Teaching The Young

[DonNikmare]

A Security Officer, Nathan, at work told me this story a few months back around the time I bought my first firearm. It’s a story I often recall whenever I handle or shoot firearms and will one day share with my own children.


When Nathan was about 7 or 8, his father decided to introduce him to the safe ownership and use of firearms.

Nathan's father took a long time to explain the basic safety rules and the function of firearms he owned. He was as serious and as stern as Nathan had ever remembered him being. Nathan listened intently. He then let Nathan hold and handle a handgun making sure Nathan remembered to check if the gun was unloaded for himself.

Nathan slowly touched the heavy cold steal for the first time in his life. The heaviness and solid feel of the gun surprised him. He could smell the oil and feel its light residue across the metal.

Nathan only broke his concentration to make a quick assessment of the his father’s facial expression - he needed assurance he was doing things right. Nathan found a comforting affirmation in the slight grin and what seemed like pride on his father’s face.

Nathan had held the gun for what seemed like minutes to him when he heard his father call his name:
“Nathanâ€
“Yes, Dad†- he responded.
“Nathan, what comes out of the barrel of a gun?â€
“A bullet Dadâ€- Nathan was so proud and sure of the correctness of his answer that he almost smiled as he gave it. He then looked at his Father but found no smile or pride.

The somber seriousness Nathan saw on his father’s face seemed to extend out and permeate the air in the whole room. He looked Nathan straight in the eyes and slowly said:

“No son. It’s death. That’s what comes out of the barrel of a gun.â€

These were words Nathan would never forget and neither will I.

Nik

 

[P95Carry]

Don .. nice story .. I do tho have one reservation ....

“No son. It’s death. That’s what comes out of the barrel of a gun.â€

This is rather like the ''guns kill people'' ..... to be precise indeed, it is a bullet that exits the barrel .... and only (IMO) equates with POTENTIAL for death.

Not trying to be pedantic but ... entirely dependant on where the muzzle is pointed ... is the outcome of said bullet's death-dealing potential.

From a sefety POV alone ... sure, it is worth remembering that what comes out the barrel CAN kill .... but that is not of itself a de facto result. Sure might make someone follow the four rules that bit better tho .. agreed there.

 

[Mulliga]

Good story, but I have to agree with P95Carry.

No son. It’s death. That’s what comes out of the barrel of a gun.â€

This is certainly correct. It's good advice that echoes the first rule of safety "EVERY gun is ALWAYS loaded."

But it is like saying death comes in a kitchen knife rack or death comes from a car - there are very dangerous things in the world, but you either master them or go through life never driving a car or cutting vegetables.

Still, kids need to be taught with shock. Very few youths will ever comprehend the destructive capability of a tiny piece of lead going 800 mph - it's up to parents to teach them.

 

[DonNikmare]

P95Carry,
I do see the point of your reservation and agree with it.

might make someone follow the four rules that bit better

I think that's what Nathan's Dad was going for. It makes me hit my mental 'refresh' button n be more carefull to follow the rules too.

Nik

 

[El Tejon]

Guns generate destruction and violence. That point needs to be pounded in every new shooter. We will have fewer morons, cowboys and Yeehawists when this message is received.

Good for Nathan's father!

 

[Brian Dale]

P95Carry and Mulliga, I admire you two, but I don't agree.

It's death. It isn't wrong; it's just very, very serious. Nathan's dad judged that young Nathan would be able to hear and understand the core of the matter. That Nathan shared the memory with a co-worker so many years later shows that he was indeed able to grasp the lesson and to act accordingly. That appropriate behavior included passing it on to you, Don, and well done. Thank you for sharing it here.

 

[45King]

I think I would have said, "It's POTENTIAL death." I would then have gone on to impress upon him how safe handling of firearms can lead to fun and enjoyment; unsafe handling of firearms can lead to a fatal or crippling accident in a mere fraction of a second.

 

[hilljack22]

I just got back from a Hunter's Education Course in Indiana (I have to take it to get an out of state hunting license). The class is geared toward children (10-18 yrs old) and taught very good safe gun handling techniques. But it was made known that guns are very dangerous if handled inproperly and that the main purpose of a gun was to kill (animals in this case).


All in all, a pretty good class.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Went to an indoor range yesterday near Travis AFB and was struggling with my cheapie revolver (see the revolver forum to read about my follies). Anyway, there was a father two lanes down teaching his kid (must have been 11-12). He was giving good, clear instructions to his son about safety and marksmanship and when they were shooting, coaching instructions. I was tempted to congratulate him on a good competent job of teaching he was doing.