Do you take your infants / toddlers to the range?
- Thread starter Mulliga
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Sir Aardvark
Member
If they're not old enough to take an active part in the range activities then they have no business being there.
Maybe the dad doesn't know about the problems with lead. If I wasn't a member of forums and such I wouldn't know. I don't see how the range officer or if there is no officer, cashier, let the guy take his child out there. They are pretty strict at the ranges I go too.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Nope...not 'till they're @ least 5...
And possibly older, depending on the kid.
0-1: Bigtime concerns of hearing damage, noise trauma. Basically, you'd have a helpless proto-person strapped to a stroller pooping their diapers every time a round went off.
Incidentally, the startle reflex is one of the few root BIOS routines we're born with.
1-3: Once they're mobile, they're impossible to corral. Still too young to rely of them keeping their protective gear in place, this is the age they're most likely to take off down range.
If you don't think a toddler will take off downrange, then you've never had to care for a toddler.
Furthermore, their communications and understanding is extremely limited, and they can wind up with some VERY strange ideas as to what's going on.
4-5: At this stage in the game, they're getting a bit more solid, but they're still unpredictable enough that I'd not risk it.
5+: Evaluate the kid seriously, and act accordingly.
And possibly older, depending on the kid.
0-1: Bigtime concerns of hearing damage, noise trauma. Basically, you'd have a helpless proto-person strapped to a stroller pooping their diapers every time a round went off.
Incidentally, the startle reflex is one of the few root BIOS routines we're born with.
1-3: Once they're mobile, they're impossible to corral. Still too young to rely of them keeping their protective gear in place, this is the age they're most likely to take off down range.
If you don't think a toddler will take off downrange, then you've never had to care for a toddler.
Furthermore, their communications and understanding is extremely limited, and they can wind up with some VERY strange ideas as to what's going on.
4-5: At this stage in the game, they're getting a bit more solid, but they're still unpredictable enough that I'd not risk it.
5+: Evaluate the kid seriously, and act accordingly.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
The father may have been attentive, but if the child keeps moving and sliding off the muffs, it's a bad decision on his part. Gun ranges aren't day cares and I can't say I'd want my child exposed to the lead. He's not washing his hands before he touches his child is he?
sumpnz
Member
Only time I've taken my daughter to the range was when my wife was evaluating some pistol options with my then-FFL. We took turns shooting, and the whoever had baby duty was inside a range building well away from the firing line. You could barely, if at all, tell there was a shooting range right outside. Otherwise she's always stayed with mom or a babysitter if mom was joining me.
+1 on what geek said. Especially
+1 on what geek said. Especially
Thin Black Line
Member
I wouldn't consider being in the range building or elsewhere at a camp
ground feeding the ducks with mom as "being at the range" ie, the
firing line.
ground feeding the ducks with mom as "being at the range" ie, the
firing line.
artherd
member
Hell No!
Kramer Krazy
Member
Not the outdoor range, but I take my 9-month old daughter to the indoor range all the time, but........she stays in the lobby or lounge/TV room and my wife and I take turns tending to her while the other shoots. Before we swap, the one that just returned from the range cleans up. We probably do this at least once a month.
rock jock
Member
Actually, I would have told the dad to remove the kid from the range or I would call the police. The son should not have to live with permanent hearing damage because of a stupid, ignorant father.
johnmcl
Member
Six and Under.... No Thanks
Hi all,
From practical experience, you watch your sub-six year old, or you can watch your rifle. Both need full attention and you can't do both at the same time.
Pick one or the other, and let safety rule.
John
Hi all,
From practical experience, you watch your sub-six year old, or you can watch your rifle. Both need full attention and you can't do both at the same time.
Pick one or the other, and let safety rule.
John
dustind
Member
I agree with Rock Jock, that guy was negligent. I hope his kidis not deaf because of what happened to him.
scout26
Member
Here's a pic of my 4 year at the trap range. He's a great trapper, and hull scrounger. Loves pushing the buttons when my 11yo daughter and I shoot skeet. (She cocks and loads the clays on the machine, he pulls the handle, most the time when you call pull, other times when he's just darn good and ready and you're not. 
)
On the rifle range, he sits in chair behind the yellow line while his sister shoots the short-stocked Marlin 60 I've got for them. When it's his turn, I hold the rifle, he sits on my lap, aims, and pulls the trigger. He really likes shooting ballons and clay pigeons. Granted, I'm not shooting, they are. So, I'm always watching him. Never had a problem with him farting around crossing the yellow line or taking his eyes/ears off while the range is HOT. In fact he won't take them off until we are off the range.
)On the rifle range, he sits in chair behind the yellow line while his sister shoots the short-stocked Marlin 60 I've got for them. When it's his turn, I hold the rifle, he sits on my lap, aims, and pulls the trigger. He really likes shooting ballons and clay pigeons. Granted, I'm not shooting, they are. So, I'm always watching him. Never had a problem with him farting around crossing the yellow line or taking his eyes/ears off while the range is HOT. In fact he won't take them off until we are off the range.
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