I have a question for those of you who support giving children guns

[cali]

I've seen many posters say that it's a good thing, that teaching children to respect guns is a good thing. OK, say I"m willing to accept that premise, and in all fairness, I've known quite a few people who grew up that way and/or gave their kids guns at 10 or so.

What age is too young? The kid in Kentucky was given a gun at 4. There are plenty of testimonials on the Crickett gun site from parents saying they got their kid a gun at 4, 5 or 6.

And as a follow-up, do you think that little guns brightly painted so that they resemble toys (thus looking harmless), are problematic?

[loli phabay]

1. my daughter is six and she has the pink .22 rifle. she only shoots with me, gun is locked in safe

With other weapons. If she wants to shoot then she asks and we go out back and i run the range for her. She knows its not a toy as she sees what damage our other guns do and gets it. Not all kids get it, its down to the individual parent to make the hopefully good decision of when their kids are ready to do stuff whether its handle firearms, ride a snowmobile, swim in the river or whatever else there is out there.

[cali]

2. thanks for the response.

[Recursion]

3. I suppose I was "given" my first one at birth, but I wasn't allowed to touch it until I was 8

It was just kept in the gun safe. Once I turned 8, my dad and grandfather taught me how to clean it, and I did that for 6 months before they took me out and let me load it and shoot it. It was a 410 shotgun (sort of the .22 of shotguns) and I practiced the first couple of weekends with blanks (NB: those aren't quite the same as blank rifle and pistol cartridges, and in no case should you ever consider a blank to be safe -- that's how Brandon Lee died) before they moved me up to birdshot. I didn't go hunting with my grandfather until I was 12 (maybe 11? I think 12). And then as I got older I used more powerful guns when we hunted. By the time I was 16 and actually working alone with the animals in the back fields I carried a 20 gauge (somewhat more powerful) with me for coyotes, snakes, etc.

This had the added bonus of making me associate firearms with hard labor in hot weather; I respond to them roughly like I do a chainsaw or garden hoe. Also I learned the absolute brain-numbing tedium of cleaning them first and foremost, which should turn any kid off of guns...

[Fla_Democrat]

5. Jon-Erik Hexum

NB: those aren't quite the same as blank rifle and pistol cartridges, and in no case should you ever consider a blank to be safe


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon-Erik_Hexum


Jon-Erik Hexum (November 5, 1957 – October 18, 1984) was an American model and actor. He died as a result of an accidental self-inflicted blank cartridge gunshot wound to the head on the set of the CBS television series Cover Up in which he played the male lead.

Death

On October 12, 1984, the cast and crew of Cover Up were filming the seventh episode of the series, "Golden Opportunity", on Stage 17 of the 20th Century Fox lot. One of the scenes filmed that day called for Hexum's character to load blanks into a .44 Magnum handgun. When the scene did not play as the director wanted it to play in the master shot, there was a delay in filming. Hexum became restless and impatient during the delay and began playing around to lighten the mood. Apparently, he had unloaded all but one (blank) round, spun it, and in what would appear to be a game of Russian roulette, at 5:15 p.m., he put the revolver to his right temple and pulled the trigger.[6]

Hexum was apparently unaware that his actions were dangerous. Blanks use paper or plastic wadding to seal gunpowder into the cartridge, and this wadding is propelled from the barrel of the gun with enough force to cause injury if the weapon is fired within a few metres of the body should it strike at a particularly vulnerable spot, such as the temple or the eye. At point blank range, the effect of the powder gasses is similar to a small explosion so although the paper wadding in the blank that Hexum discharged did not penetrate his skull, there was enough blunt force trauma to shatter a quarter-sized piece of his skull and propel the pieces into his brain, causing massive hemorrhaging.[1][7]


There is no safety feature against foolishness.

[Recursion]

33. Very true

I just try to bring that point up in the rare occasions I mention blanks.

[Jenoch]

53. The Brandon Lee

accident was a bit more complicated. As I recall, there were 'dummy' rounds to show the gun being loaded. They were basically live rounds with the bullet removed, the powder removed, and then the bullet was replaced. Apparently, the trigger was pulled and since the bullet was a little loose, the primer had enough thrust to send the bullet partway down the barrel. Later, blanks were put into the gun and when it was discharged during the filming, the bullet hit Lee and mortally wounded him.

I think all movie and television productions that use guns should have a qualified armorer on set to examine the weapons frequently to make sure they are being used in a safe manner.

[kudzu22]

63. Wow, what a dumb thing to do

Who would deliberately make a squib round? I agree they need an armorer on set anytime they are using anything but prop guns.

[Jenoch]

67. They were only supposed to use the squibs when doing

closeups of someone loading the gun. After that, they were supposed to be removed for the blanks. The problem arose because they used squibs with active primers. If the would have used a spend shell casing with a new bullet, Brandon Lee might still be alive today.

[Hoyt]

4. Introducing young kids into gun culture and its rituals seems so backwards.

[Maine-ah]

6. depends...

here in Maine, many people hunt to supplement their food supply - especially up north. My husband was given his gun when he was 12. He doesn't hunt - and I'm pretty sure the gun was his grandfather's. It's quite common around here.

[Hoyt]

8. Hunting is OK. Assault looking rifles, not so much.

A hunter doesn't have a cache of weapons, high cap mags, is not supportive of right wing gun crud, doesn't train to shoot people, etc., as many in gun culture do/are.

[Recursion]

17. I learned to hunt with an AK-47 styled rifle

It's safer for walking in the woods than a traditional-looking rifle is. Per law, we used low-capacity magazines (I personally hate the big banana-shaped ones anyways)

[Hoyt]

22. Gun crowd always has some rationale for their assault style weapons. Fact is,

some people are attracted to weapons that have killed/maimed a lot of people. And manufacturers have learned how to market to gunners' baser instincts.

Personally, the fact anyone is attracted to these type weapons, is reason enough to put them on the no gun list.

[Recursion]

32. Why do police departments have assault weapons?

Do they want to kill a lot of people?

[Hoyt]

57. That's rather dumb, they have blue lights, vests and uniforms too -- do you need those?

Do you honestly think millions of private citizens should arm up like the police. As Chris Rock says, "Is you crazy?"

[premium]

62. And the police are so trustworthy, right?

[Hoyt]

78. So are you going to pull your assault weapons when approached by police?

I thought you guys were law-abiding and all that.

[premium]

81. Have you got a memory problem?

How many times do I have to tell you that I don't even own a semi auto, rifle or pistol.

And who said anything about pulling a firearm on the police? Except you of course.

[Recursion]

66. Why do police want them, if you're right?

Isn't that a huge waste of money?

[Hoyt]

79. I thought you guys wanted them for hunting, or some such BS.

[Pelican]

9. It's perfectly normal...

We are not a hunting family, but my grandfather, the patriarch of the family, burned the safety into our heads from the time we could comprehend.

He never worried about the myriad of handguns and rifles lying around his home. You should have seen him hustle though when his wife brought a friend with their kids or grandkids.

It's all about the method by which children are introduced. How do they see the weapon? Cool and mysterious? See it as a tool?

[Hoyt]

12. I don't really feel that way anymore. I was brought up around guns too, kind of dumb looking back.

I don't care how much you drum safety into kids, when they are brought up with guns lying around -- if someone doesn't get shot, you still have warped adults walking around among us.

Guns are a tool alright, mostly the tool of bigots and criminals.

[pipoman]

13. You loose all credibility when you say silly stuff like,

"Guns are a tool alright, mostly the tool of bigots and criminals."

Not "mostly" unless you consider 1/2 of 1% who do criminal stuff with their guns "mostly"..ridiculous it is..

[Hoyt]

23. People use guns to intimidate, to embolden themselves, to threaten spouses, etc.

They might never get caught, but they still use guns in ways detrimental to society.

Basically, to keep you guys giddy with your guns, we have to put up with all the bad stuff that comes from them. It's not worth it.

[pipoman]

24. And these people you speak of represent "most" do they?

[Pelican]

25. Just another ignorant stereotype...

Except we would deride (correctly) someone who said most Mexicans are lazy or most Blacks steal or most women are golddiggers.

It's ok to say that 10s of millions of Americans are bigots and violent abusers though.

[Hoyt]

26. Poor misunderstood gun cultists. Your plight and burden is tough.

But the ploy of trying to equate your poor gun plight to those faced by minorities, is simply disgusting.

[Pelican]

29. No plight for me...

There is a select and short list of people who's opinions affect me. Safe to say you are not on it.

It's not about race or gender or whatever. It's about the logical idiocy of attributing a negative stereotype to a mass group of people. Especially when it's easy to see that it isn't true.

10's of millions of gun owners. It's pretty safe to say that the vast majority aren't racist, spouse abusers. It just sounds silly and ignorant to assume as much.

[Hoyt]

35. Not sure about the racist part, since majority of gun cultists are right wingers.

[Kingofalldems]

56. Are you a fan of the NRA?

[Jenoch]

55. Where Do you live?

If the only up close and personal interection with gun owners is from one specific area, then your generalizing is understandable, but atill makes you look ignorant. You equate all gun owners to the stereotype of Bubba and his buddies in the rural south. That woild be the same as equating all Democrats as being rich elitests from the northeast. Both are inaccurate.

[Hoyt]

58. Red state -- home of yahoos who think they need guns to walk down the street.

Go to a gun show in just about any state. Report back on the demographic of attendees -- particularly those drooling over the "assault" weapons, hi cap mags, etc.

[Jenoch]

65. I have been to many gun shows.

Mostly in Minnesota. Few of those attending look like those in your 'militia' photos. Besides that, looks can be deceiving. You have a scewed idea of gun owners in the U.S.

[Hoyt]

80. Nope, known a bunch of them. Mostly lightly educated bigots, and paranoid.

Other hangups as well. Guns did not help them.

[Jenoch]

82. Thanks for reinforcing the point i was making about the assumptions you make concerning

gun owners.

[hughee99]

34. Which are these guys, bigots or criminals?

?w=720
?w=688

[Hoyt]

36. These gunners damn sure are.

Yahoos in line, one week after Sandy Hook, at gun show in Georgia -- hoping the fondle an "assault" weapon just like Adam Lanza's:

[hughee99]

38. So you were talking about the "gun show crowd" then, not necessarily anyone who uses a gun? n/t

[Hoyt]

46. To keep so-called "responsible" gunners happy, we have to put up with a bunch of yahoos,

Zimmerman's, NRA President Keene's son, Glenn Becks, yahoos in photos, and plenty of other right wing losers walking around in our cities with guns in their pants.

It's not worth it. Clearly, you are so steeped in guns that your access to more and more of the dang things has become more important than society.

[hughee99]

48. "Clearly, you are so steeped in guns..."

I don't own a gun. I've never owned a gun. I've never applied for permits to own a gun and I haven't fired a gun in at least 25 years. If all guns magically disappeared tomorrow, it wouldn't affect my personal daily life one bit.

CLEARLY, you're ability to determine what's going on in someone else's mind isn't NEARLY as good as you think it is.

Personally, I responded to your broad brush post because I do know a few people who own guns who happen to be neither bigots or criminals. I thought I'd post a few pictures of some other people you might agree aren't bigots or criminals, to see if I could get you to rethink that statement, but instead I got a tap-dance.

[premium]

49. Oh, I wouldn't worry about him,

when he gets bested in a debate, his standard response is either "clearly, you are so steeped in guns...", or, "enjoy your guns".

[kudzu22]

61. Hoyt's favorite picture

You know these guys or something? You sure post it a lot.

[otohara]

51. Nah, Who Would Shoot Up Stop Signs & Bunnies?

I'm with you...shooting up cans, bottles, street signs, and small animals is twisted - makes me wonder how this affects a kids brain to have that much power to do damage at such a young age.

Bullies in the making.

[loli phabay]

59. you know that bunnies as you call them taste good and have been hunted for ever.

[premium]

68. The cottontails I hunted as a kid were delicious,

the jacks, not so much, too rangy and tough.

[loli phabay]

70. thats what rabbit curry was designed for, love them in a vindaloo

Rabbit is still my favourite meat followed by goat and lamb.

[premium]

71. My mom could make the best rabbit stew in all of Nevada!

Yummmmmmmmmmm.

[loli phabay]

72. we would wrap them in kelp surrounded by cockles and mussels and bury in a fire pit

Some hours later what a feast. So craving it now.

[premium]

73. Thanks alot,

now you've got my mouth watering.

Another one of my favorite dishes that my mom would make was baked Chucker wrapped in bacon, seasoned with garlic and pepper.

[loli phabay]

74. another phenom meal and different is roast puffin, theres a real nice fishy undertaste

But its an enhancement rather than a detriment. Though right now im now craving blood sausage.

[premium]

75. Sounds delicious.

I sure do miss the days of my youth and my moms cooking.
Thinking about buying another .22 or a .410 and start hunting game birds, we have dove, quail, turkey, chucker, all of which are great if cooked right.

Also save myself a ton of money, the price of meat has skyrocketed in recent years.

[loli phabay]

76. we get a lot of game off our property and the meat always tastes better than the stores

Currently im building six ponds and a stream with plans to stock with perch for harvesting. Cant wait to put a line in and then straight on the grill.

[premium]

77. Where do you live?

I would love to come over for dinner, LOL.

[loli phabay]

83. lol in the blueridge in virginia

[premium]

86. Ack.

Too far, although..................................................LOL.

[otohara]

84. How About Beavers

or snakes, or what ever critter gets blown up by some kid with a gun cuz they think it's funny?

What about vandalism to public property.

[Pelican]

7. Depends what you mean by giving a gun...

If you mean "Here Pelican Jr, Here is your new .22. You can keep it in your room, with ammo" then I would lean towards the tween years.

However, if you mean having a gun set aside for the child to learn on that I, as the adult, keep secured then I would start as early as 4.

My personal progression was toy gun, BB gun, 22 rifle, 9mm/45 ACP handgun, AR-15 / AK-47 (civilian and military models), all the crap the Army gave me to shoot.

The coloring doesn't bother me because no matter the color I have control of the weapon until they are at an age where they can deal with it responsibly.

[Dorian Gray]

10. I've seen very few

who say that, but I agree... it's totally perplexing.

[LWolf]

11. I'm wondering

how many DUers are actually giving children guns. Of course, I don't read all the gun threads.

I DO have students who have their own guns, and use them regularly. For hunting, and for target shooting. They are middle schoolers.

On the one hand, they are old enough to have taken and passed gun safety courses, and even in most of the extreme gun-nut families, are supervised when the gun comes out. On the other, adolescent brain development tells us that the brain is going through a process, much like it does at 2/3 years old, that results in impulsivity and less thinking and common sense than a ten yo might exhibit. The "terrible twos" with big bodies and hormones.

I don't have a problem with those that hunt for food; it's a tradition, part of the culture around here. For some families, that's part of the food supply they depend on. I have a real problem with trophy hunting; with killing for no good purpose. One of my students asked me just last week, when I shared a story about the raccoon treed in a pasture by my dog, if I shot it. "Why?" I asked. "Was it hurting me? I'm not going to eat it. I'm not going to kill something just for the sake of killing it." He looked confused. To him, going out to shoot things with your gun is a right of passage. You skin it and make a cap. Or something.

A couple of days ago, I could have said that, in my years here, no kids shot people. I can't say that any more. It wasn't an accident, though; a 19 yo out target shooting with his friend and a couple of other men turned, without provocation or any kind of lead-up, and shot his friend in the face, killing him. No motive known yet. That was deliberate. And 19 is no longer a "child," even if enough maturity to be considered a "man" hasn't been reached.

[krispos42]

14. First off, "giving" a gun as a present does not mean relinquishing control of it

If I was to give my son a gun as a present, you can be DAMN sure it would not be functional except at the range.

I keep my long guns in my closet, with the critical components (bolts, trigger mechanisms) removed and locked up in a safe.

I'm mixed on the color thing. Its not my style, but I understand that there is a demand for such a thing as colored stocks. Hell, I don't even like guns with desert tan or olive drab plastic stocks, but many people do. And of course they make pink guns with shiny glittery accents, target for the female market segment.

I would not like it at all if the metalwork was done up in matching colors, like a Nerf gun. Guns should look serious.

[kudzu22]

15. I don't have kids, but

My dad took me shooting starting around age 12. I got a BB gun somewhere around age 14. I didn't have a real gun of my own until I was in my 30s.

As others have said above, it depends on what you mean by "give". You could buy a youth rifle, which you keep in the safe and bring it out when you have a family range day. Technically it's the child's, but he/she doesn't have control over it. I probably wouldn't start them shooting before age 10. They need some concept of life & death before they can really understand what "this is dangerous" means.

Having a rifle of their own to have control over, that depends on the kid. I don't think 14 is too young if the kid is responsible. If they're an irresponsible brat, then 30 is still too young.

[hack89]

16. I started at 9 for both my kids.

and no, I do not think brightly painted guns are a good idea. They are not toys and should not look like toys.

[Recursion]

19. I have the same issue with the coloration

"Gun" and "toy" should be instantly distinguishable, for several reasons that seem pretty obvious.

[Eleanors38]

42. Female shooters, even as adults, use variations of pink quite often...

that the color scheme seems established, even mainstream. As a child we had cap guns and plastic battery-operated "burp" guns. None of the brothers wanted anything which didn't appear authentic.

By 9 or so we took practice shots from a .32 snubby & a .22, and accompanied our Dad on hunting trios, sans gun. By 12 we were hunting with a single shot .12 ga. Family gun, by 13 we were given brand-new shotguns & target .22s, and were charged with taking care of them.

I am intrigued with some of the color schemes, however. Waited a little long for eye-balling tiger-stripe rifles, I guess.

[pipoman]

18. It is cultural and regional in many ways

hunting and shooting sports, done safely, are a great activity for families to enjoy together. With all of the people who use XBox or teevee for a nanny, promoting family activities isn't a bad thing. Statistically hunting and shooting sports are no more dangerous than many other activities enjoyed by families.

That said, my kids were introduced to shooting at a young age. Were hunting with me and/or grandparents at 7 without carrying a gun..by 9 had small caliber youth .22 which was locked up when not in use..by 12 had a youth shotgun for shooting trap (we have a trap range on our property) and bird hunting, again locked up...shooting a high power deer rifle rifle by 14 and both shot their first deer by 16..One of my sons joined the marine corps at 18 and graduated boot camp as a pfc because of his 'expert' range score.

Neither of my sons (mid 20's and single) keep their guns at their homes. They still like shooting when they are home and sometimes come home for opening of pheasant season or for deer season. We have had great fun together across generational lines.

I realize that urbanites and others don't understand..I don't understand people with small children or grandchildren having a backyard pool without a 360 degree fence around it or people who encourage their kids to be involved in contact sports or ride ATVs or motocross..

[Tracer]

20. At age 9, I learned my gun lesson.

It was during the age of many Westerns on TV, and I thought that I was a suburban Annie Oakley.

I was at my uncle's inn in northern New Hampshire. There was a rifle leaning against a fireplace, and I picked it up and pointed it at my 5 year old cousin. My mother and aunt were horrified, and snatched it away, while telling me to never, ever point a gun at anyone.

Later on, to teach me a lesson, my father and uncles asked me if I'd like to do some target practice, and they took me out to the field and set up some cans on a fence.

They handed me a 12 gauge shotgun, told me how to aim and use it properly. Then let me shoot.

I pulled the trigger and the gun slammed into my shoulder and blew me backwards, flat on my back in the dirt.

I'll never forget that, nor the circle of uncles surrounding me as I lay there. Nor have I ever had the desire to shoot a gun since.

[Robb]

40. I like it. The "here, smoke the whole pack" method.

[aikoaiko]

21. I like 8 - 10 for my child

He's turning eight soon and I have confidence that he will follow instructions with close verbal and physical supervision of shooting. I'm thinking about getting him a crickett. We've been practicing basic skills with a nerf gun. We will not have access to the firearm where I am not next to him. The unloaded rifle will be locked securely at all other times with my firearms.

Ultimately I believe it is a parent's choice. I see kids on carts and atvs who are too young in my opinino. I see kids in the ocean who are too small for the current.

I do not think brightly colored guns are a problem. Mat black, shiney chrome, OD green, or pink, kids will be entralled with firearms.

[Eleanors38]

44. Last month at one if Austin's hippist coffee houses,

a mom and her pretty 7 yr old daughter sat across from me. Mother seemed antsy, daughter was happily playing with her gray beautifully detailed Abrams Tank. I smiled at them. Mother shook her head and murmured: "I don't understand, maybe it works both ways." I think I got the drift.

[Arctic Dave]

27. The biggest problem is the parent not the gun color.

The are instilling their derangment into their children to coincide with their fetish.

[gejohnston]

28. when I was eight,

two things happened. I got my single shot .22 (with the same rules others have mentioned.) and my oldest brother joined the local PD. My mom and sister in law did not allow the guns be loaded in the house, except for maybe his duty weapon. (living in Mayberry, we barely locked or doors, why would be keep the guns loaded?). He demonstrated that the .357 wasn't a toy to me and his step daughter by shooting a block of ice.

I don't know about problematic, I think they are hideous. When you are taught the difference, it doesn't matter what it looks like.

[Recursion]

31. I still think if it "looks like a toy" that's a problem, although subjective

It should be immediately obvious whether an object is a gun or a toy.

[gejohnston]

54. I agree with the "it should be obvious"

There is a pawn shop in the next town that had an AR design that someone finished in lavender. He had it refinished to black after too many people asked "why do I need a BGC for a paint ball gun".

The only "odd color" I would have is OD green. I think these colors are made for the US market. Never seen them in Canada or Europe. But then, It seems that European "gun nuts" (at least the ones I came across) consider them as gaudy and hideous as I do. I felt the same way about nickel plating back in the day. But then, I'm one of those old geezers that sometimes refer ARs and alike as "Mattel plastic shit".

[sigmasix]

30. We taught our daughters respect for others

My wife and I chose to teach our daughters about peace and charity when they were little. We taught our children many important facts about the way the world functions and the actions of those that would destroy peace and charity. I own a .357 and a .22 and we have explained gun safety to our daughters without teaching them to kill. They understand that my guns are for defense against NRA-type terrorists and gun fetish proponents. Our daughters know that violent felons and misogynysts have been armed by the NRA and they stay away from NRA members because of the very real danger they represent due to thier anti-american paranoia and need to arm violent felons. They also have reading, writng and math skills that are years ahead of thier contemporaries. They have enough intelligence to recognize when the conspiracy theories are being used to legitimize anti-American fear mongering and terrorizing. Maybe they should have spent thier formative years on a shooting range with an NRA-approved instructor and fear-based paranoid conspiracy theories. Why would a good parent subject thier children to right wing political and social hatred training?

[Go Vols]

37. I got my first gun at 8

It was a .410 and I could get it out when I went hunting with my father.At 10 - 12 I could go hunting after school on my own.My biggest worry getting to the woods was a 2000 lb. bull we had.At 12 or so I got a .20 gauge pump and a year or so later a .30.30 lever action rifle.

I personally don't get the fascination with "assault" style weapons or the "gun nut" people I see on youtube.

[Robb]

39. I've taught my daughter to "respect" guns in the same way you respect Drano and rabid dogs.

Should she need to learn to subsistence hunt, I'll offer additional training.

Otherwise, she can learn to shoot at the same place she learns to fly attack helicopters, if she chooses.

[cynatnite]

41. My issue was what if my son decided he wanted to get a gun on his own when he got older...

I don't see our society ever really changing the attitudes regarding guns in general. My husband grew up hunting. He and his brothers have always had guns since they were boys. If my son was going to wind up with a gun, I wanted him to understand and respect them. I agreed to allow him to have a BB gun. The husband wants to get him a .22 next year, but I'm still hesitant about it.

[ileus]

43. depends on how you define give.

Give as in here you go...keep it with the rest of your toys?

Or give as in here's your first combo for your 6th birthday, in the safe it goes. My kids have 3 guns in the safe.

He can go out to the garage and hop on his dirtbike. He just has to put on his chest protector, Thor boots, goggles, pants, jesery, gloves, and helmet.

They're also allowed on the hardpan with just a helmet on their road bikes.

Safety first.

[Lizzie Poppet]

47. That's how my folks handled it.

One gun I "owned" from birth (a legacy inheritance) and I got my first .22 at 7. They were locked in the gun safe until we went out shooting (which was always a closely supervised activity).

[dipsydoodle]

45. Toddler shooting tragedies could be prevented by arming 2 year-olds, insist NRA

After a two-year old was tragically shot by her five year-old brother using his child’s rifle, the NRA have insisted such tragedies could be prevented if all two-year olds were given their own rifle.

The incident took place in Kentucky in the US, where children having guns is about as common as their parents lacking teeth.

The NRA have been quick to offer a solution to such tragic incidents, insisting there is only one way to prevent them in future.

NRA spokesperson Wayne LaPierre explained, “It might have been an accident, but would he have pointed his child’s rifle at her if she’d been holding her own toddler rifle? Almost certainly not.”

http://newsthump.com/2013/05/02/toddler-shooting-tragedies-could-be-prevented-by-arming-2-year-olds-insist-nra/

[TheMightyFavog]

50. IMHO, no younger than 10.

Andeven then they'd still need extensive safety training.

[TheFutureWillCome]

52. I bought a bb gun

for my 8 year old nephew and he is only aloud to use it when I am there or his Father is there. It is locked up and only I got the key.

[Bake]

60. 4 or 5 is way too young. I saw that and just about lost it.

And I LIVE IN KENTUCKY!!!! Not out in the country, but still in KY.

Don't know what's an appropriate age--my initial reaction is AT LEAST teenaged.

Painted guns resemble toys for sure. That's a problem.

Bake

[eilen]

64. Hell, why not let them drive, smoke and store rat poison in their rooms too?

After all, they need to learn that a car is not a toy; self discipline with addictive substances builds character (plus, we don't need that many people on SS) and it's important to control vermin; all important life skills.

[Go Vols]

69. I did drive as a kid

got my DL at 14,any store I went in would sell cigs to kids.We didn't live in a house with rats,but bug spray and such was under the kitchen sink.

[otohara]

85. After What Adam Lanza Did

you'd think, just maybe parents would reconsider the whole give your kid a gun thing.

She thought her kid was doing just fine with his&her's arsenal of guns.

[smirkymonkey]

87. My head is spinning.