To what degree do you let kids carry or use weapons in self defence

[kidcarry]

I imagine some people would let their kids know how to use a gun if they are home alone on a home invader but what about a kid who has to go to rough school would you let them carry a knife. How would you know when they are mature enough to do so?

 

[hso]

Are you an adult asking or a kid asking?

 

[jordan1948]

Well I'm a youth and I know more about firearms and firearm safety than either one of my parents because I've studied both subjects and they haven't (yet), therefore they let me make decisions on whether I have a firearm with me or not (I don't have any handguns I'm talking about whether I've got a rifle or shotgun at home, in my car or if I just feel like taking one out) BUT I don't go to public or private school so this really doesn't help you. What might help is if the child/adolescent is educated in self defence and when it is and isn't acceptable to use a weapon.

 

[TexasRifleman]

but what about a kid who has to go to rough school would you let them carry a knife. How would you know when they are mature enough to do so?

If it was that bad I'd just put them in another school or take them out completely.

Putting that weight of responsibility on a child is just poor parenting.

It's not the kids job to keep himself safe, it's the parents job.

 

[Floppy_D]

In a perfect world, you'd be held accountable for your actions at any age, and mom and pop could let you carry at any age. Unfortunately, they are liable for your actions until you are an adult.

Given how litigation works... I, as a parent, would allow my son to carry when it was legal. In the home, when he's old enough (4 right now, not yet old enough) he'll know how to operate any and all firearms, and when he gains my trust, may have access to one when I feel he is ready. As a parent, and thus the one subject to the law, that is my decison, and to be fair in your case, that's your parents' decision. If they are okay with it now, and allow you to do as you please, neat-o. But remember, you, under the care of your parents, subject them to the consequences of your actions, and I hope you are level headed and fair enough to dignify that responsibility with appropriate action.

p.s. in Texas, can you buy a gun before being 18?

 

[GEM]

Advocating children breaking the law and school policy is not the High Road.

 

[Six Feet Under]

My parents let me have my guns at home from the time I got a safe to lock them in. I had a key but they still said unless it was an emergency that they were not to be taken out and messed with unless they knew about it before-hand. They trusted me not to blow a hole in the ceiling or myself.

School was a whole different ball game, I never had any problems at school because I'm a big dude and I think people were afraid of me...

 

[Kind of Blued]

I expect kids to be ignorant enough that they don't worry about things like home-invaders; I know I never did.

As "extreme" as I am in my beliefs in freedom, I have to honestly say that I don't feel comfortable with "kids" carrying guns.

If I had a kid, I'm sure I'd have thought about it more, but I don't.

 

[Dksimon]

I have been trusted with firearms and when I lived at home my dad never hesitated to allow me to borrow his shotgun or .22. BUT, I always asked first and told him exactly who I would be with, where we were going and what I planned to do with them.

I always had a knife in my pocket as a kid and still always carry a knife. My parents never cared as it was common place for me but it was never with the intent to protect myself I just found that it was a handy tool to carry.

As an adult my guns are still in my dads case because I dont have a place to store them where I am living now. I still let him know what I am doing if I take my guns out but no longer need his permission to do so.

Sorry, that was really long. To get to your question.

If your kid has it that tough get them into a different school.
Aggravated assault/homicide is not something you want your kids to have on their record/conscience.

 

[snipe300]

I roamed around my parent's farm with a shotgun when I was still in my single digits. I think it depends on the parent's assessment of the child since they will bear the legal responsibility.

 

[Joey_the_Wolf]

Last year, when we were still living together, I would leave my loaded cocked and locked 1911 .45 pistol and a spare 8 round magazine on top of my bed in plain sight, in a holster, so that my 16 year old sister would feel safe at home alone while my mom, and myself were out working. The neighbors were not the best, and neither was the land lord... I also know for a fact she was responsible enough to handle that pistol, and would not touch it unless she needed it. I also know that she could out shoot most people that I know, so I wasn't worried about her not being able to handle it or know what to do with it. My mother would also leave her Beretta M92 (now mine as mom and sis moved out of country) in another hidden area with the same understanding as me. It worked out very well. However, your mileage can, and usually will vary. Ultimately it is up to the parent(s) to decide, and what works for one person, may not work for the other. Just make sure, VERY sure that they have been trained and know how to use, load, unload, and safely handle that firearm.

 

[kingpin008]

It's not the kids job to keep himself safe, it's the parents job.

100% agreed. That doesn't mean that a child should be ignorant of self-defense, however. But if a kid has to carry a weapon (gun, knife or other) in order to be safe at school, they need to be moved to a different school as already suggested.

 

[jordan1948]

OK I know I already posted and edited my original post once but I'm going to correct myself a bit, if it's so rough at school YES they should be transfered to avoid violence another thing is when I said they should be educated in self defence and when it is and isn't acceptable use a weapon, if it's against school policy and the law for them to have a weapon of any kind than NO they shouldn't have one. On another note when I said it's my decision whether I have a gun at home, in the car or just outside, I don't have one in my car unless I'm going to the range and I don't have one outside without a good reason, otherwise they stay in the safe.

Just wanted to clear some things up so ppl don't think I'm some irresponsible teenager running around with guns and parents that don't care because that's not the case AT ALL.

 

[Picard]

I don't have kids but my younger sisters all know how to use the firearms in the house if need be. They are responsible and who knows when they might need that knowledge.

I advocate teaching children about guns early on to get rid of the curiosity. That makes them want to play with them less. I mean, we're not worried about kids going to the kitchen and playing with the knives, since they already know how they work. They are boring. Same thing with a gun. After a kid gets used to seeing a real gun, they will be boring too. It's simple human psychology. I'm sure that each of us knows how exciting a new gun is for a little while and how after a few weeks that excitement has faded.

Taking a kid to the range would be the quickest way to teach them gun responsibility. As soon as they hear the loud bang, they'll quickly realize that a gun isn't something to use lightly. That's the way people used to do it and there was less negligence on everyone's part.

 

[kidcarry]

I mean you can't assume everywhere your kids go will be safe even a wealthy neighbourhood is not necessarily safe.

Also some people aren't in a position to be able to move everytime there is a problem.

 

[Treo]

Advocating children breaking the law and school policy is not the High Road.

It is , however, exactly the type of thing a troll might do on their very first post. Just sayin,

 

[jahwarrior]

i was 9 years old when my father gave me my first knife, a trapper, i think. he's one of those old guys who thought every man should always carry a handkerchief, a knife, and a condom. he taught me how to carry it, how to palm if i thought i was going to need it, and how to use it if i had to. when i got older, i upgraded on on my own. if my school was that bad where i needed to carry a knife, my parents wouldn't have gotten me a bigger knife, they would've put me in a better school.

unfortunately, with today's society wearing one big diaper, i'm not allowed to do the same for my son. i bought him a knife that he's only allowed to use in and around the house; if he's seen with it in public, i run the risk of having my kids taken from me. the school district in my area is so uptight, that i've had to warn my kids about telling their friends and classmates about our range trips.

 

[Griz44]

All three of mine were trained from an early age how to handle long guns and pistols properly and safely. They had access to self defense guns while at home, and knew how to use them and under what conditions were appropriate. When they were in school, they carried a pocket knife, but back then, it was considered just another tool, like a pencil or a notebook. Times have changed dramatically under the watchful eye of big brother. I do not envy anyone raising kids these days. It's a tough job already without the no-one-is-responsible-for-their-own-actions mentality that seems to prevail these days.
Please be careful and don't accumulate any legal charges that will impact you later in life, you have a long way to go. Good luck.

 

[taliv]

you'd have to be insane to arm your children with knives/guns and send them off to school. that's just asking for gov custody.

 

[CountGlockula]

18-21 years of age. Until then, it's my job to protect them.

 

[elChupacabra!]

you'd have to be insane to arm your children with knives/guns and send them off to school. that's just asking for gov custody.

Hear hear

I smell a serious troll... this one is almost as good as yesterday's question about who can do "select fire conversions" because "dude im not planning on killing anybody and we shoot in like in the middle of nowhere on 450 acres of land i just think it would be fun as hell" and, when warned of its illegality, responded "well wat if i dont want to "jump through a buch of hoops" - he just wanted an "under the table conversion"

Fantastic

 

[dmxx9900]

I am 18 and carry a knife or have a gun in a center console box in my car from time to time especially when I have to drive through a bad neighborhood or feel uncomfortable about where I am headed except when I am working at a school then no weapons even when going through a bad neighborhood.
It is all legal in Florida but under 18 is not legal so I am out of that restriction.

My parents were only there to protect me till about 15 then I started to protect myself from there on.And now I take care of most things on my own and I am big and strong enough to take on most common threats plus deter them.
But I still have a weapon in case some punk does not play fair and brings out a knife or a pistol or even a couple of his buddies to fight me only.Then comes out my knife or I get my Bersa if they leave me no options.

 

[ridata]

Though this smells of troll ... I'll contribute for any future readers who want want to gain something from it.

If you're worried about your kid, take all of the above advice and remove them from the school that is so dangerous. Homeschool them if need be! And once you take those precautions, enroll them in some martial arts courses. That would be the best protection you could give them.

 

[jnyork]

What el Chupacabra said. Might be the same guy, different handle.

 

[Mark Evel]

Wow, OP. I mean, wow. What a question.