Guns made for kids: How young is too young to shoot?

[OakRidgeStars]

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05 ... g-to-shoot

[TonfaSartan]

The problem isn't the size or ergonomics of the firearm. It's bad/non-existant parenting. Who the hell gives a 5 year old unsupervised access to firearms and ammo?

I picked up a Crickett for my daughter a few years ago and unless we are having a firearms safety lesson, it stays secured as does the ammo. As with so many issues involved with the gun debate, this is about irresponsible or absentee parenting, not the firearm.

[SHMIV]

Infants. Infants are too young to shoot.

I'd say that once the child can master walking, and can reach the trigger, the child is capable of shooting.

I gave my son a bb gun, once. I gave him the whole safety rundown, and still, he got excited when he hit the target and turned to me, pointing that gun right at me. So, I smacked him. Hard. And, we were done for the day.

It hurt him, because I smacked him hard enough to knock him down. A few minutes later he was fine, and he's hesitant to point toy guns at people, now. This was years ago, but he learned an important lesson that day. By giving him some temporary pain, I have saved him the mental anguish of accidentally shooting a loved one.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[ShotgunBlast]

I don't have kids, but I would think if the child can walk, handle the firearm, and manipulate it in a safe manner than they're ok to shoot in a supervised manner.

Nutnfancy has a great 2-part series about children and guns.

[VBshooter]

SHMIV wrote;

I gave my son a bb gun, once. I gave him the whole safety rundown, and still, he got excited when he hit the target and turned to me, pointing that gun right at me. So, I smacked him. Hard. And, we were done for the day.

Agree fully.. My old man and brother both taught me that same lesson when I was about 5 and it stuck. Kids need to know that even toy guns shouldn't be pointed at people Safety is priority always,,

[TacticalMom]

My husband and I have decided 6 is the age in which we will allow our children to get their own if they are so inclined. We believe 5 and under they are just to little to understand the severe consequences to their actions. They may know its bad, but not understand that they can kill some one and "make them go away forever". We are teaching them the safety, and safe handling practice now, while we are handling them. However, they are not and will never be left alone with one till we are sure that they are competent. We keep the guns, and the ammo locked up.

[gunderwood]

Infants. Infants are too young to shoot.

I'd say that once the child can master walking, and can reach the trigger, the child is capable of shooting.

+1

When the child takes an interest, it's time to start teaching them. At a very young age they may not be able to completely operate the firearm on their own (nor would you want to let them), but you'll be surprised how quick they pick upon the concept. 3-5yr olds can shoot with an adult actually handling the firearm.

Edit: I helped my 3yr old nieces shoot a cricket last month. They were very excited and had a blast.

[mamabearCali]

First rubber band gun at 4 or 5 (fun and very very low risk). Then as interest and maturity increases airsoft, paintballs, then 22. Etc etc. obviously everything stays under parental supervision until maturity is up to speed.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[VACoastie]

I gave my son a bb gun, once. I gave him the whole safety rundown, and still, he got excited when he hit the target and turned to me, pointing that gun right at me. So, I smacked him. Hard. And, we were done for the day.

Sounds reminiscent of a lesson I learned as a kid as well.

For my step-child, I won't allow her to shoot until at least 12, and that'll be with a bb gun. I'll bring her to the range and watch me shoot. I'll show her how to properly handle a weapon. I will not allow her to fire it however until that age.

Reasons behind these thing:
1) IF it is needed she'll know how to load and rack a gun. Any monkey can pull a trigger, I don't need to teach her that. Any intruder will not be dumb to stick around with lead flying at them, regardless if it landing on target or not.

2) I don't feel like she needs the skill. If she's going somewhere it'll be with me or my wife and one or both of us will be armed or have some type of deterrent.

3) Kids are just damned irresponsible. My kid is 6 now, way more mature than 95% of the kids at her school in her grade. I still have to be on her about taking a bath on time, brushing her hair when she's done and all that. If she can't remember to brush her hair - she's too young to handle any kind of weapon and that's just plain and simple. Once she learns what chores are, fully understands consequences, and shows me that she's ready - then and only then will she learn.

I was 10 when I got my bb gun. I shot at the shed, I shot at birds, I shot at trees... lots of dumb stuff. I learned never to point it at people after the lesson that SHMIV gave his kid was also given to me. But then again, I was raised around hunters and guns growing up so I understood the lessons and practicality of guns growing up. Lil' missy here hasn't had that because Puerto Rico sucks for gun laws, there's no hunting here, so she has to be immersed into that culture (which she will be by me) and understand what's going on.

[RWBlue01]

If they don't understand what death is, then they are too young.

[graybeard321]

I started teaching my kids and my grandkids at 5. Taught them gun safty first, then to shoot.

[gunderwood]

If they don't understand what death is, then they are too young.

I'm not sure even many adults really understand death until they've had people close to them (e.g. parents, siblings, etc.) die. Even then death is a difficult concept.

In any case, children do a variety of other dangerous activities. Many children swim and yet many drown each year too, more than guns at least. Children swimming with adult supervision is good, but without is a tragedy waiting to happen. The same is true of riding bikes. Children died while riding a bike from head injuries, so helmets became popular. Children are still dying from riding their bikes into the street and getting struck by cars.

Regardless of the activity, children must be supervised by a competent adult. You wouldn't leave your young child to swim alone, don't leave them with firearms alone. As they get older and learn the rules, such as don't ride in the street, they gradually earn more freedom. It's not that they magically understand death, but rather than they are competent and obedient enough to safely ride their bikes (or whatever) within the safety rules provided. Even then all children get into some trouble by breaking those very rules; some more than others.

It's getting less common due to the urbanization of our society, but it was not uncommon even a few decades ago to find ~10yr olds hunting squirrels (usually to eat for dinner that night) on their own with .22lr rifles. By and large they did just fine because they were trained and mature enough to handle it. Many teenagers in high school use to take their deer rifles to school and hit the woods...schools often let out early to accommodate this and even canceled a whole day for Opening Day. These were teenagers with hunting rifles 2-3x of the "power" of an "evil" AR15. Again, trained and mature they generally did fine. However, just like adults, there were still accidents and some children misbehaved as always.

Just some food for thought.