At what age do think that firearms should be allowed for self defense?

[obxned]

At what age does is a person in America no longer required to be a helpless victim?

 

[BullfrogKen]

obxned,

That's a subject for Legal and Political. Post on topic in Strategies and Tactics, or don't respond.

 

[Kentak]

I'm probably echoing every other post, but I say as long as they're appropriately responsible, firearm-educated, and disciplined, then the younger the better

You are *not* echoing every other post. And, "younger the better" just makes no sense, especially in this context.

K

 

[McCall911]

You are *not* echoing every other post. And, "younger the better" just makes no sense, especially in this context

Sometimes I don't have to make sense, just as long as I'm pithy.

Seriously, the general age bracket I think I was referring to was roughly drivers' permit age (15 or so.)

 

[Kentak]

the general age bracket I think I was referring to was roughly drivers' permit age (15 or so.)

Now we're in the same "sensible" ballpark.

 

[AndyC]

My vote would go for 16, with the parent/guardian's permission. Otherwise, 18.

 

[jaholder1971]

Titan6,

From past experience: My late father was a cop. When I was younger we had more than a couple close calls where we lived due to Dad's occupation. While there was easy access to guns in the house at all times we had our instructions from Dad what to do: Get out and run to the neighbors.

I also believe you underestimate your wife: History and nature both teach us that there is nothing more dangerous on the face of the planet than a mother who is protecting her children. This instinct is deeper and more aggressive than any other. Teach her how to use the guns and let her keep the home front safe.

I also recall an old TV show that covered 911 incidents highlighting a similar event: It was a burglary where the burglar was confronted by the homeowner and the burglar stabbed him. Homeowner's son, 15, grabbed a .22 and shot the burglar while the homeowner's daughter relayed the entire event to the 911 operator as it happened.

Although the cops were there in minutes they were unable to enter the home because the son was so freaked out that he was shooting at every moving shadow outside thinking they were more burglars, except they were cops. It took something like an hour or longer to get the kid calmed down enough to talk to the 911 operator and let the cops in. All the while the burglar bled out dead and the homeowner came close to the same fate.

Your child may be very responsible, but IHMO there are better options.

 

[TCB in TN]

By age ten-ish I was reading way beyond my years; I recall reading Zane Grey and others during the War, and I was just eleven on VJ Day. Certainly the concept of shooting a Bad Guy was not at all beyond me. I was already hunting and trapping. Catching and killing a chicken for Sunday dinner. Helping with hog-butchering and veterinary stuff liked doctoring screw worms in cows/calves. All that started when I was about seven.

"You take care of your Mom" would have had me being a pretty good guard dog.

I was reading Louis Lamour myself, I had my own gun for a couple of years at that point and like you said when dad couldn't be around I was expected to "act" as the man of the house as much as possible. I don't know what I could have done, but I know I would have tried to do something, and my old 12ga was loaded and waiting, ready if I needed it.

BTW my boys are 11 and 13, and both are very familiar with weapons. When traveling I normally keep 2 in the vehicle, my CCW and a larger hi-cap pistol. My oldest son knows that if the SHTF on the road, and I end up out of commission, then he is to stay with the vehicle with my CC pc, and protect the rest of the family. Would he shoot someone who tried to hurt him, his brother, sis, or my wife? Yep, he would! That said, I hope he never has to, but I would rather he deal with that than he and they be dead.

 

[nezumi]

I think age only clouds the question. I have friends who at 25 are unfit to vote, muchless own a weapon. On the other hand, I have known children as young as 12 who I would trust to use a firearm safely and effectively.

At the tender age of 10, I'd want to teach them run and hide first, but having a pop gun on hand just to leave options open could be reasonable. It really depends on the child. Some truly are wise beyond their years.

 

[kellyj00]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I want to make a few points.
a 10 year old isn't an adult by any stretch of the imagination, and it isn't his responsibility to defend himself until he's of an older age. That's my opinion, we're required to feed, cloth and protect our children until they're old enough to be adults....

I'd leave a 12 gauge with my wife before I'd leave a .22 with my 10 year old. No matter how mature he is, he may end up making a mistake. Remember, at the age of 10 responsibility doesn't mean the same thing as it does to an adult.

Honestly, I have met quite a few grown men that shouldn't own guns at all and are way too dangerous to be around...but still, they insist on buying firearms and shooting them into the air on New Years eve.

 

[crankshop1000]

21

 

[Titan6]

I saw this the other day from a web site a member here runs:

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3750.html

It certainly gives more food for thought.

BTW- I have not underestimated my wife at all. She is more than capable of defending the house to a point. But no one person is an island and two people armed and trained people are a 100% improvement over one person.

 

[HankB]

When I was a youngster, I had early access to guns . . . provided I was alone.

If any other kids were around, guns were strictly off-limits unless Dad was there.

You know the kid better than anyone else on this board . . . the question is . . . do you think he's responsible enough to be trusted?