Teens and guns...
- Thread starter sprice
- Start date
- Status
My dad was very strict about gun safety when my brothers an I were younger.
At age 6 I was shooting air rifles at my grandfathers.
At age 8 I was taking my hunter education class an then used a single shot 410.
By age 13 I owned my own mosbeg 500 12 ga.
Up until then the guns were always locked up an dad only had the key.
Now the air rifles were another story.
When we got to grandpas we got the rifles an we shot all we wanted to. mostly to get birds in the mow.
Boy those were the days.
Rest in peace granpa.
DAVE
At age 6 I was shooting air rifles at my grandfathers.
At age 8 I was taking my hunter education class an then used a single shot 410.
By age 13 I owned my own mosbeg 500 12 ga.
Up until then the guns were always locked up an dad only had the key.
Now the air rifles were another story.
When we got to grandpas we got the rifles an we shot all we wanted to. mostly to get birds in the mow.
Boy those were the days.
Rest in peace granpa.
DAVE
Duke of Doubt
member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Messages
- 2,863
Constitutional rights accrue direct to majors, not to minors. A fourteen year old has no right to vote. Minors enjoy certain highly abbreviated Constitutional protections. Firearms ownership is not among them.
SaMx
Member
Well if they're under the legal age any decisions about guns are up to the parents, as well as the responsibility. They should teach the kids safety and respect, and limit access until they're ready.
Has anyone covered the part where we have 17 & 18 Y/Os in Iraq and Afghanistan right now? Old enough to die for your country, old enough to exercise your rights
I know it sounds cheesy but these people are showing that they are responsible enough to handle firearms in a safe manner why shouldn’t they be allowed to exercise all their rights. If their must be a cut off make it 18 if the law says you are an adult then you should be able to purchase a firearm
I know it sounds cheesy but these people are showing that they are responsible enough to handle firearms in a safe manner why shouldn’t they be allowed to exercise all their rights. If their must be a cut off make it 18 if the law says you are an adult then you should be able to purchase a firearm
I think that teaching kids and teens how to safely use firearms teaches them responsibility. Letting minors purchase guns is not a good idea without a guardian there because such training may never happen. If they never learn how to safely use a gun then they will become one of those awful unsafe gun owners that give us all a bad name. There is no safety clause in the Second Amendment but I think that we would all agree that we want to be nowhere near unsafe gun owners. Teach them responsibility young.
"Constitutional rights accrue direct to majors, not to minors. A fourteen year old has no right to vote. Minors enjoy certain highly abbreviated Constitutional protections. Firearms ownership is not among them."
Horsepucky.
I began shooting at age six. Singleshot Winchester 96A, which I still have.
My Dad was very strict about training and gun handling.
All the guns lived in the "gun cabinet", which was unlocked.
Another age...........
By the time I was 12 or 13, I had a 16 ga. double and a .300 Savage,
And a .22 Colt Revolver
And was on the hunting road.
This was before the whole "self defense" paranoia/emphasis.
I used guns to kill game, not people.
For what its worth............
isher
__________________
Horsepucky.
I began shooting at age six. Singleshot Winchester 96A, which I still have.
My Dad was very strict about training and gun handling.
All the guns lived in the "gun cabinet", which was unlocked.
Another age...........
By the time I was 12 or 13, I had a 16 ga. double and a .300 Savage,
And a .22 Colt Revolver
And was on the hunting road.
This was before the whole "self defense" paranoia/emphasis.
I used guns to kill game, not people.
For what its worth............
isher
__________________
mljdeckard
Member
When they're teens I expect them to be able to handle firearms at least as well as I do, even if they are still learning marksmanship.
When I was in high school, we did lots of crazy stuff. Me and my guys are living proof that God watches out for fools, drunks, and small children. We played with cars. Explosives. Speed. Pranks involving police scanners, road flares, and cats in heat. But we never, EVER, messed with guns.
When I was in high school, we did lots of crazy stuff. Me and my guys are living proof that God watches out for fools, drunks, and small children. We played with cars. Explosives. Speed. Pranks involving police scanners, road flares, and cats in heat. But we never, EVER, messed with guns.
Yankee
Member
Do you need parental permission to join the military under 18 in the States? You do in Australia and I remember at least young guys in basic training needing to get their parents to withdraw parental permission for their enlistment so that they could bail out of Army life after just a couple of weeks.
cleardiddion
Member
Aw, I don't think I should have all that much parental supervision and all that jazz.
Well, I guess I shant be a teen much longer.
Well, I guess I shant be a teen much longer.
Glockman17366
Member
If one is old enough to join the military..or be drafted, one is old enough to have all rights as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights
bang_bang
Member
When I was 10 or so, dad bought me a couple of guns I could call my own. They were a .270 Remmy 700 and a Mossberg .410 pump. We did not have a gun cabinet or safe, so I just put them in my room behind my door. Years later we finally got a gun cabinet, and by then I already had more than it would hold.
My parents knew I was safe with guns, and didn't care after they watched me handle them. Age 12-13 I would take the 10-22 on the golfcart and ride up a neighbor's hunting trail shooting groundhogs and crows, with no parental supervision. Every once in a while I would come across a neighbor, who would tell me stories about how he used to take his .22lr to school with him for an afternoon of rabbit hunting for that night's supper.
I think the biggest thing with my knowledge of gun safety at a young age was due to deer hunting with my grandfather and getting pellet/bb guns for Christmas when I was around 6. Mom and dad told me never to point it at anyone, any house, or any vehicle. I put 2 and 2 together really quick at a young age and never thought about doing anything else but what common sense told me.
Teenagers might be a little more hardheaded if they have no prior supervision with firearms safety. Being of age to handle a firearm and being mature and sensible enough to handle one are 2 different things.
My parents knew I was safe with guns, and didn't care after they watched me handle them. Age 12-13 I would take the 10-22 on the golfcart and ride up a neighbor's hunting trail shooting groundhogs and crows, with no parental supervision. Every once in a while I would come across a neighbor, who would tell me stories about how he used to take his .22lr to school with him for an afternoon of rabbit hunting for that night's supper.
I think the biggest thing with my knowledge of gun safety at a young age was due to deer hunting with my grandfather and getting pellet/bb guns for Christmas when I was around 6. Mom and dad told me never to point it at anyone, any house, or any vehicle. I put 2 and 2 together really quick at a young age and never thought about doing anything else but what common sense told me.
Teenagers might be a little more hardheaded if they have no prior supervision with firearms safety. Being of age to handle a firearm and being mature and sensible enough to handle one are 2 different things.
Officers'Wife
Member
Too vague actually, I've seen thirteen year olds responsible enough I would trust them with any kind of weapon. I've seen fifty year olds that make me nervous when they pick up a table knife. Should either my son or daughter be one of the former, they will have training and free access. Should they be the latter, the weapons cabinet will be locked for that child.
jfdavis58
Member
In technical terms I owned a 12ga shotgun about the time I turned 4 years old. An inheritance from my grandfather--Winchester Model 12 if you're interested. The gun was held 'in trust' by my aunt until about my 18th birthday. I was allowed to carry and use it in the field from about the age of twelve WITH a trusted adult. And I was 'allowed' to clean it during the same period-with adult supervision.
My own father died just recently and he left a Winchester '94; I have only one teenager-our youngest in the house but I get to decide inheritance rights on the gun across all three of my children (I bought it as a gift, stipulating that it came back to me first if I survived my dad, which has occurred).
My own children were introduced to guns and shooting pre-teen. They have had supervised access to my guns since that introduction. One of my two adult children now owns several of his own guns. Currently each has one or more favorites from my collection and they jokingly threaten to cause a fall or slip that would lead to my demise. I intend to do what I must to insure their inheritance.
Children should be introduced to guns as soon as they exhibit any curiosity towards firearms. They should be taught to keep their hands off other peoples property unless specifically allowed to touch. They should be strictly enjoined to stay clear of firearms unless a competent and trusted adult is alongside. They should be included frequently in family shooting activities, as shooters, praised for successes and severely admonished for even the most minor gun related infraction regarding the rules of safe handling. This in a bygone era was often called 'common sense'.
Knowing the realities of guns and shooting removes most curiosity. Rigidly enforcing the rules maintains the awareness of the gravity and seriousness of matters of the gun. Much of childhood-school, play, friends and toys occur firmly in a realm of fantasy and properly schooled matters of the gun do not reside in this fantasy. Given a solid, seemingly impenetrable wall segregating guns as serious adult material, children have no trouble making the proper choices to leave them alone and steer clear should one somehow become available.
My own father died just recently and he left a Winchester '94; I have only one teenager-our youngest in the house but I get to decide inheritance rights on the gun across all three of my children (I bought it as a gift, stipulating that it came back to me first if I survived my dad, which has occurred).
My own children were introduced to guns and shooting pre-teen. They have had supervised access to my guns since that introduction. One of my two adult children now owns several of his own guns. Currently each has one or more favorites from my collection and they jokingly threaten to cause a fall or slip that would lead to my demise. I intend to do what I must to insure their inheritance.
Children should be introduced to guns as soon as they exhibit any curiosity towards firearms. They should be taught to keep their hands off other peoples property unless specifically allowed to touch. They should be strictly enjoined to stay clear of firearms unless a competent and trusted adult is alongside. They should be included frequently in family shooting activities, as shooters, praised for successes and severely admonished for even the most minor gun related infraction regarding the rules of safe handling. This in a bygone era was often called 'common sense'.
Knowing the realities of guns and shooting removes most curiosity. Rigidly enforcing the rules maintains the awareness of the gravity and seriousness of matters of the gun. Much of childhood-school, play, friends and toys occur firmly in a realm of fantasy and properly schooled matters of the gun do not reside in this fantasy. Given a solid, seemingly impenetrable wall segregating guns as serious adult material, children have no trouble making the proper choices to leave them alone and steer clear should one somehow become available.
travistheone
Member
im 18, and have had my own gun/guns since the day after my 18th birthday. I went to bass pro and bought a gun. I am safe, and all of my friends are safe.
bigione
Member
My children were reloading their own as early as ten, driving three miles thru two or three gates, shooting up to three hundred rounds and returning home to do it again. I've had foster children and relatives unsafe at any age. Training and mental ability have to be judged. It isn't age, althoughjt that is a factor, but train, train, train.......
I have a 12 year old daughter. She goes to the range with me every week. Very safe and still learning more every time we shoot. That being said, she will be the first to jump your a$$ if you are being unsafe. There is nothing better than seeing a 12 year old jump on a 60 year old verbally for being unsafe. You also couldn't ask for anyone better to get your attenetion.
jfrey
Member
My dad was old military and all of my guns were securely locked up and he had the only key to the rack. If I wanted to use one of them, I asked and he guided me very closely until I was 14. He still watched me after that but he trusted me and knew I had learned the lessons to responsibily use firearms. I raised my kids the same way and they, both in their twenties, are very careful with guns. They also know I still watch them like a hawk when they are shooting. I guess old habits are hard to break. I'll be watching them when they are in their 50's too.
As a school teacher, I see a lot of kids I wouldn't trust with a plastic butter knife, much less a gun. We have age limits on buying firearms and to my mind, they are pretty rational and fair. At the same time, I know older folks I wouldn't trust with a gun either. It comes down to the individual. Gun ownership comes with responsibilities and if you can't handle it, no matter your age, you don't need them.
I am very much pro-gun, but I also realize there are idiots in this world too.
As a school teacher, I see a lot of kids I wouldn't trust with a plastic butter knife, much less a gun. We have age limits on buying firearms and to my mind, they are pretty rational and fair. At the same time, I know older folks I wouldn't trust with a gun either. It comes down to the individual. Gun ownership comes with responsibilities and if you can't handle it, no matter your age, you don't need them.
I am very much pro-gun, but I also realize there are idiots in this world too.
hignhappy00
member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 33
I choose: have guns; but with set parental restrictions .
I find a Genuine Leather Gun Holder Belt Bag..It looks good.
I find a Genuine Leather Gun Holder Belt Bag..It looks good.
chris in va
Member
Some teens are responsible, but most I've run into should in no way actually OWN one and have personal access to it.
Parents can keep it for the kid and take them shooting at the range or go hunting with them, but I firmly believe they should only be fired under direct responsible adult supervision.
Please. There's so much wrong with that statement I don't know where to begin.
Parents can keep it for the kid and take them shooting at the range or go hunting with them, but I firmly believe they should only be fired under direct responsible adult supervision.
Please. There's so much wrong with that statement I don't know where to begin.
bang_bang
Member
Virginia must start gun safety out young don't they. I reckon I was 10 when I was allowed to keep my .270 Remmy and .410 Mossberg in my room, with ammo. I didn't load them (like half of my guns are now), but had the bullets not far away. Even when I had friends over, they all knew not to touch the guns, and I would open the action and show them if they asked.
Actually, I think it was mom that said "Let him keep them in his room," which is rather surprising.
In the mid 1800s 16 or so was considered an adult, some girls married as young as 14. At 16 a boy could leave home, join the Army, get a job on a ranch and basically go be an adult. It was common for teens to be trusted with guns. What changed was the way we treat our teens, we started treating them like kids we started making a big deal out of being a teenager and we created a society in which they didn’t have to grow up or show any responsibility until they were almost in their 20s. And guess what happened?
Bill Cody supported his brothers and sisters as a pony express rider at the age of 16. Billy the Kid (not the best of examples but he did act as an adult) wasn’t much older. Annie Oakley was 14. Laura Ingalls Wilder had graduated school and was employed as a full time school teacher at the age of 16. George Armstrong Custer was a 16 Y/O School teacher before he attended West Point
My point is that if you expect the kid to act responsibly and demand it of them they will. Teens not being responsible to own guns is waaay more the result of the way they’re seen by society than any lack of innate ability by the kids
Bill Cody supported his brothers and sisters as a pony express rider at the age of 16. Billy the Kid (not the best of examples but he did act as an adult) wasn’t much older. Annie Oakley was 14. Laura Ingalls Wilder had graduated school and was employed as a full time school teacher at the age of 16. George Armstrong Custer was a 16 Y/O School teacher before he attended West Point
My point is that if you expect the kid to act responsibly and demand it of them they will. Teens not being responsible to own guns is waaay more the result of the way they’re seen by society than any lack of innate ability by the kids
- Status
Similar threads
