Is anyone reluctant to give a gun as a gift?

[Dr. Sandman]

I enjoyed the "gun as a gift" thread. It begs the question: Has anybody been reluctant to give a gun as a gift? I kind of wanted to get one for my neighbor kid when he went off to college because I think that he would like to shoot and his parents are anti's. In the end, I did not want him to get in trouble with a gun that I provided, so I opted for the Wal-Mart gift card. How do you know for sure that your gift recipient is not somebody who is not supposed to have a gun? Or that they won't do something stupid with it? I think it is a much better idea to give a gift card to your LGS, or Wal-Mart, or where-ever. That way you can tell them that you want them to pick out their own gun. I would be reluctant to give a gun as a gift to somebody that was not my own flesh and blood. They are going to get my guns someday anyhow...

 

[alsaqr]

Has anybody been reluctant to give a gun as a gift?

Not i.

 

[Fred in Wisc]

Not I either. It's especially fun to give a young person who is a responsible shooter/hunter their first gun. With parental permission and provisions for safe storage, of course.

 

[Legionnaire]

No. That said, I have friends and family to whom I would NOT give a gun. But those who are interested and responsible? No reluctance at all.

 

[Ed Ames]

Having grown up in southern California where guns were NOT socially accepted, I have only gifted close family because frankly outside of close family we didn't disclose our position on guns.

Since moving out of that environment I have gradually lost some of that reluctance, but I still have reservations.

I am not concerned that the recipient would cause harm, but the choice of gift reveals info about the giver. Does it serve me to reveal that particular info? Especially since gifts get talked about.

 

[gspn]

Not me. I would never be giving a gun to someone I didn't know really well so I'm not worried about recipients getting in trouble with them.

I've given them as retirement gifts to good friends leaving the military after 20years of service...I don't worry about it.

 

[MtnCreek]

I kind of wanted to get one for my neighbor kid when he went off to college because I think that he would like to shoot and his parents are anti's.

In that case, no I would not have gifted a gun. The kid would have to figure out storage and if he's living on campus (most likely for first year) and the parents don't like guns, he's starting to run out of options.

Gift card was a good choice for a kid going off to school. Other than that, a good bike for getting around campus would be a good gift.

 

[returningfire]

Not me.

 

[jim243]

Gifting a firearm??? Not a good idea for many, many reasons.

1st - If something should happen to your friend because of the gift, you will never forgive yourself.

2nd - Not everyone's tastes are the same, due to style, fit, ergonomics, calibers, size there are thousands of guns to chose from. What suits your taste may not be what your fiend likes.

3rd - Legality of ownership. Is this a straw purchase, maybe not but transfer of ownership might present problems for the giftee. State and local laws might require special conditions on the capacity or function of firearms where your friend resides.

4th - Suitablity of use. Your friend might already have a firearm picked out that he or she thinks they need, but can't afford. The giving of a Gift Card for the purchase price you can afford, will put them that much closer or over the top for what they really want or need.

The best use of common sense is using common sense and giving your friend their choice for this present and gift.
Jim

 

[skoro]

I've given guns as gifts, but only to family members. Son, daughter, nephew, sister-in-law, step son

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Yes. I have been reluctant to gift a long gun to my parents because I haven't yet looked into all the legalities of it. The gun would certainly be legal to own/use in my state and in their state, but I am uncomfortable exchanging ownership of a firearm (long-gun) across state lines. I am not yet in the financial position to buy what I want to get them yet, so I haven't done my legal research.

 

[Bobson]

Not at all. I wish people would gift me all my guns so I wouldn't have to buy 'em myself

That said, I have friends and family to whom I would NOT give a gun.

I think that's a given. The family part at least. I trust all my friends.

 

[BSA1]

jim243,

Lighten up. Your fears don't apply to everybody.

Gifting of firearms is legal and been covered in depth many times on THR. It is a long tradition in America.

 

[CWL]

It's not the right gift for everyone, but I have no problems giving firearms to those I care for and trust will be a responsible owner.

 

[jim243]

It is a long tradition in America.

For father to son, or grand father to grand child, uncle to nephew or child to parent or brother to brother, yes. But I don't need to lighten up when it comes to giving a potentially dangerous gift to someone I am not related to.

Do what you want, I will do what I want.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Sam1911]

In some specific instances, yes. In general, maybe. In some specific instances, no.

 

[GBExpat]

Has anybody been reluctant to give a gun as a gift?

No ... o'course, the only people to whom I would consider gifting a firearm would be a family member (including those I consider to be extended family) or a Friend.

Also, I wouldn't consider doing it blind, I would first require some discussion with them (or their parents in the case of youngsters) and/or a prior indication from them regarding their interest in such a firearm.

All of the people that fall into those categories were raised with firearms, btw.

 

[DeepSouth]

Has anybody been reluctant to give a gun as a gift?

Yes......but only because of finances, and the wife's reaction.

 

[MtnCreek]

It is a long tradition in America

Agreed. When times were better it was a common gift for customers. I'm also grateful that I have some good subs.

 

[FROGO207]

As long as you know the person well enough then I see no problem with the act. Now I have a hard time with attachment to ANY firearm I own. A gift for somebody, well Yea sure ----soon as I can emotionally part with it.

 

[mooosie]

Problem is I don't have any guns I want to give away and if I buy one I am going to keep it that being said I give guns to my son for birthdays and Christmas since I am cheap and he is going to get them all when I die anyway

 

[Snejdarek]

I live in a country where you need a license also for possession. Even though the license is shall issue and getting it is no more difficult than getting a driving license, the general feeling of safety and low crime rates mean that there are relatively few license holders (300.000 for 10,5 mil population). So, any reluctance is connected to the fact that none of my close friends or family members have the license.

That being said, both my GF and my sister are planning to get their licenses in next couple of months. I am also planning to get a new range gun for myself for Christmas. That means buying two carry guns (they both want a subcompact revolver) and a range gun at about the same time. Well, that brings some budgetary reluctance

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I'd rather recieve...

If it is better to give than recieve, then I am just being unselfish by letter others give... that's the way I look at it

 

[AlexanderA]

I would not give a gun as a gift. Nor would I lend one. Nor would I even let someone shoot one of my guns with me standing right there. (This is because of unfortunate experience in the past.)

 

[hso]

Like any other gift, it depends on the person it might go to.

Will they enjoy it? Can they handle it safely? Will they keep it long term or get readily bored with it and get rid of it?

If the answers are Yes, Yes, Yes/no, then I would give a gun as a gift (just like a chainsaw or power tools or camp stove).