Need some advice

[devildog32713]

Here's my problem, I have been a gun enthusiast since I was little, I am turning 15 in the next few weeks. The rest of my siblings are really sensitive, inside kids, who hang out on the computer all the time. I am a good bit different, have wanted to hunt since I was little, I was so desperate to hunt, I eventually got close enough to a squirrel to chuck a rock at it, and kill it, and attempt to skin it and ate some of it. I got my first gun this past summer, I bought a used Mossberg Tactical shotgun, which I am in the process of converting to a multi-purpose hunting gun (ported barrel with mod choke, magazine plug). It took me forever on end to get that gun!! My Mom is like her Mom, the bible study ladies that shrivel up at the sight/hearing of guns, so she is against them because of accidents she hears, Claiming I will shoot myself, etc. I recently got permission to hunt small game at cousins farm, whatever I want on grandfather's land, well I got the oppourtunity last fall to hunt cousins farm, great time, with me and my cousin each eating a squirrel we each shot and under instruction skinned with Grandpa. My Dad never was a gun person, has a single shot .22, single shot .410 that he never shoots, never cleans (I shoot and clean them both, because I enjoy everything to do with firearms). He didn't really care one way or the other, but wants to please Mom, but eventually let me. I have since then worked and earned some money, and want to buy a Mosin-Nagant, practice with my Grandfather and Uncle (only two in family that really appreciate guns) and hopefully this fall/winter hunt deer. I have permission to hunt whatever I want to (in season of course) on Grandfather's land, just don't have a practical deer gun. (Smoothbore slugs are only accurate out to about 50 yards in my gun, they don't offer rifled barrels for my shotgun) After that, I want to buy a handgun for target shooting. I convinced my Dad to go to a gunshow with me recently, and found a beautiful Mosin, all decked out with matching numbers, good stock, cosmoline already cleaned out, etc. for a good price, and Dad said he didnt think it was a good purchase. (I believe he is just trying to please Mom, she doesn't want me to have another gun, she doesn't want me to have a gun at all) And I take all this flak from Grandma (other side of family than grandpa who likes guns) about how I'm way to young to have a gun, (It does have a cable lock, and is stored unloaded, breech open) and how I'm so immature and irresponsible to have a gun. and I despise being around her, the biggest problem is they are all misifformed, Considering my Mom has never shot a gun. Well I got a second oponion so to speak on my "immatureness" from my Grandpa, and he says "You are one of the finest, most responsible teenagers I am of privilege to know. Recently, someone my little bro knew, older brother's cousin had a hunting accident, and it was nasty, lost a lot of blood, my Mom found about this just as I was literally packing my stuff to go to Cousin's to hunt. Upon some investigation, the guy who got shot was looking down the barrel after a mis fire or something, and he accidently bumped trigger, shot himself in face. I tried to explain that this accident was bad, but it occured because of serious lack of judgement/common sense.

What I am requesting is a method to explain to parents about guns, and show them that I can be very safe with guns/hunting, and they aren't that bad and there is nothing to worry about. Firearms, hunting, and a little bit of fishing, those are my passions, taking my mind every waking minute, it's not just another thing to me, and my parent's just do not seem to understand that. Somebody Help!!

 

[kda]

I wonder if you were to enroll in a Gun Safety Course ... I think NRA offers some. At least they would know you had been given the basic skills and training to "be safe". Maybe your high school coaches or counselor would know of something ... or even an inquiry or phone call to your local gun shops.

If you were near Tucson, I'd recommend you take your folks to the indoor pistol range on "ladies day" when they were sure to see a wide variety of men and women (even a fair number of older white haired widows) honing handgun skills. That might help dispel any images they have that guns are for thugs or criminals only.

Good luck with what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[Leafy Cronmer]

My father and I enjoy collecting, shooting, and cleaning our guns. My mother on the other hand is not fond of them. She would prefer we not have them but does not keep us from enjoying our hobby. On that note her mood did change when her and I took a gun safety class together. After the class she had a better understanding of guns in general and understood that I am very safe when doing anything involving firearms. If you can I would suggest giving this a try.

 

[figment]

First: respect your parents even if you disagree with them. Dad has to put your Mom first.

Once you are on your own, you can do as you wish and thats not too far off.

 

[ronto]

"Honor thy father and mother"...and you'll never regret following the other 9 either.

 

[jakemccoy]

I'm going to sound like a dick here, but I have to say that I'm clicking away from this thread because of the super long, uber paragraph in the original post. Don't get too mad at me. I'm sure I'm not the only one. So, you're missing out on some viewers who may have useful input.

 

[bikerdoc]

??? Enlist uncle and grandpa to help you with mom?

Just a thought

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

and be grateful you have at least to make kin to help you. i come from multiple generations of antis. i sought out and found some great mentors after i left home and one of the things i like most about shooting is the way you can get help and guidance

 

[devildog32713]

Thanks KDA, that sounds like a good idea, I learned a lot of safety from Hunter's Ed, it should be called "Firearm Ed" because that's practically what it is.

 

[Grassman]

All you can do is plead your case, and respect their judgment. When your 18 make your own decisions.

 

[hso]

Enlist Granpa in your effort.

Will he take you hunting, not allow you to hunt on his land, but actually take you hunting. Teach you like he taught your uncle?

Find out what Hunter Safety courses are available and take them. Then find out what NRA hunting courses are available and take those.

Recite all the dangers and explain all the ways to mitigate them.

Then hope they allow you to take all this knowledge and spend the time with your Grandfather learning to hunt.

If they don't permit it, simply follow their wishes, but don't give up. Continue to take available courses and continue to spend time with your Grandfather. When they finally agree you'll have practiced everything but the shooting of the animal and you'll be more ready than half the guys out there.

 

[danez71]

Devildog,

My only child is an almost 21 yr old daughter I adopted when she was almost 5. Point is, I'm not a genius at this stuff .

A lot of good advice here. I'll add...hang out as much as you can with the open minded relatives. The more you're with them... the more mom and grandma will feel comfortable that you are "safe".

Thats a huge thing to a parent.

I'll also add, if my daughter showed me something like your post, whether it was shooting or sky diving, I'd feel like a Jack Hole for not supporting her in something that is no more dangerous, and probably less dangerous, than driving a car. (she has a mild interest in guns)

In fact, I would feel more at ease if she went hunting or just plinking with friends than if she was out driving around. There is a lot more other careless drivers than careless hunters/shooters.

Do they plan on letting you drive a car?


One last thing... if you were even thinking for a second..... remember, I have a much bigger interest in guns than my daughter

good luck. youre 15 and you have your whole life in front of you. be patient.

 

[ccsniper]

"Honor thy father and mother"...and you'll never regret following the other 9 either.

+1 My whole family are gun nuts, so it kinda was thrust upon me at an early age. But you should listen to your parents, even if you disagree. If you can't be trusted to listen to your parents, why would listening to anyone else be any different. Slowly bring your parents into it, don't try to thrust them into it. Get them to watch a show with you like Personal defense tv and Guns and ammo tv. And demonstrate proper and safe handling in front of them.

I'm going to sound like a dick here, but I have to say that I'm clicking away from this thread because of the super long, uber paragraph in the original post. Don't get too mad at me. I'm sure I'm not the only one. So, you're missing out on some viewers who may have useful input.

+1... My eyes began to hurt just reading it.

 

[twofifty]

A firearms handling and safety class is No. 1 priority.
2nd priority is a composition and grammar refresher.
Welcome aboard.

 

[jnyork]

Respect for your parents wishes now will pay big dividends later. Playing by the rules with a smile on your face even if you dont like the rules is one mark of being a grownup. If they see you being responsible and acting grownup, they will soon start treating you like you are growing up.

Please enroll in an English Composition class as soon as possible.

 

[Tim the student]

I also just skimmed it because it was hard to read, but I think I have the gist of it.

I think your best bet is to obey your parents, love the fact that your Grandma is alive (she won't be one day, and you will miss her greatly), educate those that don't want you to have guns, and be as responsible as you can to help change their minds about you.

Good luck, and if that fails, you will be 18 soon, and responsible for your own decisions as long as you are living on your own.

 

[Gouranga]

Like others here. plead your case, hope they listen.

One thing, maybe take them to a local range. Show them how to shoot, more importantly, let them watch you. Let them take notice of how seriously you take gun safety and while you may be a wild and crazy guy elsewhere, when it comes to guns, you do not fool around.

If all that fails. I am sorry, it sucks but your parents are your parents. You won't be young forever, sooner than you think you will be out of their house, paying for your own roof and doing what you want. You probably hear that a lot (like I did) and are sick to death of hearing it but it is true.

 

[devildog32713]

Please enroll in an English Composition class as soon as possible.

Yadayada, I just started this semester, and I was in a hurry...

Do they plan on letting you drive a car?

Actually, my Grandfather taught me to drive his pickup when I was 11, have been driving on private roads/trails since then, getting lessons from my Dad (big car nut) and am supposedly getting my permit the first business day at the DMV after my Birthday. My Mother was horrified when she learned I was learning to drive. But after slowly (just recently in the past 4 years) she let me drive her around empty parking lots and stuff, and she trusts me a lot more. I think I'll have to use the same tactic with guns/hunting as I did with driving. Thanks for all the input,

 

[hammerklavier]

Sounds like your parents are already letting you do plenty with guns. Just think how lucky you are compared to other kids whose parents don't like guns.

If you can't buy the Mosin, then practice with slugs and don't take any shots past where you can hit. A good hunter makes do with what he's got.

You sound like a very responsible young man, and you're very lucky to have the parents, uncle, cousin, and grandfather you do.

You might have to wait on that handgun until you turn 21, meantime, try to find someone who will let you shoot theirs.

 

[wishin]

Your ramble seems to indicate that you're a reasonably smart 15 year old and that's further evidenced by your willingless to ask for advice. Use that intelligence to read extensively on the pros and cons of gun ownership, getting multiple viewpoint from both sides. Armed with that knowledge, you can counter all of their misgivings and hopefully change their thinking. Good luck.

 

[cornman]

You are already allowed to do the things you like at the farm. Why do you need to have your parents understand? One thing you need to understand in life is that there are MANY things that people will not understand. That is the case for no matter what side of the fence you stand on. It does not matter what other people think.

 

[TX1911fan]

Sounds like your mom is way too overprotective. Is there something in her life that has caused her to be this way? Lack of responsibility on your part, another accident, loss of a child or sibling? Or is she just that way? If the former, you have a long road to walk to get her over her fears. If the later, you'll have to wait till you move out, there is probably no changing her. I know it seems like a long time, but 3 years just isn't. Guns aren't worth fighting over and making your, and your mom's, life miserable for the next three years. When you are teenager it seems like you will be one forever, but you won't, and if you keep pushing this, you'll damage the relationship for a lifetime. I didn't start shooting until I was 35, but it hasn't hurt me too much.

 

[TCB in TN]

I am with cornman here. If your Grandfather is the gun guy in the family, work with him to buy what you want, and leave it with him to use at his farm till you reach the age where you can do more as you like. Then work it out to spend more time over there. I was lucky growing up that my parents allowed me to follow my interests (guns and motor cycles) as long as I was safe and respectful. Let them know of your interest, do the best you can to get more training/safety classes (to show you have a mature interest), but stay away from discussions that are a real conflict with your parents.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Listen to your parents..... They know more that you think. Work something out with Grandpa, in full view of your parents.

 

[WhoMe?]

Most moms I know would love to be more involved in their 15 year old's life. Try to get her to take a course with you. Start out with "Hey Mom, we don't do enough together. This is something I'm really excited about, will you go with me?" Who knows, she may end up liking it. If not, you still got to spend some quality time with her and you showed her the other side of firearms. Even if she says no, it shows a great deal of maturity and concern for her opinions and feelings. In the end we can't always change our parents, but you are lucky to have what sounds like very good parents. Please respect their wishes and don't ruin a good thing. Best of Luck.