do you much good too, considering that it is also a multi-tool, it can help you in many situations where defense is not related at all, such as cutting shrink wrap or opening that package of beef jerky you bought because you are half dead from hunger.

I Think it kinda goes along the same argument as the gun free zones. Should every man woman and child carry, no, but just because someone is a minor, they have stand there and take it?

When I was in third grade I vividly remember leaving my school to walk home and had a teenager lean out of his car window with a loaded paintball gun and ask me "What the F****s up B****!?" Did I wish I had a gun at that point, no, but if he had opened up on me at ten yards away would anyone have been there to help? Why would I have deserved it anymore than a carrying adult? I know the world isn't fair, but adults can be just as irrational and short-sighted as children.

I'm all for the kids being able to own/carry whatever their parents deem them responsible enough to be safe with. The parent is the best judge on the maturity level of the child.

Granted this is dependent on the parents actually parenting which is sadly less common than it used to be, but what can you do? Anything else leans towards a nanny state.

in Vermont you can carry Openly or Concealed at 16, with or without parental permission (of course for most, theyd need parents who would buy them a gun)


under 16? gee i dont know...i think parents should decide.


then again, im only 16, and only ever shot a single shot 22lr for competition, and never competed :P so what i say is, pretty worthless i guess...add to that the fact i live in norway and i probably shouldn`t even have responded here xD

When I was in third grade I vividly remember leaving my school to walk home and had a teenager lean out of his car window with a loaded paintball gun and ask me "What the F****s up B****!?" Did I wish I had a gun at that point, no, but if he had opened up on me at ten yards away would anyone have been there to help?

You know what I think??? I think that scenario would the PERFECT one to get an anti to change his/her views on the issues. It is harmless, although painful if he actually shot you with it. However, even if he did, it would be no long lasting harm, and an anti would quickly learn that the world they live in is not exactly the socialist opium pipe dreamer's hallucinogenic/phenalyamide addled paradise world.

It is like a vaccination. The injected organism is harmless, but it would make the body prepare for a scenario where it would actually be dealing with an organism that will do great harm. Same in this scenario. It is just a paintball gun, right? Right, but it would make one wonder: "what if that was a real gun?, and last time I checked, there was no police around that I could rely on if he decides to rob me or shoot me".

In the context of a free society, where people grow up having been raised to be responsible for their actions and consequences, where politeness is the norm and not the exception, and where right and wrong are well defined and not subject to self-esteem override, it is entirely appropriate for kids to carry a gun. Kids face many of the same hazards that adults to, and self defense is as valid a concept for them as it is for adults.

Kids are raised by their parents, and those parents will have made sure that their kids have associated with the kinds of people who ensure politeness and responsibility.

Said parents will, at the appropriate time, judge that their kid is now ready for that additional responsibility, and see to proper equipment and training.

On the other hand . . .

In a socialism, where parents not only are not permitted to educate their own children, but are also forbidden to be responsible for themselves, where children are indoctrinated early and often into the frame of mind that they're entitled to whatever they want, and are answerable to no one, then clearly kids don't carry guns, and the very thought is uncomfortable.

And it won't matter what age anyone is after a while, as there won't be anyone who grasps responsibility and politeness.

And when that happens, the adults won't be carrying either. Because the State will take care of everything. Or else.

Our society today is not operating as a "free society" to the degree that it did fifty years ago. Right and wrong have been pushed to the back burner in favor of "feeling good," self esteem, and self importance. We don't, on the whole, raise our own kids -- the information stream that assaults them pretty much precludes rationality and responsibility.

In the current context, kids operate as instruments of state-sponsored irresponsibility to create the needed level of crime from which the State can protect us.

In this context, it's generally a bad idea for kids to be armed.

Change the context and restore the frame of mind that espouses right & wrong and personal responsibility, and armed kids aren't a problem.

There's always context.

Private property and hunting. When I was I kid I got to carry on our ranch when fixing fences or looking for cows mostly to protect from snakes but it was handy.

When I was in third grade I vividly remember leaving my school to walk home and had a teenager lean out of his car window with a loaded paintball gun and ask me "What the F****s up B****!?" Did I wish I had a gun at that point, no, but if he had opened up on me at ten yards away would anyone have been there to help? Why would I have deserved it anymore than a carrying adult? I know the world isn't fair, but adults can be just as irrational and short-sighted as children.
You're arguing for minor carry as a way of responding to punks hitting you with paintballs?

I put other. I think it should be up to parents.

There is a huge gray area for 18 and up.

18 should be allowed to carry.

You're arguing for minor carry as a way of responding to punks hitting you with paintballs?

You probably missed my post about that.

It is like a vaccination. The organism injected into you are harmless, yet they will help the body prepare for a scenario where they would likely encounter the organism that is going to do harm.

Likewise in that scenario, the kid with the paintball gun is perfectly harmless, maybe a bit painful, but perfectly harmless. However, it would make one think:, what if that kid had a real gun?

Think about it.

i get it Rachen ;)

You probably missed my post about that.
No, I didn't. Your post just wasn't relevant to what I'm asking.

I think that if you obtain a pistol qualification in the US armed forces then you should be allowed to carry. There is a certain amount of discipline handguns require that your average 18 year old does not display.

As far as being on one's one property; you should be able to do as the property owner pleases as long as you aren't violating anyone else's rights.

No, I didn't. Your post just wasn't relevant to what I'm asking.

Huh?

What was your question?

If they are under 18, it should be up to their parents, not the law. If they are under 18 and do something stupid, they should be charged as adults, along with their parents.

If they are over 18, they shouldn't have to ask anyone if its alright for them to carry any weapon in any manner they see fit, so long as they are doing it in a manner that is safe.

Define "minor."

IMO: If a guy or girl is old enough at 18 to go and die in Afghanistan or Iraq, then that person is old enough for CCW.

New to the thead here. Was 16 when I bought my first handgun. 58 now. Was a 17 year old paratrooper. Guess it depends on the situation,...and the person.

Damn, I think ArfinGreebly just nailed it down.

It comes down to power and responsibility. In a culture so lacking in personal responsibility how do it's "subjects" respect their individual rights, let alone mine?

i have had my fid card in mass since i was 15 that allowed me as a minor to posess or borrow someone elses firearm for hunting or target shooting i have had experince with pistols since i was 14 i dont see any reason why at 18 i cant carry if i take the apropriate class and can pass the backround check.

Huh?

What was your question?
Try reading his original post again. He's talking about kids having to "stand there and take it" in reference to common "bullying" by punks.

Try reading his original post again. He's talking about kids having to "stand there and take it" in reference to common "bullying" by punks.

Oh, I misread your post too. However, bullying by punks can still be used as a harmless vaccination, so when real danger arrives, the person can be prepared.

then again, im only 16, and only ever shot a single shot 22lr for competition, and never competed :P so what i say is, pretty worthless i guess...add to that the fact i live in norway and i probably shouldn`t even have responded here xD

Only if you think 16 year old's in Norway should not have rights.

generally minors probably shouldn't have carry privileges. however, like working or driving some minors have to 'grow up' early and can apply for special permission for special circumstances. I think there should be a route available for minors to apply for unusual circumstances where problems exists and parents are not around much to help. many of you would say this is crazy but my girlfriend grew up early and left home at 16. I have met many individuals with similar stories and most were left to fend for themselves. There could be a time and a place where an individual could benefit his/her self and family by having outside the box permission.

A parent is responsible for the actions of the minor, and may enact limitations as s/he sees fit.

It's sad to see so many people here want to limit the rights of others.
Many antis make the same argument "they aren't mature enough, they don't understand the consequences, someone else is responsible for them." The only difference is that the antis are saying that about everyone here, about every human being who isn't a cop or currently in the military.

EVERY PERSON is responsible for their own actions. A parent shouldn't get fined because their kid ditched school, a parent shouldn't go to jail because their kid shot someone. Their kid should get in trouble. No one has complete control over anyone else.

I know of no age requirement regarding self defense or defense of others, why should age control your means of dealing with it.

I'm 20. I have passed the NRA shotgun shooting INSTRUCTORS class. I've known the rules of shooting for as long as I can remember. I was taken shooting before I was old enough to remember. The only reason I can't carry is because someone else doesn't want me to. Does this sound right to you?

The thing is, all of that was true when I was 16. How does that little difference make not letting me carry and more right?

I didn't vote in this poll.

I am 17 currently turning 18 in less then 2 months and I have to say the 40% of the people my age are responsible and mature enough to handle ccw including me but people under my age like Juniors,Sophomores,and Freshmen 80% of them are way too irresponsible and immature to handle the consequences and responsibilities of carrying a gun much less driving a car.

I personally only carry a pocket knife due to age but once I am 18 I will have my revolver in a holster in a glovebox or under a seat put in my car loaded since its allowed in florida when I start full time job in June when I graduate with a high school diploma.


I have seen in my highschool parking lot how some people race and do stupid crap with their cars and drive like morons.So letting them carry a gun should out of the question when they abuse their driving priveledges and are reckless with a dangerous vehicle that can kill many people and destroy property.I am probably one of the safest and best driver's for my age and have at least 3 years driving experience.

It should be solely up to the parents if they think their kid is responsible enough to carry or not but there should be some restrictions like only with parent or guardian present and only allowed to open carry.Concealed carry should be 18 and up but in Florida I have to wait till 21 to carry which is not that long for me so until I reach that age I will have a revolver in the car which is better then nothing at all.

The one problem with letting parents decide is that many parents are the same ones who think their precious little snowflakes are perfect angels. Their discipline problems at school are because the teachers are nazis, their 1.5 GPA is because they aren't being challenged enough, and their list of driving infractions is just the cops picking on kids. These are the same parents giving their kids a high powered car at 16 and laughing when they misbehave.

I'm not sure I want it up to those parents to say "It's ok, here's a Glock 17, now go show those punks who's the boss."

We don't let 16 year olds vote or do a number of other things. I'm not sure why we should let them carry firearms.

I might be convinced to allow it if 1) they have a spotless discipline record at school, 2) absolutely no legal troubles, including traffic infractions, and 3) pass an extremely stringent class and screening process by a non-relative, while having parental permission. Yes, it is more than we ask of adults, but then again, we aren't talking about adults. We're talking about a demographic group notorious for acting before thinking.

I agree with that Technosavant
I myself had 3 referrals within the 4 year period for non-violent infractions like yelling "****" and one for laughing out loud in class causing a disruption this year or spilling orange juice on the floor in 10th grade.
And thats pretty low considering that there are 9th graders that have gotten 10+ referrals for real stupid stuff and its their first year.
Thats it though otherwise I have a good behavior record for the most part.
Never been arrested for anything and dont get in trouble with the law.
And I dont mess around when it comes to real guns and driving especially.

I am in favor for a class just like they have Driver ed which I took back in 11th
grade they should have a class called gun safety/training course to prepare soon to be 18 year olds for the safe handling and use of handguns,shotguns,and rifles.Especially a complete lesson on type of guns and the different calibers out there plus history on major guns and manufacturers.If we had that then their would not be as many of these young unexperienced tactical mall ninjas who want to be like action hereos and have a desert eagle or a tactical man-stopper .380 just like the hollywood movies.

Most all kids think there responsible, but that isn't true only about 1-5 % are probley responsibe enough to carry,the rest only think they are, like I did.
I was 18 once I would drink and drive,party and get in fights and I thought I was old enough to do anything.I had a party one time 20 years ago and nobody would leave when I told them too,So drunk me grabed my bow put a arrow with a broadhead in it pulled it back pointed it at a few friends and told everyone to leave or I was going to shoot them.Next thing I know someone hit me and I almost shot a friend.I used to think I was old enough to carry a gun and I did when I went out driving drunk.
I pulled my 357 out one time when a girlfriends x boyfried was messing with me also.
I could have been put away along time or for life but I was lucky.
I am now a responsible adult with a carry permit.
I think you should be at least 25 before you can carry JMO.

I am torn on this so I will make this my only comment in this thread as it will be a losing battle for me,

To say that the Supreme Court will say that 9 year olds can pack at schools is the most implausible thing I have ever heard of (I must include according to some circuit courts if you are under 18 you have NO constitutional rights) not to say it wont happen but a law like this is well not happening unless some radical incident happens.

Miners with guns? Don't know if that is a good idea, what with the potential for explosive gasses and rock falls not to mention how loud gun shots must sound down in those deep dark holes.

I hate to be the wet blanket here but I would have to say it depends on the person. There is a thriteen year old down the road from me that I would have problem none with him having an Uzi in a shoulder holster. There is a guy in his 50's would scare me having a peashooter.

Twenty-one being the magic age of responsibility is a legal fiction and should be given as much credit as unicorns and 'give peace a chance.'

Selena

voted for #2

The one problem with letting parents decide is that many parents are the same ones who think their precious little snowflakes are perfect angels. Their discipline problems at school are because the teachers are nazis, their 1.5 GPA is because they aren't being challenged enough, and their list of driving infractions is just the cops picking on kids. These are the same parents giving their kids a high powered car at 16 and laughing when they misbehave.

That's why you charge the parents with the same crime Junior commits. That happens a couple of times and most parents will make damn sure they don't make that mistake again. And if they do, they're locked up and CAN'T make that mistake again.

I'd leave it up to the parents.

Try reading his original post again. He's talking about kids having to "stand there and take it" in reference to common "bullying" by punks.

It was a little more than just bullying. It definitely wasn't something a elementary school student should have to face. It's not like I could run and tell the principal and have the situation solved ( I did tell the cops and they never found the kid)Its not like I could ball up my fist and put it through the kids nose.

How many of you carrying adults on this site would have looked down the barrel of any gun and blown it off as bullying? You know why kids wear hard plastic armor and face masks when playing paintball, and why they limit the velocity to 300 fps or less? There are some serious consequences for doing drive-bys with paintball guns because even adults believe that they're really being shot.

Also I wasn't advocating arming elementary school student, just pointing out that everything bad doesn't happen to adults.

sm said it all on the first page. Parents are the ones responsible for doling out freedoms to their children; if they feel their children are as responsible as adults, then they should be free to give their children all the rights/privileges of adults. If the child screws up, the parent pays for it.

Tough poll; there's several topics all rolled into one. There's hints of "home defense" and "hunting", "CCW", etc. Perhaps treat one topic at a time, e.g., "Should those between the ages of 13 and 21 be issued CCW permits?", that sort of thing.

Most all kids think there responsible, but that isn't true only about 1-5 % are probley responsibe enough to carry,the rest only think they are, like I did.
I was 18 once I would drink and drive,party and get in fights and I thought I was old enough to do anything.I had a party one time 20 years ago and nobody would leave when I told them too,So drunk me grabed my bow put a arrow with a broadhead in it pulled it back pointed it at a few friends and told everyone to leave or I was going to shoot them.Next thing I know someone hit me and I almost shot a friend.I used to think I was old enough to carry a gun and I did when I went out driving drunk.
I pulled my 357 out one time when a girlfriends x boyfried was messing with me also.
I could have been put away along time or for life but I was lucky.
I am now a responsible adult with a carry permit.
I think you should be at least 25 before you can carry JMO. So you weren't the sharpest tool in the shed at my age, what does that have to do with me? I'm responsible for ME and MY actions, not those of my peers, over whom I have no control. It's the same logic the antis use, that people in group "a" should not have guns because some people in group "a" misuse them.

I'm 18.
I've never had so much as a speeding ticket.
I've never driven drunk.
The last fight I was in was in 8th grade.
I've never threatened ANYONE with a weapon.

This will never happen no legislature or politician will allow a bill to go through where people under 18 will be able to carry a gun concealed or open carry regardless even if parents are involved.

The most likely thing that will happen is that the ccw age will be lowered to 18 when we get enough support for it otherwise I dont see any chance for a law to pass where it allows people under 18 to carry with or without parent permission it just wont happen in this day and age.

In my state of florida they allow 18 year olds to have a loaded handgun in the car for defense if its in a holster or zipped bag under a seat or glovebox because they understand that 18 year olds are adults and should have at least the right to have a gun in their private property for protection its better then having no gun at all or having no ammo readily available like it is in other states and having to lock the gun up in a box or trunk.

Anytime one gives up rights and is governed by another, that sets the definitions and interpretations.

i.e. Anyone over the age of 50 will have to take a written and practical driving test to make sure they are safe on the streets.

I am over age 50, I don't want some dingbat law saying all folks over age 50 have to re-test every darn year!
I chose my age as this is how some "think" that a "age law" keeps them safe.

Our elderly folks have this "fear" and "concern" about getting to an age where they lose their independence to drive.
They may not drive much, still that fear of losing independence and choice to drive is a real one.

I know folk in their 80's sharp, have their wits, great eyesight, and physically fit that are better drivers than some 20 year olds.

Parallels here folks.
Each person is different, it is not a age thing, instead a individual assessment of one's ability to do do a task.

Firearms or Driving cars.
There come a time in life when one is able and responsible enough to shoot and drive and and a time when they cannot no longer shoot or drive.

Reality is, that kid really wants to have a BB Gun, or .22 rifle and earns his parents trust and respect being responsible.
Time passes and it breaks that kids heart, and that of his parents when the the heart-to-heart talk is had, and that parent is not able to use a gun or drive anymore.

Time gets us all on these Catch 22s.

I voted OTHER.
Minors should be able to do whatever their good behavior and good parenting allows them to do.
Hunt or shoot with handguns and rifles on their own land, yes.
We used to be able to have guns in our car/truck during school, you might have been quail deer hunting before school. Those days are gone.

I didn't vote in the poll, because I think minors should have the same RIGHT to keep and bear arms as an adult. It is NOT a privilege, it is a RIGHT. As a parent, it is the business of myself and my husband, and NOBODY else, to say what my son may or may not do. That said, he does not carry a handgun, not even in the car under the peaceable journey laws in Texas. I would trust him to do so, but I could see a routine traffic stop getting sticky if a LEO was not crystal clear on that law as it was clarified last year by the state legislature.

But it is OUR choice. None of the government's business.

Springmom

BRAVO...Ed Ames and sm...Saved me a lot of typing...Big plus one.

And a plus one to Arfin as well. :)

Card my A**....... :cuss: The adults will be carrying "papers" by then......:banghead:

The last thing I want to do is go running to the government to get it to tell other people how to raise their kids.