Teenagers and handguns

[Gizards'n'Gravy]

Hello everyone, I have been wondering about this for a while now and I would like to get some opinions on this issue. So, teenagers and handguns, do you trust your son or daughter alone with a handgun?

Say for example a father worked nights, and the mother adamently refused to have anything to do with guns. Your teenager, say 14-17, was the only one there who knows guns. This teenager is absolutely reliable and trustworthy NOT do do something stupid with this handgun and is rock-solid when it comes to gun safety. Would you allow your child to have un-restricted access to his/her bedside gun while you were away?

 

[Telekinesis]

Haha when I was 18 I had 3 handguns and 2 CCW permits, so I guess I'm a little biased... But I would say that as long as you're responsible you should be allowed to have a gun. The law doesn't always agree with that as far as minors go, but in my opinion, once someone is 18, they should be able to purchase, own, and carry any gun they like (to include NFA weapons).

As far as "protection of the castle" falling to you, I'm pretty sure your mom would have something to say about that. Most mothers I know (even those who don't like guns) are very protective of their kids and don't like the idea of them being put in harms way, which is what you are essentially telling her by saying you're the first line of defense - that you are the first one to face any danger that happens to come into the house.

Edit: I see she is your step-mom, that probably changes some things, so my last paragraph may not completely apply.

 

[Robert]

I take it on a case by case, person by person basis. In my expereince many teenagers are far too immature to drive let alone handle a firearm. Course that could be said for many adults as well. So I make my judgments based on the young man or woman at hand.

 

[22-rimfire]

I never shot a handgun until I was 21. Dad didn't own any. I would not buy a pre-18 year old a handgun for any reason.

As far as handguns in the house, I support the concept of training and trust. Betray that trust and you do it with peril. Long guns are different. I had unrestricted access to rifles from about age 12 on, but we lived in the country and you could safely shoot in the back yard. It was mostly a money thing... we had to buy our own ammo.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I never shot a handgun until I was 21. Dad didn't own any. I would not buy a pre-18 year old a handgun for any reason.

All of my kids were shooting regularly at the ripe old age of 5. Handguns, rifles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, you name it. The traditional 8th birthday present for every one of my kids (5) has been the firearm of their choice. 2 of the boys picked handguns, the other 3 picked rifles. The 2 that picked handguns primarily hunt with handguns. They are also very proficient bow hunters as well. I personally believe that any child can be very responsible as long as they were taught that responsibility at a young age. As soon as mine were walking, they were learning how to shoot and shoot safely. They NEVER laid hands on ANY guns (even their own) without my express permission and supervision or their mothers. At 16-17, yep I would have complete faith in them and did have. I would also have expected them to act with complete confidence had someone broke into the home with one of them there. They all knew exactly where the loaded handguns were (every room, hidden).

4 of them are grown now with kids of their own and I have a "surprise" one to raise now. Another 8th BDay present coming Feb 27th. She already got one for her Xmas but I guess I have to spoil the little princess She loves her little Pink TC hotshot so much. But now she wants to experiment more with her own handgun. Probably getting another Sig P238 like her moms except it will "HAVE" to be the rainbow one (Damn kids)

 

[Shadow 7D]

depends on the kid
I had my very own personal gun at the age of 17
issued to me by Uncle Sam
cared for and fired by yours truly

REALLY depends on the kid
like others have mentioned, it's responsibility, and that tends to come from maturity.

 

[3KillerBs]

For several years I've felt better about my now-18yo daughter being home alone (or in charge of her younger brothers), knowing that she had access to the gun storage where she could, if need be, protect herself with any of our handguns that we might not have with us and her own .22 revolver.

Though not old enough to be a certified, NRA range officer she has taken the training course -- in conjunction with the youth air rifle team she used to shoot on.

 

[Swichblade]

I started shooting handguns at fifteen years old. I am now seventeen, and I just received my first handgun for Christmas . When I tell some people I shoot handguns, I sometimes get people who act like I am too young to handle a handgun, so I explain to them that I can safely operate a pistol.

 

[Gizards'n'Gravy]

Telekinesis, my mother carries a gun and think it is a great idea(not the idea of me being in danger). She would MUCH rather me be the one with a gun, and know that I am safe and competent, than have to worry that my safety would be left in the hands of my step-mom, who would likely get us both killed if there was ever a hostile situation in the home and it was left to her to use a firearm...it was actually her idea to uh, get herself a gun so I could use it.

22-rimfire, why would you not let a pre-18 year old have a handgun? If they show to be exceptionally safe and responsible, abd the situation called for it, then why not? they are no more dangerous than rifles or shotguns.

 

[Leathermarshmallow]

My dad bought me a Ruger Single Six when I was 14 years old. He knew he could trust me to be safe with it or any firearm. My oldest two children were raised with guns in the house and were taught at a young age to respect them and how to act with them. We had guns all over the house. Then I re-married. Her children had never been around firearms and were extremely curious. I went right out and bought a safe. I kept all of my firearms unloaded and locked up. As time has passed, and I have had the opportunity to teach them the way of the gun, I have gone back to having some available for emergency use. In fact, my oldest step son has purchased two rifles and a pistol of his own.

 

[Gizards'n'Gravy]

Swichblade I know exactly what you mean, I tend not to tell anyone but close friends that I have guns at all, but occasionally, if I tell an adult they tend to flip out maybe 40% of the time. I have been around men and women that have never even fired a weapon,much less have experience in being safe with one. Yet it never fails, they assume that because they are older that they are special and magicly know everything about how to operate a firearm safely. My dad's shooting buddies are one thing,they have experience and if they tell me something, I listen. My Algebra teacher who is honestly to old to be playing Halo is another...

 

[Noah]

I am 16, and my twin brother and I are the prime defenders of the household when our Dad is not home, which is often. We have earned the privilege (years of responsible use of .22s and 12 gauge with our Dad, years of responsible use of an air rifle or four before that) to keep "our" long guns in our room. Only ever used with supervision and permission, but we have a key due to the fact that we sleep downstairs near the back door, while he and his guns are upstairs... still think that's a bad idea? My cousin was raped and almost kidnapped when she was sleeping in the basement while her parents were home, upstairs. Not gonna be a victim!! I would give my life for my mom and little sister before that happened... We also know perfectly well how to access and use the handguns and shotgun in our parents' room.

We don't "have" any handguns, although I'd accept any as a gift haha, and I might "get" one eventually, shoot it a lot and keep it for SD, leave it at home when I leave, and pick it up at my 21st Birthday party... But probably not.

I feel that either of us have the mindset, skillset,and toolset to defend or home if we ever had to. My parents and myself are very happy with that when my Dad is away during the day, or we are home alone.

That said, I don't even really know any other teens that are into guns, but I wouldn't trust 95% of the other ones I have met with an airsoft gun. The only one I know is a 12 year old Boy Scout that we taught to shoot, and shoot with, every few weeks.

That said, we NEED to get my mother competent on the various firearms in the house.

 

[buck460XVR]

So, back to my question. What are your opinions on kids my age having handguns? Do you think it is a bad idea?

Federal law generally prohibits the possession of handguns by persons under the age of 18. So does my State law. That said, both my sons started to shoot my handguns at a young age, with my supervision. They could not open carry them or hunt with them until they were 18, at which time they both received one of their choice from my collection. This was in addition to matching Buckmarks with consecutive serial numbers. My sons were/are responsible and safety conscientious. Not all 18 year olds are. Not only does a parent need to know the maturity level of their child before giving them a handgun, they also need to know the law in their jurisdiction, and at least imply that they obey said laws.........

 

[mljdeckard]

My oldest (step) son is 13, and honestly, he's not very focused, and shows little inclination to learn how to shoot. I don't think I will be encouraging him to be using guns extensively by himself any time soon. My next one however, who is ten, is very sharp and intuitive, and I will be mentoring him with high expectations.

 

[22-rimfire]

22-rimfire, why would you not let a pre-18 year old have a handgun? If they show to be exceptionally safe and responsible, abd the situation called for it, then why not? they are no more dangerous than rifles or shotguns.

You will notice I said I would not buy a handgun for them. That doesn't mean that I would not allow a 12 year old to shoot my handguns. It is something that I would have to judge on a case by case basis, but generally speaking I would provide rifles and shotguns but not handguns prior to age 18.

There are a lot of what if's. But I strongly favor kids learning to shoot as soon as they are big enough to handle the firearm safely. So my absolute sounding statement is probably a little strong.

"Dangerous" is relative. It all would depend on the kid. If they domonstrate that they are safe and responsible, I would probably give them a lot of rope. I would ask others their impressions (say at the range) rather than just judging when they are around me. In your case, I would favor what you are doing at home, but I would probably provide you with a shotgun to do it with rather than a handgun.

The problem is often not the son or daughter, it is their friends who might be inside the house.

 

[Noah]

but generally speaking I would provide rifles and shotguns but not handguns prior to age 18.

The problem is often not the son or daughter, it is their friends who might be inside the house.

I agree with both statements quite a bit. Shotguns and rifles have more clear cut sporting purposes, and are safer to use. (muzzle control, I feel) Also the parent can just keep the keys or whatever until they are 18, and then the teen can just take "their" guns with them.

On the second, I am VERY glad that my 11 year old brother is mostly responsible and rather disinterested in the family's guns for now. I don't have to worry about him finding the keys and showing off the guns to his friends. Otherwise that would be a *very* big concern. I'm sure you and the gun control crowd are well aware of how that often turns out.

The one aforementioned friend of both of us looks up to my twin brother and I, and respects every thing we say to him, and is very responsible and safe. He treats everything we do as the coolest thing ever and puts a lot of value in our opinion of him, so I don't ever have to worry about him doing something dumb while he's around. He hangs on to every bit of gun safety that we tell him.

 

[Gizards'n'Gravy]

I absolutely agree 22-rimfire, that it would be a bad idea for there to be an unsecured firearm in the house while all of my friends are over. Thats why when they are at my house, the gun goes to a "safe" place.I have 1 friend that I trust enough to go shooting with (and his dad shoots with my dad) who occassionally get to peek in the safe, as long as dad permits it of course. The rest of my friends have zero access to our firearms, they don't even get to look.

My father and I were teaching his friend and son (who both had never used a gun) about guns at our little range one day. After the regular first timer safety lecture, how to handle, and all that good stuff, everything was going great. Everyone was having a blast and after graduating from .22 pistols, the man
s son wanted to shoot the 9mm. I was behind him on his left and my dad was behind him on his right, talking him through.

He fired a few rounds and then stopped, said he didn't want to shoot it anymore. My dad told him to lower the gun and use the decocker to lower the hammer, and make sure he kept his finger off the trigger. Now keep in mind we showed him twice how to use the decocker and where it was, so you can imagine my suprise when he turned the gun to the left and started to bring it up to his face where he could see it. He was saying "that's this thing ri..." right about the time he pointed the muzzle right at my face, hammer back, finger on the trigger.

I jumped away about as fast as a human possibly can, and my dad had the gun re-directed in about a nano-second. Needless to say I have not ever brought him to the range again. I don't blame him really though, we should have known better than to let him try out a fulll size pistol on the first day. But, he had been shooting .22 pistols for several hours with great results. I take firearm safely very serious

 

[22-rimfire]

I think most of us have had experiences we would rather not put down in writing for the world to read. It sounds like you and your Dad are doing things right.

 

[gc70]

What are your opinions on kids my age having handguns?

Absent laws to the contrary, it depends on the maturity and responsibility of the individual rather than calendar age.

My father and I were teaching his friend and son (who both had never used a gun) about guns at our little range one day.

Again, maturity and responsibility are more important than age. My brother-in-law pulled the same stunt on me ... and he is retired.

 

[spazzymcgee]

I strongly believe that responsible minors should be permitted firearms. I'm 15 years old, and have already bought and sold a Romanian WASR, own a Bersa thunder 9, A Del-Ton AR, numerous other firearms, and have never had any kind of firearm related incident, for the ten years that I've been shooting. I also know more gun stuff than most Adults I know. My mother and Stepfather actually brag about it.

 

[Owen Sparks]

If you are old enough (and responsible enough) to be trusted with a car you should be responsible enough to be trusted with a gun.

 

[Hunter125]

I think that totally depends on the kid's temperament and maturity level. I have known teenagers that I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them, and have also known a few that are the kind of people you want by your side when it hits the fan.

 

[roadliner]

I didn't shoot a handgun until I was around 18. I've known young kids who could handle the responsibilities that come with shooting or just being around handguns. I also know a few that after 50 years should never touch a gun. Some people never mature.

 

[Noah]

If you are old enough (and responsible enough) to be trusted with a car you should be responsible enough to be trusted with a gun.

Trouble is, you are most likely to have a car accident at age 16.

A lot (if not most) of gun violence is commited by "underage" people. Laws only ever stop those who abide by them in the first place.

I am 16, I don't think we should be allowed to carry handguns.
I think those 13 and over should be able to buy a long gun with a parent cosigning, and the gun made over to them at 18.

However, I think someone 18 and up with ZERO misdemeanors should be able to buy and CC a handgun. With a few small misdemeanors, especially, DUI and stuff, it should be 21. Sort of a rough gauge of responsibility.

 

[M2 Carbine]

depends on the kid

I say it depends more on the parent.

Some parents are so stupid it make me think there should be a mandatory IQ test before being allowed to have kids (or vote).


But yes it does depend on the kid. I've taught young kids that were as responsible with guns as any adult.


And personally, I go back to the fact that the Marine Corps trusted me with a M1 Garand when I was 17.