How my Dad taught me what a gun does

[Double Maduro]

Yeah, you're right, no-one said "pet" rabbit.

My point can best be made by asking a question.

How many anti hunting anti gun people do you know that are that way, at least partly, because of "BAMBI"?

Oh, the way my dad taught me about guns was in the way he handled them. He always handled them with respect and caution. Every gun we owned was always loaded and unlocked. Not one of us 4 kids would have dreamed of taking one down, much less pointing it at anything we didn't want to shoot.

DM

 

[OF]

Firearms are tools to kill

They are tools, one of the things they can do is kill but that is not the primary purpose of all guns - not even defensive or martial firearms, necessarily. If it were they would come with poison bullets.

Guns are used to stop people. Just semantics? It's an important distinction. If killing were the only purpose of the gun, you'd think we could design a tool that would be more effective than what we have now. Plenty of people survive their gunshot wounds, far more than die from them.

To say that guns are designed for killing makes for a good soundbite, but it is demonstrably untrue.

- Gabe

 

[BluesBear]

Guns were made to accurately fire projectiles.

Once upon a time you had slings and catapaults, they launched round balls.
You also had long bows and cross bows and they shot arrows or bolts.
The first guns were designed to launch these projectiles.
They were big & clumsy and not as fast to fire so they were less effective.
But they were smaller. It took a while before they were as powerful.
It took a long time before they were small enough to be carried comfortably by one person.

In modern firearms developments it is still the norm to design the ammunition first and then develope the platform from which to launch it.

 

[Dave R]

I kinda learned on my own, with help from my Mom.

Found a dead baby bird that had been shot by neighbor's bb gun. Took it home, put on a band-aid and some cream. Showed Mom. I was 3 or 4.

She almost cried, and explained that death was irreversible. I was nice for trying to save the bird, but too late. The look in her face is what set the lesson for me.

Don't think I ever voilated Rule #1 intentionally thereafter.

 

[Shalako]

Although I grew up target shooting, hunting lizzards with a BB gun, and the occaisional rabbit hunt with the step-dad and .22s, the demo from hunter safety really left an impression. The instructor (Bob Fallis, Arcata CA) took us to the range and gave the safety talk one more time. Curriously, there was a head of cabbage over on a post with a John Deere cap to symbolize a huntin buddy. As Bob faced us, his shotgun was pointed to the side and he fired a shot. That cabbage head exploded into a million shreds. Wow! That really seemed to signify how an accident or careless negligence could have permanent and horrible effects.

I was also pretty impressed with the side angle, non-looking, point shooting done by ol Bob.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I wish my father had taught me about shooting, but he believed ignorance is bliss.

 

[dav]

A little different in "the city"

My dad had guns. Never used 'em, just kept them in the closet.

But when I was 12 or so, they enrolled me in an NRA course at the nearest range. Still have the patches I earned for marksmanship (and the .22).

Range rules were strictly observed. Even though my rifle would hold 17 rounds, I was only allowed one round, and couldn't load until ready to fire.

Guns were so far outside our normal existence that the rules were easy to follow. Guns were not something you used at home, they were something you kept hidden away, and only took out to take to the range. And you only used them to punch holes in paper.

Strange, yes as kids we played with toy guns and "killed" each other. But there was no pretending the guns were real, we weren't at a range, so how could they be?. Play was play you could do anywhere; real couldn't do that.

Interesting thread... I hadn't realized that's how I thought about guns until you guys mentioned it.

 

[scottsw1]

My dad gave me a Daisy BB gun for my 6th birthday. 5 minutes later a I had accidently pointed the muzzle at them it was put up for a week. I still remember watching my dad carrying my rifle back to the house and I have never forgotten that lesson.

 

[SMLE]

Both my folks grew up with guns. Dad was in combat with the Marines in WWII. The demo I got was a can of tomato paste shot with a .38 Super Auto hollow point. My folks also followed the "gun proof the kids" school of thought. Mom's Colt Commander was kept loaded in the cupboard above the fridge. If I wanted to see it, all I had to do was ask. There was no "forbidden fruit" situation. One of them would get it down, demonstrate how to unload it properly and give me the gun safety lecture from A to Z. I would be allowed to hold it while being coached on muzzle control and other safe handling rules. Then they would demonstrate the proper way to lock and load a Colt automatic, give me the gun safety lecture from Z to A and put it back in its box. Now some folks would sh*t at the idea of leaving a loaded pistol where a kid KNEW where it was, but they also made sure that the kid KNEW damn well it was loaded. THAT is what gets kids killed, the "I didn't know it was loaded" syndrome. That works for most adults as well. Let then KNOW the thing's got a round up the pipe and they'll usually think before they mess with it.

 

[jamz]

I have a four year old son that I'd like to take to the range with me in a little while. My biggest fear is that he will be over at a friend's house, the friend will know that his dad has a gun, and will do something stupid to show off.

I want my boy to know exactly what to do in that situation- either get the hell out quick, or be really careful and make sure the gun is unloaded, and then give his friend hell for fooling around whenhe doesn't know what he is doing.

Right now there is not much I can do- he hates loud noises currently. But when he turns 6 or so, I will make sure he has the rules drilled into him.

 

[kenehsr]

Quote

He recently gave this lesson to my 2 little sisters, this time using a rabbit.

OH MY GOSH!!!! YOU KILLED THE EASTER BUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gopher]

I got a little Daisey BB gun for Christmas when I was six. I cocked that thing so many times that day I had blisters on both hands. The lesson was driven home when I finally hit that first sparrow. I'll never forget picking up that little bird, hearing it chirp one time and watching it's eyes glaze over, close and die. That taught me the power of a gun.