You've got a gun?
Appropriate Age for a Gun?
- Thread starter JazzGal
- Start date
You've got a gun?
fgcamel
Well-Known Member
No. Never have. But I know plenty of people that do.
♪alt13
Well-Known Member
It depends on the kid(and even more so the parents) but most seem to be ready for a BB gun when they are 5. I got my BB gun(still have it)when I was 5. My daughter got one when she was 5. Then again there are other kids that are 10 who I wouldn't even buy them a Nerf gun.
In NZ, apart from hunting, why would a child need to learn how to handle a gun?
And how many NZ parents currently do this?
♪alt13
Well-Known Member
I think that proper gun training can teach a child responsibility, humility, respect, and awareness in a way that few other activities can match.
fgcamel
Well-Known Member
Well I grew up in a rural area, so I had mates that went hunting, particularly duck shooting, very frequently. And trap shooting was quite popular. Possum culls were another one. Obviously there is no absolute need to use a gun, but it is still a very enjoyable and safe leisure activity, and I don't have a problem with people of all ages to engage safely.
How many NZ parents I wouldn't have a clue. It is well regulated though I'm pretty sure.
Yah that's why I said 'apart from hunting'. I've always lived in the city and taking children to gun/rifle range isn't at all typical.
I'd be surprised if more than 5% of all NZ city dwellers have ever held a gun.
There's a difference in not believing in it and not allowing someone else to do it. When you say "infinity", or comes across that you don't think anybody should ever have a gun of any kind. I personally don't believe in smoking, but I recognize others do and I support their right and ability to do so responsibly.
I do support everybody's rights to do it whatever they want as long as it's in accordance with each country's Laws. Apologies if it came across otherwise.
For me though, with how I've been brought up, and where I am in the world, I personally don't see the need in introducing a child to guns.
In another place, another time, that would probably change though.
fgcamel
Well-Known Member
I think it's just a case of having the confidence in being able to expose them to it in a controlled environment where they learn to do everything the right way, rather than picking it up themselves one day when they are older. I mean in this particular example, there seems to be little doubt they will be around guns all throughout growing up, regardless of whether they get their own one now.
Ah ok, yes in this example as it relates to a child in the US. I was just surprised with your response from a NZ perspective, is all.
fgcamel
Well-Known Member
Lol fair enough, it's like apples and oranges comparing guns in nz and the US. I think they are still more popular here than you think though. It's just that you'd never ever see one in a city.