Appropriate Age for a Gun?

[Deleted member 848]

I don't understand the necessity of guns outside of hunting. Hunting is dope and ethical and (in many cases, when government-regulated) pretty good for biodiversity.

This whole "walk-to-the-grocery-store-with-a-gun-in-your-holster" is simply pure insanity to me. I seriously don't get it, you guys.

 

[bigb]

You are lucky. Sister of that 5 year old could still be alive today. I believe her dad regrets that decision every day for the rest of his miserable life. And how would that boy look back at family pictures later in life and try to process the thought of him missing a sister due to most irresponsible and absolutely unnecessary decision by his dad to buy a stupid gun?

The decision to buy the gun was not stupid. The act of leaving it where a five year old could get it, especially while loaded, was stupid (to say the least). Big difference.

 

[fishonjazz]

There may be a lot of truth in that.

Generally speaking you Americans have sick fetish towards the guns. It's like addiction, you guys are doomed and can't be cured.

My kids (especially my boys) are curious about guns. My it's our American lifestyle. I don't think so. I've always kept mine locked up in an out of the way spot where they don't see them. Like they don't even know they're looking at where they're locked up. I don't want cop shows or shoot'em up shows around them. And yet both my 6 year old daughter and 5 year old son knew it was a gun the first time my shirt lifted up and they say my handgun sticking out of the holster. Remember, it was nothing more than the grip and end of the slide they saw.
I'd much rather introduce them to find and teach them how they work, the damage they do, how to handle them, and what to do if they find one than have them be curious and pick one up not knowing what they're doing.

I agree with all of these.

If you don't teach your kids about guns at an early age then, since we live in America, there is a decent chance your kid will be around a gun at some point and I would prefer my child have some knowledge and respect in regards to guns in that situation.

 

[MVP]

The decision to buy the gun was not stupid. The act of leaving it where a five year old could get it, especially while loaded, was stupid (to say the least). Big difference.

Only American would think that buying a gun as birthday gift for 5 year old is not insane. Sorry would never ever agree with that.

 

[bigb]

I agree with all of these.

If you don't teach your kids about guns at an early age then, since we live in America, there is a decent chance your kid will be around a gun at some point and I would prefer my child have some knowledge and respect in regards to guns in that situation.

One of my earliest memories is being out hunting or just shooting with my dad. I couldn't have been older than 4 or 5. He took a shotgun and shoot a 2x4 at point blank range. He then illustrated how much damage it did to that solid object and asked how much more it would do to a soft human body. That point struck home.

 

[Deleted member 848]

America's only hope for gun-control is if Muslims & black Americans start toting guns en-masse.

One of my earliest memories is being out hunting or just shooting with my dad. I couldn't have been older than 4 or 5. He took a shotgun and shoot a 2x4 at point blank range. He then illustrated how much damage it did to that solid object and asked how much more it would do to a soft human body. That point struck home.

You're being very fair and honest, and I appreciate it. My only question is what is this "point" that struck home with you-- that guns are in fact dangerous? I'm not sure how learning that point would alter the trajectory of any child.

 

[bigb]

Only American would think that buying a gun as birthday gift for 5 year old is not insane. Sorry would never ever agree with that.

Only someone uneducated would fail to see the difference in buying a BB gun and another type of gun for a 5 year old. Besides, no one here is advocating buying the kid a high powered rifle and letting roam the neighborhood with it. Context, dude.

 

[MVP]

Only someone uneducated would fail to see the difference in buying a BB gun and another type of gun for a 5 year old. Besides, no one here is advocating buying the kid a high powered rifle and letting roam the neighborhood with it. Context, dude.

Any gun is a gun. What kind of message it is sending to the kid? What if he shots other kid in the eye and blinds him for life. Stupid, irresponsible, dangerous and should be outlawed. You need to be 18 to smoke, 21 to drink and yet no age limits to have a gun? Most idiotic country when it comes to guns in the world.

 

[bigb]

America's only hope for gun-control is if Muslims & black Americans start toting guns en-masse.

I'm not surprised you would mention that. I disagree, though, unless by "gun control" you mean "everyone carries"; because I think that would be the case.

You're being very fair and honest, and I appreciate it. My only question is what is this "point" that struck home with you-- that guns are in fact dangerous? I'm not sure how learning that point would alter the trajectory of any child.

You don't think seeing the damage a real gun will do first hand would alter the gun related trajectory of a child? You're smarter than that dude.

 

[fishonjazz]

America's only hope for gun-control is if Muslims & black Americans start toting guns en-masse.



You're being very fair and honest, and I appreciate it. My only question is what is this "point" that struck home with you-- that guns are in fact dangerous? I'm not sure how learning that point would alter the trajectory of any child.

Due to movies, video games, toy guns etc, some kids see guns as a toy or just a common element in culture/life.
Maybe an up close and personal demonstration from a trusted and loved parent could provide some gravity and seriousness about what a gun is really capable of.
Instill some fear, respect, and knowledge about guns rather than just learning about them through entertainment where they may be taught that guns are simply fun and cool.

 

[Boris]

Due to movies, video games, toy guns etc, some kids see guns as a toy or just a common element in culture/life.
Maybe an up close and personal demonstration from a trusted and loved parent could provide some gravity and seriousness about what a gun is really capable of.
Instill some fear, respect, and knowledge about guns rather than just learning about them through entertainment where they may be taught that guns are simply fun and cool.

Boris can not agree with this. I see opposite. When do movies use guns as toys of joyful laughter an playtime? Movies use guns as a force for violence. If anything this is what scares the crap out of people like [MENTION=1878]MVP[/MENTION]. He probably watched too many war movies an gangster movies an now has a life long condition called a phobia.

This is similar to people who will not fly on planes like John Madden cause they perceive danger that is not real.

 

[Game6Conley]

I'm in my late 20's and still can't foresee a plausible scenario where I'd need a gun. If I have kids I'll teach them how to box, not shoot.

The extent of my gun use/shooting was getting my rifle merit badge in boyscouts.