Kids And Guns

[longdayjake]

video

Here is a little video I just made to illustrate my son's interest in guns. Even after I pointed it out to him he was more interested in other things. Watching the video, I can see I need to clean the living room. Kids are messy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQat5bUxdI8

 

[22-rimfire]

Good video. Maybe the gun was just too big? Clearly he likes his toys better!

 

[V1K1NG0]

Nothing wrong with exposing them to firearms. Like others stated watch out for the chemicals. I have three boys under 5 and I have slowly been teaching them as you. I started off with a shotgun. I do not let them touch it until they have been to the range to see what it can do, what it sounds like etc. My oldest has an understanding of it and respects it that much more I think. Just remember that every child is different and they mature at different rates. Like others have said, you are the best judge. I have the four rules posted in their room along with the colors and ABC's. Best Wishes

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

As already stated, I would be concerned about the chemicals. Then again, you don't use chemicals around him, so you are good on that.

As for him being around guns, go for it. The sooner you teach them about guns, the better. I started my son out with a .22 Henry Mini-Bolt right after he turned two years old. At first, I would hold it in front of the trigger guard and point it towards the target and he would "aim" it and pull the trigger.

When he got a little bigger, I built a small shooting table for him to shoot off of bags. He will be six this fall. He has gotten quite good with the .22 and .17 HMR in both handguns and rifles. He has been working with a .243 for a couple of months now.

Lots of people have questioned me for starting him out so young, but I would do it again. I can say that he is a lot safer than a lot of adults that I know/have seen shooting. I got him before he had any outside influence from T.V., Hollywood, or friends so he had no bad habits to break. The only down side is that as much as he likes to shoot, it can get expensive sometimes, but that is ok.

Also, I should add that we shoot at home. I don't know how it would go over with a two year old at a public range.

 

[scrat]

Way too young. it maybe cute to have them hold one and take a picture and say ahhhhh. However in reality i would not do it. At around age 6 depending on the maturity of the child i let my sons start to do things with me and my guns. Usually on reloading, pulling the handle or some small cleaning that i usually had to redo. but it wasnt until they were 7-8 before i even took them to a range. but thats different for everyone. i dont want my kids to grow up thinking only guns. i want them to grow up thinking they need to get an education.

 

[akodo]

I am glad to hear that there are no nasty chemicals.

I'd still say always stress 'never touch a gun except when daddy says okay' repeat that mantra every 20 seconds.

i'd also give him an old toothbrush or something to hold that way he is 'helping'

just watched your video. Today he carries around a spoon as a toy, and shows no interst in the rifle. Tomorrow he may care nothing about the spoon, and all of a sudden is dragging the gun around

 

[longdayjake]

Tomorrow he may care nothing about the spoon, and all of a sudden is dragging the gun around

That may be true, but for now he cares nothing about the gun. In fact the only time he ever wants to touch one is when I am messing with them. Why? because he hasn't yet figured out what they do. He knows what a spoon can do. It can feed you, it can dig in the dirt, and it can put a big lump on dad's head while he is trying to sleep. Once he figures out what they do he will probably be more interested in them, but for now I don't worry too much about him trying to get them and play with them. I do keep them in a safe place however.

 

[bobbarker]

actually, my wife and I had a LONG conversation about this tonight, thanks to your thread. We don't have any kids yet, but we decided that for us personally, we feel it's a bit young to be handling guns, and think that 4-5 is when we'll start letting our children handle unloaded guns, simply because we feel that much younger than that, it's impossible to explain to them that It's okay to play with when Dad is here, but if you ever find it and Dad isn't here, it's not okay, and we'd rather wait until you can say that and have them understand, it's not okay to touch a gun without Dad being here, and saying it's okay. So, personally, I feel it's a bit young, but if it works for you, no complaints there. Whatever keeps YOUR family safe is the best decision.

 

[longdayjake]

Update

I wanted to revive this post to let you all know of how kids change quickly. Well, my son is now a little more than 20 months old and he knows what guns do. I now have to keep them away from him because he seems to have the same fascination with them that I do. He will sit next to the rifles and make "boom" sounds. About a month ago he saw my dad and I try out my cousin's .357 mag while my wife held her hands over his ears. Ever since then every gun he sees is like a magnet to him. He really prefers handguns though because he can pick them up. It has been kind of sad for me because he is still too young to understand any kind of teaching about them so I just have to keep them away from him. The other day I had locked my 1911 in the safe after hunting but I left a loaded mag on the couch. When I came back into the room he was pretending to shoot my wife with the mag. I don't really feel comfortable having any kind of a home defense weapon any more because of the "what if factor." So, how am I supposed to protect my family now? Any suggestions?

 

[gidaeon]

defanging the snake as they grow

I have a 3 1/2yo and a 17 month old. The older knows she must ask daddy before touching anything (when not they're not locked up and thus out for cleaning). The younger does not see or touch know of ect., Post cleaning opportunities allow her to revisit a few of the basic 4 rules in young child form as she interests (I've not tried to force any such info on a disinterested 3yo). She must ask before touching anything firearms related and does so right down to the toolboxes and various supplies within when I have it out. I have allowed her to hold something after she appropriately asks, with no magazines and actions open and a repeated reminder not to touch triggers and to point at a deemed safe direction (not people or herself), I guess the older folks call it "de-fanging the snake". Taking the mystery out of it. This seems to work well thus far, and is normal procedure for both of us. Firearms are treated like other devices and tools that are potentially dangerous and demand respect and help (garage stuff, tools, gas ovens, ect.,) Their unique personalities dictate what I will try and teach at what point as well. I will not\would not allow my young kids to handle a loaded mag, or even just rounds!!! Again, this child is the compliant very observant asks questions type about parts and names ect., My plan is to continue such that she may one day when is much, much older become a responsible owner\shooter. Until well after then things stay locked away and require my assistance\permission.

I then built her an oak rubber band gun and reinforced the same rules. She asks, and practices not touching trigger, knowing her target and beyond ect., Smart little girl. Very compliant have not had issues and we'll aim to stay consistent. She knows mommy and daddy follow safety rules and when she is older and wants to shoot she will have to do exactly the same. She does however have squirt guns that are treated as simple toys in the yard and says "they're toys, but dad's are not".

Regarding HD situation: with little ones I think its just gotta be locked up. I have kept a loaded mag or weapon in a separate locked and secured case. Yes, that's a pain, slower and inconvenient but its necessary. For handguns you may look into some of those real quick access mini safes to keep by a bed, some have small profile to even fit inside a night stand drawer.

 

[BHP FAN]

Yep,loaded mag,separate from gun locked/safed weapon.I can get my little PA-63 into action in about three seconds.My front door will hold that long,and if it didn't... my machete is ALWAYS loaded.

 

[rfurtkamp]

Clearly the kid needs something with a shorter barrel and stock, or maybe a hard mount on the chair.

I love kids and guns, and I wouldn't necessarily list a set age for when a particular child starts being trusted to use them under supervision - I've trained 8 year olds (minimum for the 4h program) who I'd trust with a loaded handgun more than most adults I've met. I helped watch the range while a friend taught his 5 year old grandson to safely operate his BB gun and a .22 rifle. I've asked families with 14 year olds to leave the range until the kids are controlled too.

It varies, and well, you're the parent.

Just make sure he's got an AR of his own waiting for him or he'll get jealous!

 

[Vermont]

What happened to Rule #1?

You wouldn't let your 18 mo. old play with a loaded gun, so why would you let your son play with a gun that you think is unloaded???


I don't think it is too early to introduce him to firearms, but I wouldn't let him hold a firearm alone and certainly wouldn't let him "play" with it unless it was disabled by removing the firing pin or something.



EDIT: sorry, I didn't your new post with the HD question.

 

[DeathByCactus]

1) Chemicals are bad for him
2) His body absorbs chemicals more than us
3) Weapons are not toys, there is no play
4) He shouldn't be playing with it, he should have to wait until he is able to understand the safety protocols of the weapon before he is allowed to touch it.
5) Sooooo.... I would keep them away from him.

Just my opinion though. Cute kid btw

 

[RKBABob]

He is YOUR kid, so its ultimately your call.

I'd be a little cautious, though. He's not old enough to understand what these shiny objects are yet. Also, he could be developing the idea that these are playthings... and you'll have to break him of that idea when he's older.

Then there is the lead and chemical issue.

Someone else said it, but get him a toy gun that he can clean while you clean the real ones.... but maybe when he's a bit older still.