Convincing mom to let a .22LR in..

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Congratulations in the tranisiton you are making in life from a child to an adult. I'm guess part of your parrents discussion is about your maturity and it might not be as much about a firearm. How are your grades? Do you get in trouble much at home or outside of the house? How responsible are you in getting your chores done with minimal compliaining and doing them well? Have you been avoiding drugs and alcohol? Do you have plans to go on to college or learn a good career/trade? Have you gotten speeding tickets or accidents if you have started driving? These are the things you can influence and may influence their decision. If you could find some small part time job (mowing lawns, etc) that won't impact your school work or home chores that could help. If I were them and you were doing good in the above stuff I might say yes but tie it to you to saving/paying 50% to learn about the value of saving money. Good luck and respect their decision whatever it is. You will be 18 soon enough. I remember my 18th birthday like it was yesterday and I'm now 43.
 
TNG,

I didn't read all the posts, so maybe you all ready mentioned it, but have you asked your mom why she doesn't want another gun in the house?

I would highly recomend getting a job of sorts to pay for the gun. There is a Huge difference between asking a parent to buy you a gun, and saying "I've earned the money for the gun, is it OK with you if I keep it at home?" I hear you, AP classes are pretty dominating when it comes to your time, but if you really try, you can find a way to do it, and make it work. It may not be fun, it may be a headache, but you can do it. (Sorry, that was a little off topic)

Out of curiosity, where do you shoot? Woods, a specific range?

A.A.R. Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
1)
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip dip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job
Sha na na na - sha na na na na


Show that work ethic they hopefully raised you with, hold down a part time job for the money side.

2) Now that you have money it's not " I'm doing what I want" You want the conversation to be which of the evils is she going to pick. (No hanging on the anthropomorphic nature of attaching such a word to a tool, Nitpickers, there IS a point)

"Ok Mom, I really want to practice more... I have two options. I can pick up a Lee loader, and start reloading 30.06 in the kitchen here... It's the only way to really enjoy my hobby without causing extreme financial hardship".

You should do that anyhow... the primitive Lee loader costs under $25, and while slow... you can reload at home, or in the field. show her youtube videos of people whacking away at the loader with a mallet, make sure she knows a cartridge is inside that tube. If she's not well informed in shooting, and not paying attention to the millions of rounds that HAVEN'T exploded in the process to date, she might not like the idea of you doing that over the linoleum.

OR....

"It would really make a lot of financial sense if I invested in a lower caliber rifle that I can shoot for pennies, instead of a buck or more a shot. "


Which is the lesser "evil" in her mind? You've now given her adult reasoning, using a purely financial motive to not be wasteful. (with the subtext of ruined floors and hitting live ammo with hammers)


Good luck, sounds like you have your head on straight already.
 
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Explain that you want to improve your marksmanship as cheaply as possible. Explain that the .30-06 is a big bad hunting rifle and that the .22 is not. This is bending the truth a bit, but should get the job done.
 
Parents that threat their 17 year olds like this are way too over protective...their kids will go off the deep end once they go to college or get a whiff of freedom from opression(I am not saying OP will, but many others will). This poster seems very reasonable and responsible. If he can afford it(get a job if you don't have one) and demonstrates responsibility in his life and with firearms handling then have at it I say.
 
Just throwing it out there, you could do a hunter safety or firearm safety course. Doing one of these can reassure your mom that you know for sure and i am sure you do. Know how to safely handle and use a firearm.
 
I think taking a course would help your case, from what you have said earlier , you seem to have your head on straight, parents will see that. I think she'll change her mind and give the go ahead, but if she doesn't, take it easy you'll be 18 soon enough. Good luck to you!
 
-Get at least a PT job to pay for the .22, and to take her to the range to experience a .22 rifle/carbine herself.

-Respect her wish, if she holds fast against. Barring some God-forbid, ugly luck, you'll have many years ahead that you can have as many firearms in YOUR place as you wish/can afford. That time'll be here in a flash.


nero
 
wait for Xmas :)


hopefully.


if not, get a high powered airgun :)
Tell em its a a toy. BB gun ya know.
 
Trade off. You have to approach your parents with the will to be more responsible, more mature, and thus, more "worthy" of being responsible with firearms. Get a part time job (which will also reward you with the funds for future gun purchases), offer to do even MORE around the house, or ask them to tell you what THEY would want from you before they treat you like an adult. This will get their attention, and they will realize that the guns are not a fad, power trip, and that you are very serious about your hobby. At the very least, a part time job will give you the funds in hand for when you turn 18, can buy the rifle on your own, and keep it elsewhere if you have to.
 
As a mom of teens and young adults, I would want to see demonstrations of how responsible and mature you are and evidence of your mindfulness about safety. We mom's can't help dragging our heels a bit at seeing you kids growing up and away from us, but for the most part we'll award you the amount of adult freedom that suits the behavior and habits we see out of you.

You didn't mention if you have younger siblings or about how the existing gun is currently stored but if you do have younger siblings and/or if the existing gun's storage arrangements are less secure than desirable that could contribute to a disinclination to add to the gun collection. So working on that aspect could help.

I understand about AP courses being your job because I did the same in high school -- studied hard to earn scholarship money. But, in retrospect, I could have done a little paid work on weekends and it probably would have been good both financially and as work experience to benefit getting started in life. There's something about a person who is holding a job, even a minor job, that commands respect and changes people's attitudes about them.

My daughter has what I consider the perfect student job -- she delivers some of those free-for-the-taking magazines. Except for unloading the truck at the warehouse once every two months her schedule is completely flexible as long as those racks around town stay full. Seeking out something along those lines might work for you.

Good luck.
 
Tell her about the economics of the 2 rounds.
Tell her about how fun it is and that she could shoot too.
Show her how safe you can be with a firearm, constantly remind her about the rules of safety.
Show how responsible you are, with AP + Honors this shouldn't be hard, I know from experience. Show off your good report cards to show how responsible you are.
If all that fails just flat out ask her why she doesn't want another gun in the house. If she can't give a logical answer, which I doubt she will just appeal to her logical side and explain why you should have another gun. My mom didn't want me to buy a gun but I argued using logic and told her to think logically, not emotionally. Although she still doesn't like guns she has no problem with me getting them. Make all kinds of safety rules and agreements with them like where to keep the gun and to keep it locked. I did all this a little over a year ago and after that first purchase all the rest were easy, they just roll their eyes and say "yea whatever". Now both my parents acknowledge that I know way more about guns and gun safety than they ever will and they let me keep them in my room. I've got 2 Mosins leaning in the corner not 5 feet away right now. Keep pushing with logical arguments but do not nag. The first purchase is the hardest, the rest are easy providing you have the funds.
By the way very nice choice on the rifle, I don't know how long your range goes too but you might not need such a high power scope.
 
Hey all,

Let me clear some things up. First of all, I talked to my mom today and we came to an agreement! She will allow me to purchase the rifle, on the condition that the .30-06 will have to have a trigger lock (she and dad will have the key). :D

However, I'd like to clear some things up about myself personally. My GPA is a 3.7 and I am currently under a full AP and UW-in-the-high school course load. My schedule:
1. AP Physics B (equivalent to a year-long course on the UW campus)
2. University of Washington Writing 131
3. AP Calculus AB
4. UW Earth and Space Sciences (Geology course at UW)
5. APGI
6. Film as literature

With this kind of a course load, I cannot maintain my grades AND a job. I have had an AP course load similar to this my entire high school career, and hope to be an aerospace engineer when all is finished (looking at Georgia Tech, U Michigan, or U of Washington). In fact, because of my AP tests and UW credit classes, I will be entering college with 40 credits. This will save an entire year's worth of tuition (kind of like having a job).

Also, I did not say I did not have any money, I said I do not currently have a job. During the summer, I do general contracting with my dad, and of course odd jobs with neighbors/family friends. The only time my parents buy anything for me is for Christmas or my birthday. Other than that, I am on my own financially.

As far as my responsibility goes, I have never touched drugs or alcohol, and have yet to get in a car crash (When, not if..I am aware.) Also, this past July I safely lead a small group to the summit of Mt. Hood.

I apologize if some feel I went to far in this post, but a few of the comments made me feel looked down upon.

Anyway, the point is, I can get the rifle!

Thanks for the input everyone,

- The Next Generation

Back to my homework...
 
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Congratulations! That course load sounds tougher than mine and I know I have a lot of work with honors everything and engineering. Be careful, THR is a great source of homework distraction :). Good luck shooting and in school.
 
Someone asked where I shoot (kayak-man). I shoot at a great little range called the Renton Fish and Game Club. Not a whole lot to talk about, but they have a nice trap shooting area, some action bays, a covered pistol range to 50 yds, and a 12 bench covered rifle range to 200yds (concrete floor of course). Plus, membership is only a $1.00 per year until I'm 18. Can't go wrong!

Sometimes I go to the Cascade Rifle and Pistol Club with my neighbor (members only range). It is fantastic. All kinds of options, rifle range out to 600yds.

Adios,

- The Next Generation
 
Glad to hear it all worked out! I am on my way to a first firearms purchase as well so it is good to hear of another person around my age making it! (LOL)
 
TNG,
Now that Mom is on board with the .22, have her check out Appleseed.

Top-notch marksmanship instruction, with an emphasis on safety. PLUS, you get to learn some history about this great country that isn't taught in school anymore.

Since you are under 21, it only costs $5 for the weekend, and only $10 for Mom.
 
Glad you got it worked out.

I was going to recommend telling her, "Flick says he saw some grizzly bears near Pulaski's candy store!"


My story, at the risk of being only 'Pretty High Road":

My mother was against me getting my first firearm because of age, or so she said. I was not old enough for a gun, she maintained. I was on her case constantly, debating the finer points, the coarser points, telling her I feared for the family's safety, the country's security, being overrun by rabbits, etc.,all to no avail.

We had one bathroom in the house. No shower, only a bathtub. I used to lay in the tub relaxing until the water cooled, add some more hot water, and repeat. i could get through almost two Springsteen cassettes on a good day if I really tried. Anyway, there I was, curtain retracted, when my mother barged in with a load of towels.

She stopped mid-stride, wrinkled up her nose like she smelled something bad, and yelled "Holy Cripes, you've got PUBIC HAIR!"

I pulled the curtain, and calmly told her, "If I'm old enough for hair, I'm old enough for a gun..."

It was a Universal Doublewing 20 gauge SxS, choked full and modified, and I still have it. Were I more creative back then, or given to naming my guns, I would have called this one "Curly" without doubt.
 
Thanks Next Gen. It does sound like you are someone your parrents can be proud of. I've got some friends who have some kids whom are on the other end of the spectrum and a number who are just getting by. You just never know. Getting a good education will definately help you in later life. Glad to hear your mom and you have reached an agreement.
 
amflyer- LOL! I am going to name my first gun (which I should purchase within a matter of weeks) Abraham- because it will be the father (first) of many.
 
TNG,

Sounds like you've got everything handled pretty well! I took UW-in-highschool and AP classes in highschool, so I really do understand what you mean when you say there is a huge time commitment.

Since you're just getting into guns, I'd like to, if I may, give you some free (and worth every penny) advice that I wish someone had told me when I started shooting:

Don't settle. Get the gun you want. You may have to save up longer, but in the long run you'll have to pay more as you get the sub-par gun AND the one you want years later.

I may check out both of those ranges if I end up on the other side of the water (I'm near Bainbridge right now).

Have a good one,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
Next Gen.,
Congratulations on your endeavor, and your educational studies! I was fortunate to have a Dad that understood shooting, and responsibilities that go hand in hand. My first .22 rifle was a single shot target rifle, once I proved I was responsible, the restrictions were loosened, and more lateral thinking applied. As I got older, hunting became the next scene........ I'm just trying to give you a time line on this. You've already proven you can be trusted, never let this be compromised in any way! Good luck in your future plans, I hope you graduate with top honors in your field, you're deserving!
 
Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the support! Hopefully I will be ordering the rifle this weekend from a nearby FFL. I totally understand the "you may as well start with what you'll end up with" mentality, and intend to live by it. As I stated earlier, my chosen rifle is the CZ455 American. I am rethinking the scope though, perhaps it would be a better choice to sacrifice magnification power for a MOA or MIL dot reticle. I'll probably start another thread shortly, or find one to see if this is wise.


- The Next Generation
 
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