Children in an adult gun site?

[JohnBT]

"As long as the parents in control of the gun, it's their gun"

Exactly. It's similar to the situation if the kid next door gives me his summer grass-cutting money and I buy a gun and put it in my safe - it's mine. He can say it's his, but it's not - I have possession and the paperwork to prove it. The money was a gift. If I give him the gun it's obviously a different story.

The same thing as if he gives me his money to buy a car. He can't own the car and I can't give him the keys. I've known 15-year-olds who paid for a car with saved money and had it sitting in the driveway waiting for the day they turned 16 and could drive. Or at one time 15.5 and could get a learners.

I drove on the D.C. beltway at 15.5. And got my license the day I turned 16.

John

 

[JohnBT]

"Children in an adult gun site?"

What's an "adult gun site"? It's a gun board/forum/site.

Do you want to return to the days of children being seen and not heard? You know, don't speak unless you're spoken to.

Should children be banned from automotive sites because they might learn how to steal a car and drive away?

And what about banning them from sites focused on human reproductive diseases?

Where does the overprotective parental helicoptering end?

John

P.S. - In Scandinavia, helicoptering/hovering is known as curling parenthood and describes parents who attempt to sweep all obstacles out of the paths of their children.

 

[LibShooter]

I think we can all agree there is nothing the folks who run The High Road can do to absolutely keep minors off the site. The best they can hope for is a button that says "Click to enter if you are you 18 years old."

That will result in two things, both bad:

1. Law abiding kids looking for real safety information may go away.

2. Kids looking for age inappropriate information will be attracted to the site. Everybody knows the "Good Stuff" lies beyond the adults only buttons.

It's an illusion of safety, like the "No Guns" signs at the park.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I know there are some of you here that are probably LE, and I have to ask ..... would you let a 14 year old kid be your backup even if the SHTF? My oldest will be 14 in December and even though he's incredibly smart and a really good shooter, there are some things, like taking another person's life if the "SHTF" really happens, that are really too deep to discuss with someone this young, much less discuss about online.

at what age do you think it would not be "too deep" to discuss taking another person's life...especially in a SHTF situation?

And once again, I still have not found a good reason, in years of browsing gun forums, why "SHTF" is a topic worthy of posting.

just the most recent...Katrina?

i think the importance of posting such threads is to get folks thinking about being prepared when the infrastructure takes a hiccup

 

[Justin]

2. He talks about being "backup" for a LEO and an FBI agent in a SHTF scenario.

As adults, our job is to dissuade him from getting into a mode of thinking that tends to the Walter Mitty side of things, and to steer him in the direction of learning the basics of marksmanship skills in a proper program, such as are available through the Boy Scouts, 4H, or NRA.

Rather than mock the kid, it strikes me that the constructive thing to do is to show him the proper path to becoming an upstanding gun owner, and what that all entails.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This is as probably a "kid-friendly" of a site as you can get. We are, after all, talking about guns.

 

[Justo]

I'm just curious as what opinions are about children being in this site? This site may be a "family" site but I assumed that meant to keep the language clean and so forth in case they wander on or are looking over our shoulder when we peruse in here. There is a lot information on here and some of it is not G rated.

Why must I as a grown adult have to change the way I act just in case someone’s children stumble across this site. I feel there should be no need to censor myself on this type of forum because a parent doesn't want to explain or discuss these things with their child. I feel that parents should have open communication about firearms as well as other subjects.

Don’t get me started about my views on parents trying to limit other adult’s liberties and freedoms just because they feel that I will protect their children.

 

[ldyates]

"Education is dangerous - Every educated person is a future enemy."
- Hermann Goering

 

[Davek1977]

I'm not a parent, but if I were, this would be about the last site I'd personally be afriad of them visiting. My parents bought me all the gun mags I could read from the point I showed any interest at all. There's nothing here more inherently offensive than I'd find in the pages of any gun magazine, IMO. With milliopns of sites out there promoting any and everything, I'd rather my child be readiing up here on the latest combat handgun than conversing with some pervert 2 states away trying to convince them to pose for a few "innocent" pictures or worse. Many things are offensive and/or inappropriate fro young viewers. However, I don't believe this site os one of them, not should the site be responsible for doing the parent's job or attempt to restrict viewing to certain age groups.

 

[HardShell]

I'm not a parent, but if I were, this would be about the last site I'd personally be afriad of them visiting...

I am a parent and completely agree.

 

[AR-15Nutt]

any thread about SHTF, EOTWAWKI, Zombie Apocalypse, should just be auto delete.

i agree 1,000% no mater who posts it !

i also have a problem with many posters who use the word "FEEL".., PLEASE... try using these words, "THINK" and "BELIEVE" rather than the liberal emotion invoking "FEEL", personally i despise that word, "FEEL"

example:

"I feel there should be no need to censor myself"

"I BELIEVE there should be no need to censor myself"

 

[MarineOne]

at what age do you think it would not be "too deep" to discuss taking another person's life...especially in a SHTF situation?

Not to start a flame war but we're talking about a 14 year old kid that doesn't fall in your family tree and isn't related to anyone here. How would you feel, as a parent, if someone you don't know started talking to your child about SHTF and having to take someone's life?

He's not related to me and I have no real life contact with him so I have nothing to base his understanding of how serious taking a life is. It's not my place, nor do I think its anyone's place, to discuss something this serious with someone of that age. It's his parents job not mine.

As adults, our job is to dissuade him from getting into a mode of thinking that tends to the Walter Mitty side of things, and to steer him in the direction of learning the basics of marksmanship skills in a proper program, such as are available through the Boy Scouts, 4H, or NRA.

Rather than mock the kid, it strikes me that the constructive thing to do is to show him the proper path to becoming an upstanding gun owner, and what that all entails.

Justin has a point about making him become a responsible firearms owner and that is something we all here can do.




Kris

 

[Lou McGopher]

Maybe we could put a checkbox on the signup that says, "You must be at least 18 to use this website. Are you at least 18?" That way the kids know from be beginning that they have lie about their age in order to talk about guns with us.

 

[coloradokevin]

Parents are the only effective net filter.

^^ What he said.

Personally, I'd be glad to see more young folks becoming interesting in shooting related activities! If we want to be able to defend 2A rights in the next generation, we'll need to have the support of that generation.

Honestly, I don't think that the information on this site is too "mature" for juveniles to be reading. I'm not quite sure what the OP is worried about? I don't think a juvenile is going to go commit an act of violence because they read about guns on the internet, and I don't think this site is going to enable the child to purchase guns illegally.

That's just my $0.02, your mileage may vary.

 

[Justo]

AR sorry I'm offended you with my choice of synonyms.

 

[Skillet]

i think that young people getting on this site is a great thing. people need to be taught about the second amendment and why it is so important and what freedom it gives the people of this country. just because your not of age to buy a gun legally yet does not mean that you can't still enjoy and have fun learning and talking about them. the second amendment does not say that you have the right to keep and bear arms, except for the people under the age of 18 and 21.

age is not maturity and maturity is not age. they both have two different definitions for a reason. one does not magically create the other, meaning that the instant you turn 18 or 21 your not magically mature.

just my 2 cents

 

[Gunfighter123]

MarineOne posted;

2. He talks about being "backup" for a LEO and an FBI agent in a SHTF scenario.

How many of you, mods included, would discuss this type of thing with a 14 year old? I know there are some of you here that are probably LE, and I have to ask ..... would you let a 14 year old kid be your backup even if the SHTF? My oldest will be 14 in December and even though he's incredibly smart and a really good shooter, there are some things, like taking another person's life if the "SHTF" really happens, that are really too deep to discuss with someone this young, much less discuss about online.

Are we reading too much into this ?? I took it as the OP meaning -- IF and a BIG IF , there was a SHTF scenario , he maybe becomes a "backup" or 2nd line of defense as his neighbors are ADULTS and have law enforcement backgrounds and he would wait/expect them to be the 1st line of defense.

You asked the question

would you let a 14 year old kid be your backup even if the SHTF?

Let me ask ---- would you wait for a SHTF or ANOTHER TYPE of Deadly Scenario BEFORE talking about it to a loved one ??

You also stated --

My oldest will be 14 in December and even though he's incredibly smart and a really good shooter, there are some things, like taking another person's life if the "SHTF" really happens, that are really too deep to discuss with someone this young, much less discuss about online

What is the "right age" to discuss the moral/legal responseabilty of being put in a situation where you have to make a choice of being killed/raped/maimed etc. ---- 9mmepiphany already asked you and I really didn't see a clear ansewer ---- you have stated that your own 14 year old son is not mature enough for you to discuss this with --- at what age will he be ready to understand that takeing a life IS NOT as you see on TV or a video game ??

I don't remember ANYONE telling the OP {YoungGunner} that he should start to "mow down everyone" etc. ---- most all replies were to WHAT KIND OF FIREARM would be a good choice to defend yourself and family.

IMHO --- Self-Defense is a God given Right and there is No Age Limit on it.

BTW --- it IS SAD and UNFORTIONATE but there are/have been many recorded cases where a person under the "legal age" has used a firearm to lawfully defend themselves or family/loved ones.

 

[ChCx2744]

I'm guessing you got your idea of creating this thread from this guy's thread:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=468474

And um...This is just my opinion, but I believe that (Even though maturity rate is a factor), age should be an issue when it comes to things as serious as firearms, tobacco, alcohol, sex, etc. There is a certain amount of time it takes before a person can have enough experience and maturity to understand some of these things...And sometimes I believe some kids are still too young to be exposed to some of the things in this world...Things, such as firearms, knives, defensive tactics and whatnot can be taught to children at an early age, but at the same time, the parent(s)/gaurdian(s) of those children need to have enough compentence to monitor the child's reactions, experiences, learned knowledge, responsibilities, etc. until they are at least of LEGAL age to own/purchase them...Some may not agree with me, some may. I just believe this because, yea, some laws are pish posh, but all in all, laws are written for a reason; whether they are written as a reaction to people dying/problems, or to prevent people dying/problems....I can go further into this, but that is the gist of what I believe on this subject matter....

MarineOne said:

How would you feel, as a parent, if someone you don't know started talking to your child about SHTF and having to take someone's life?

How many of you, mods included, would discuss this type of thing with a 14 year old? I know there are some of you here that are probably LE, and I have to ask ..... would you let a 14 year old kid be your backup even if the SHTF?

I agree with your reasoning 100%. Even though he seems to demonstrate a working curiosity and desire to learn about firearms, I believe that he needs to be concentrating on more pressing matters at his age...And if his life REALLY is in jeopardy to the point where he is worrying about his parents and law enforcement not being able to help him...He needs to consult his parents and the local law enforcement first. Also, his credibility of actually being 14 years old has become a truthfulness issue...I don't even think the guy is really 14 years old...Just asking for attention.

And btw, Impureclient is not a troll. He actually contributes to threads, so don't just...Call him that out of impulse.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Also, his credibility of actually being 14 years old has become a truthfulness issue...I don't even think the guy is really 14 years old...Just asking for attention.

are we reading the same thread...granted i just read the first page (mostly his post to get a feel for him)

i think he was posting/presenting as being older with a genuine interest in obtaining good information. it read as someone who was taking his possible responsibility very seriously.

maybe it's a cultural thing that leads some of you to believe that a 14 year old isn't ready for this information/decision. far be it from me to tell you how to raise your children...i've only had 2....but i think they should have an understanding of how the real world works.

but that's just me, i don't think teaching abstinence works either

 

[SuperNaut]

LOL I read way worse things than THR by the time I was 14. Before there was an internet there was the library, and I read everything in it. Knowledge is power, limiting knowledge is a power trip.

 

[DeadLiver]

I can understand the OP's direction here. Some kid may come on here wanting to learn about "tools that kill". What better place? Now we can explain to him that you never a point a gun at an object you do not intend to destroy, etc, etc, etc. As far as somebody trying to work out a "Mall Ninja" scenario, most "action" threads I've read here seem to be AAR's where the options available to the people involved in said action are picked apart and discussed. What seems to be most discussed is pointing out opportunities where the subject might have been able to escape the situation entirely. No glory seekers here on THR, we want to avoid the situations we prepare for. Kid may even do well to listen up. I'd gladly welcome any kids who're willing to abide by the same rules as the adults do.
Nothing better than taking a couple of good boys and stickin em in the woods with a couple of guys who can teach them the correct way of things; then you send em on home to their mommas! That's how Boy Scouts worked for me!

I read Mein Kampf in 6th grade...straight from the school Library. I don't think we've got anything as dangerous as that on THR.

 

[jordan1948]

All I know is I've been on here since I was 16 but I most likely wouldn't be if my parents knew everything I wanted to know about guns. My parents accept guns but they don't shoot them verry often or clean them or for the most part remember what kind they are but that's because guns don't interest them like they interest me that's why I'm on here learning as much as I can. I don't have any problem with children younger than me being on here as long as they don't fill up the forum with smut and non-gun/hunting/camping/outdoors related information because lets face it, just because the vehicle-mounted 50 cal in call of duty 4 is awesome doesn't mean we want to hear about it on a REAL gun forum.

 

[ghoster]

kids on thr--- oh my what ever will we do.

good. hope to tell ya if you think they cant get past any security set up you are way deep in denial.

8-10 year olds can find anything they want and can get around all the blocks and controls available.

ask me how i know, yep got 8 of em, 3-18 so at any given time i have 14 or 15 kids running around. i have a stelth program that allows me to see what they have been up to and damn those kids are smart.rember when tv remots came out and mom and dad couldnt figure them out? same thing with the web and kids today.

you can get detailed info on how to make bombs, drugs, see porn of all kinds on the web so the idea of kids hanging out here talking to cranky old geezers to newbies seem like a good idea to me.

 

[Mandolin]

I found this site at 16 or 17 and have been reading ever since. I'd rather a kid be here than at the Arizona Shooting.com sit, it lacks the censorship this site has. We don't have profanity or inapropriate pics here. That's good. And yes, the library has plenty of books that might be inaproprate, and there is no rating sytem for books.

 

[bryskee]

Yeah because kids can't find the information anywhere else huh. Ever heard of search engines? If parents are worried about their kids learning the wrong things on this site, then the parents better learn the right way and teach their kids the right way too. The rest is parental filters, parental supervision etc.