Parents - do your kids own guns?

[12gaugeTim]

If so, what type of firearm is it and how old is the child/teenager (under 18 or experiences regarding an individual that at the time was under 18)? I'm 16, I hunt, and I have the tools for the job. They aren't my dad's; I will own them when I turn 18. I shoot on a regular basis and am responsible in my handling. But what I want to know is, do you let your children own firearms? Shoot while not under supervision? Request or fund new purchases?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I was given a single shot 410 at 7 and I got a 12 gauge for my 16th. I bought my first Marlin 60 at age 18.

 

[Adamsstreet]

I bought my son a Ruger Charger for his 8th birthday. He had already mastered the BB gun from last year.

 

[12gaugeTim]

Almost matches my story to a T except I think I got my .410 at 8. It was my first. Maybe I'll buy a Marlin at 18 too, ha

 

[Josh45]

While Im not a parent myself,

I did get my brother who is 13, A .22 LR rifle.
My other brother wanted a BB Rifle so he got that.

They both only shoot while supervised by me, other brother who is 20 or by father. Yes, We let them USE them while at the range and such but not actually OWN it until they are of age. Even if the gun was bought for them.

Yes, They request new purchases sometimes and we will do it if the funds allow at the time.

 

[12gaugeTim]

What if the minor in question provided half or even all of the money needed to make a new purchase?

 

[Bovice]

What if the minor in question provided half or even all of the money needed to make a new purchase?

You are walking a very thin line. That's a straw purchase, which is highly illegal.

The only legal way to do it is to buy it for them as a gift, and allow SUPERVISED use until they are 18.

 

[Bobson]

Until age 18 is reached, none of children will ever "own" anything - firearms or otherwise.

There will be specific firearms bought specifically for my kids' use; and there absolutely will be firearms gifted at age 18; but I'll make it very clear to my kids that they own nothing - including the clothes on their backs - whether they buy it with their own earned money, or I buy it for them.

My parents (who were far more lenient than most other parents I knew growing up) did this with me and my siblings, and I think it worked very well. It helps a developing child/teen understand his role in the household, and the level of respect he needs to display flows naturally (when combined with other parenting applications, of course).

 

[Bovice]

Yikes. That's harsh. I was taught as a kid that if I worked for and earned something, it was mine. I was given things too, but even those given things were mine. I was taught that I should take care of the things that are mine, because it's good to have nice things and I should keep them that way.

 

[12gaugeTim]

Under my state law even purchases that I make with my own money are not in my possession and can be confiscated at any time by my parents, who will forever legally own literally everything I see as in my possession currently. However my parents are not the kind to suddenly yank thousands of dollars worth of firearms and the like out from under my feet just because they legally can. When I say it's mine I mean I clean it, I shoot it, and I grant permission for others to shoot it in rare circumstances. Does that make it mine? Legally, still no.

 

[Bovice]

Under my state law even purchases that I make with my own money are not in my possession and can be confiscated at any time by my parents, who will forever legally own literally everything I see as in my possession currently.

The law says a lot of things, that doesn't mean it's always the right thing to do. I should hope that there aren't parents out there who are power-tripping on their kids, citing law, and taking away their stuff for fun. What kind of message does that send?

 

[Bobson]

Under my state law even purchases that I make with my own money are not in my possession and can be confiscated at any time by my parents, who will forever legally own literally everything I see as in my possession currently. However my parents are not the kind to suddenly yank thousands of dollars worth of firearms and the like out from under my feet just because they legally can.

IMO, that's something every minor should fully understand. I'm not saying I think it's okay for a parent to unjustly punish his kids by denying the use of certain items at will. But when punishments are necessary, denial of certain privileges the child has come to enjoy can be effective (though may not always be) - and it's very hard to do so if the child believes he owns certain things.

 

[303tom]

Only one of my four boys is interested in hunting/shooting & yes he owns several firearms. The other three don`t care one way or the other, I don`t think they are related to me. LOL

 

[Bovice]

But when punishments are necessary, denial of certain privileges the child has come to enjoy can be effective (though may not always be) - and it's very hard to do so if the child believes he owns certain things.

Punishment is one thing, but holding it over their head constantly is not a good idea. Remember who will most likely be handling your end-of-life care! It's your kids. Torment them and they'll remember it forever.

back on topic.

No, you can not legally take money from a minor to buy a gun for that minor. As far as "giving" them guns as a gift to teach them how to use and maintain a gun, I think that is a great idea. They'll have to be supervised, but it's a good way to teach them to be responsible and take care of their things. By making them believe that they have NOTHING and it isn't theirs by any stretch of the imagination, why should they care? You can threaten them with disciplinary action (whatever that may be), but giving them a sense of ownership gives a sense of pride, and they'll learn to be responsible and take care of stuff. Same thing with cars.

I would only be inclined to invoke the "you own nothing" mantra if after trying to instill a sense of ownership, they were not taking direction and doing as they should.

 

[12gaugeTim]

Not just denying the use of - completely confiscating even after the individual in question is over 18 years of age. There was a big lawsuit about it in my state, the mom won. But back on topic, should responsible minors be allowed to "own" a gun?
Edit: Bovice's most recent post hit the nail on the head as far as ownership goes.

 

[Serenity]

Our 38 special is my son's gun. He saw it and fell in love with it at the gun store and it was our first gun purchase. I own it legally, of course, but I have my OWN gun when we go to the range. We cross train but when we get home we clean our own guns. It is understood that possession will turn over to him at some point but I doubt it will be at 18; it just depends on if he's ready or not, and what his living circumstances are (living in dorm, with irresponsible roommates, whatever). And yep, I decide when he's ready.

Shooting isn't something that is with held as punishment at our house; it's exempt, like visiting Grandma.

 

[snakeman]

well mine's 3 so it'll have to wait till next year

 

[seelawyer]

Not withstanding the debate of a minor's "legal ownership," my oldest son "owns" a Glock 45 (not a fan of the plastic and couldn't tell you more, though I am coming around) and an AR-15. My middle son "owns" a 20 gauge and a 30-30, and wants a first generation SIG P220. My youngest son is 2 and "owns" a couple of orange plastic relvolvers and is required to treat them as functional firearms based upon his comprehension at his age.

My sons "own" their weapons though most were acquired by the auspices of my good fortune and desire for their happiness. And are theirs PROVIDED they abide the rules of safety which is the singular requirement of ownership in my household. I have never had reason to ever revoke, or even threaten to revoke, a weapon, as they each must show mastery of all safety rules before my charity sees fit to bestow upon them a weapon.

Other disciplinary issues are handled within the scope of the rule broken. Punishments, such as "grounding," deprive them of time to use the weapons, but "ownership" of the weapon never comes into issue. Breaches of firearm safety, however, are simply not tolerated and should one occur, swift and immediate revocation is the applicable punishment. Since they believe me to be a man of my word with respect to safety, I have, as yet, to invoke the penalty.

I support responsible "ownership" of firearms for my children without regard to the legal age of "majority," for many of the reasons stated by Bovice.

 

[shiftyer1]

My son is 15, he'll be 16 on jan 10th. He's had a .22 rifle since age 12, it is the one my dad bought me, also a .410 the same year and at 13 he got a 22 revolver. If he saved up enough $$$ and I thought it was a good idea I would buy him whatever gun he wanted. I don't care what the law says. Keep in mind behavior and responsibility has alot to do with this.

I also reserve the right to take away any item or priviledge I see fit to accomplish my goal which is to raise a responsible, trustworthy, and respectable young man.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

My parents allow me to possess a Rem. 740 in 30-06, and a CZ452 in .22lr. I would like to make another purchase, but I am unsure how that would go over

And yes, it is understood that both rifles will leave with me.

 

[hermannr]

When I was 12 my dad bought me a Marlin SS 22, then when I showed responsibility with the ss (and physically grew a bit) I got a Marlin 80 which I still have now well over 50 years later.

I took my own money and purchased a Reminton 700 (no dad was not with me) at age 16..(this was all well before the GCA68). I purchased a Ruger Bearcat a couple years later, then in 1967 my FIL gave me a Colt 38. (still have)

Life was different then...

 

[gamestalker]

I started hunting with a pellet gun when I was 7 or 8 yrs. old and began hunting with a 22 when I was around 10 or 11 yrs. old. My parents weren't gun owners, or had ever even shot a gun. My Dad was more or less an anti and associated guns with violence, so he knew nothing of my huntng. My Mom knew and allowed me to sneek out early mornings and managed to keep it secret from Dad. As it turned out, my Sister was the only other one in my family to own and in fact carry, which is a story for another time.

My children were raised with guns. I had them pulling the trigger as young as 2 yrs. old and bought my children (5 boys,1 girl) their first gun at around age 6.

 

[jonn5335]

I was bought a 30/30 and 22lr by my father who was not a hunter/shooter when I was 13 I still own them and would never sell them and purchased several other firearms before I turned 18

 

[garyr]

My children have their own firearms. They stay in my safe under lock and key until we go to the range or go hunting.

12 yo: Sears and Robuck Model 41

9 yo: Rossi Interarms Model 62 SAC and CVA Scout in .243 (hunting)

 

[USAF_Vet]

I've gotten each of my step kids a bb gun.

My step son has taken to shooting more, so he has his own .410 single shot. I'm looking to get him either inserts to fire .22s or an actual .22 rifle next year.

The guns are all locked up, only handed out under supervision. They can request all they want, but at ages 8 and 10, their priorities aren't leaning toward guns as much as mine. They can fund their own purchases as long as the purchases are approved by their mother and me.