Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

My son is 12. His father is allowing him to operate an M4 semi-automatic assault riffle. My son has has no gun safety training. My son is on the autism spectrum, has impulse control issues, and other issues. In VA are there any laws that prohibit a minor from shooting something like that?

You are describing your son? You are the law...end of discussion.

His father and I are divorced. My ex just does what he wants. I strongly feel my son should not handle a gun. I read different parts of the law and am not clear if I can stop this. I'm just hoping someone with firearm experience understand the law and can assist me with an answer.

What you want is someone to back your opinion that your son shouldn't be shooting, and correspond that with a statute or law.

Won't happen here. There isn't a law to back up your opinion. If your ex husband is teaching him to shoot, and is well aware of his special needs, then he's learning gun safety. To that wit, my girlfriend's son has Aspbergers, and "impulse controls", and he's been fine for years. Because we taught him "gun safety" as a team.

And there is no such thing as an "M4 semi-automatic assault riffle", if it's an "M4 assault rifle", it's military, and it's fully auto. If it's semi-auto, it's either an AR-15, or a variant. Which tells me you do not like firearms of that nature.

You've 2 posts, and both times you've bristled my feathers. I do not trust you. Period.

Reverenddel wrote:What you want is someone to back your opinion that your son shouldn't be shooting, and correspond that with a statute or law.

Won't happen here. There isn't a law to back up your opinion. If your ex husband is teaching him to shoot, and is well aware of his special needs, then he's learning gun safety. To that wit, my girlfriend's son has Aspbergers, and "impulse controls", and he's been fine for years. Because we taught him "gun safety" as a team.

And there is no such thing as an "M4 semi-automatic assault riffle", if it's an "M4 assault rifle", it's military, and it's fully auto. If it's semi-auto, it's either an AR-15, or a variant. Which tells me you do not like firearms of that nature.

You've 2 posts, and both times you've bristled my feathers. I do not trust you. Period.

Beat me to it.

You are on a pro fun forum looking for something to use against your ex.

The shooting sports can be very therapeutic and stress relieving. The release of endorphin caused by the excitment may be good for your son. I know it helps my spectrum child. As long as he is being taught in a safe environment with safe practices be happy for him.

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I am a mom and I have a special needs son. I understand that you aren't fond of weapons. They can certainly seem threatening.


However with proper training and supervision your son can learn to enjoy shooting sports. It is far better that guns are demystified and take their proper place anoung the dangerous tools that your son will encounter in his life. If he learns how to handle them he will be much better off.

I suggest you and your ex work on co-parenting. This is really no different than any other semi dangerous sport like football or motorcross. It is actually similar in danger level to working with power tools.

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You guys are posting excellent responses as always, but Rev called it. This is obvious troll bait. Unless I'm convinced the OP is legit, we should treat it as highly suspect. Especially given the events of the last 24 hours.

I am generally inclined to give folks the benefit of the doubt. The OP may be a troll, or she may not be. Either way, we have nothing to hide, no secret agenda, and we can, therefore, give our opinions on the situation openly and in a civil manner, without having to express any opinion, really, on the OP, herself.

I do understand the viewpoints of Rev, ORS, and CW. And, I do not blame anyone for their suspicion.

However, I am going to operate under the assumption that the OP is not a firearm enthusiast, and is, therefore, misinformed on firearms in general. Many people are misinformed, without being vehemently anti-gun.

OP, please go take a firearm safety course, a concealed carry course, and maybe a few defensive firearms courses. You will learn much, and you may find that some of your fears are eased. Also, it will give you a new skill. One can never have too many skills. You will be able to join your child in a new sport, as well. Trust me on this; you will not regret it.

I suggest, too, OP, that you take the advice of MamaBear, and put forth an effort to co-parent. You do not have to like your ex, but your child will be far better off, if he doesn't have to witness hatred between his parents. I speak from experience, here.

Lastly, it it my belief that responsible parents teach their children how to safely use firearms. If more parents taught their children about gun safety, and how to safely handle and use firearms, so many accidental shootings could be avoided, all together. Myself, I learned at about 4 or 5 years of age; I probably would have learned younger, but my mother likely objected. Though, now, my mother is far more gun friendly. Over the past few years, she has gone from being a little gun-shy, to having her carry permit and carrying regularly.

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When I read "My son is on the autism spectrum, has impulse control issues, and other issues." in the OP, I immediately thought about Adam Lanza and Sandy Hook.

Then I read in the response "His father and I are divorced. My ex just does what he wants.", and I thought, "if she got a divorce, she's got a lawyer, and she should call him". Next thought was "This is either a troll or a domestic relations p!ssing match, and either way, the only proper response to this is to not make one." So I didn't. Pappy's dad used to say, "When you hear nothing, say nothing."

Reverenddel wrote:What you want is someone to back your opinion that your son shouldn't be shooting, and correspond that with a statute or law.

Won't happen here. There isn't a law to back up your opinion. If your ex husband is teaching him to shoot, and is well aware of his special needs, then he's learning gun safety. To that wit, my girlfriend's son has Aspbergers, and "impulse controls", and he's been fine for years. Because we taught him "gun safety" as a team.

And there is no such thing as an "M4 semi-automatic assault riffle", if it's an "M4 assault rifle", it's military, and it's fully auto. If it's semi-auto, it's either an AR-15, or a variant. Which tells me you do not like firearms of that nature.

You've 2 posts, and both times you've bristled my feathers. I do not trust you. Period.

My ex said he was shooting a M4. I am on this forum to learn about guns and gun laws. I plan to take a class with my son at the NRA. I am not anti-gun, but I am uneducated on guns so I am trying to learn so I can make decisions moving forward.

cwfunrider wrote:

Reverenddel wrote: The shooting sports can be very therapeutic and stress relieving. The release of endorphin caused by the excitment may be good for your son. I know it helps my spectrum child. As long as he is being taught in a safe environment with safe practices be happy for him.

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Interesting perspective and good to hear. I'm not against guns. I just don't care for 12 year olds with no training going in a back yard with people drinking firing off a M4. I defiantly would consider going to a range. You bring up a good point regarding the endorphins. Thanks.

OakRidgeStars wrote:You guys are posting excellent responses as always, but Rev called it. This is obvious troll bait. Unless I'm convinced the OP is legit, we should treat it as highly suspect. Especially given the events of the last 24 hours.

I'm simply a concerned mom trying to learn more about the sport. Thanks for being so welcoming I was simply trying to understand laws and types of guns better by joining this site.

The way you broach things is first read through things, and see how they would sound.

It's like the scene from "Weird Science" with Gary asking a buncha grown men "How do you get along with your parents". You just went from Awkward to "I do not trust you".

Tone, and attitude makes a WORLD of difference when every time we open a news article, watch a Tv broadcast, or read something from a Congressmen (Especially OUR two who openly hate gun owners)...

That WE... are the bad guys. We aren't anything. We're simply people who go to work, try to get along with others, and do what's necessary to keep what little civil rights we haven't already lost.

Coming at us like you want a "Gotcha! Law" to put your ex into place? Not the way to win friends, and influence people.

So... here is what leads to trust issues...

His father and I are divorced.

I never met a divorced couple where where one or both people were not horribly jaded. So, by default, I'm skeptical of anything that follows.



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My ex just does what he wants.

In VA are there any laws that prohibit a minor from shooting something like that?

I read different parts of the law and am not clear if I can stop this.

Reads to me as, you're mad that he is doing what he wants, so you want to know if there are laws so you can force him to do what you want.



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I strongly feel my son should not handle a gun.

I plan to take a class with my son at the NRA.

So, which is it?



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I am on this forum to learn about guns and gun laws.

Everything you posted so far seems more like trying to control your ex., not learning about guns. So, we are off to a bad start.


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I am not anti-gun, but I am uneducated on guns so I am trying to learn

I'm simply a concerned mom trying to learn more about the sport.

I was simply trying to understand laws and types of guns better by joining this site.

I don't believe you because you said...

His father is allowing him to operate an M4 semi-automatic assault riffle.

... and after we explained to you that the rifle can't be an M4 if its semi-auto, you insist on calling it an M4.

My ex said he was shooting a M4

I just don't care for 12 year olds with no training going in a back yard with people drinking firing off a M4

So, hopefully, you can see where the concern comes in.



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I can't speak for everyone, but I am more than happy to help you learn about firearms, what rights you have as an owner and how you and your son can also enjoy time together in the sport. However, I am not going to help you screw your ex-husband out of enjoying a great sport with your son solely because he's your ex and you think its a bad idea. Its your family and you need to handle your business.

Now, if you do want advice there, IMHO, just because you and your ex are separated, that doesn't exonerate, exclude or excuse anyone from being a positive part of your child's life and raising that child together. Talk to your ex-husband, both of you keep tempers cool, and have a convo about what's right for your child. But don't drag that crap onto the internet with a bunch of strangers. Not healthy for anyone.

dorminWS wrote:When I read "My son is on the autism spectrum, has impulse control issues, and other issues." in the OP, I immediately thought about Adam Lanza and Sandy Hook.

Then I read in the response "His father and I are divorced. My ex just does what he wants.", and I thought, "if she got a divorce, she's got a lawyer, and she should call him". Next thought was "This is either a troll or a domestic relations p!ssing match, and either way, the only proper response to this is to not make one." So I didn't. Pappy's dad used to say, "When you hear nothing, say nothing."

I don't have a lawyer. From day 1 I agreed to 50/50 custody. I have always protected the father son relationship. I just want to understand the law and make sure if my son is shooting guns everything is on the up and up. For example I thought maybe there were laws that a child is required to take a gun safety class or a child has to only use certain guns, etc. I don't want my son doing stuff that can land him in trouble.

Alright sorry for trying to learn from gun owners on gun laws. I thought I could learn about other guns and someone would suggest a class or something. I thought people would shed some light on something I know nothing about. I was hoping for some insight. Sorry I'll delete my account when I get to a computer.

Calm down mac,take a breath and start over.this is a very good group of men and women willing to help you out.give us a chance.take care

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I'm calm.

Taking a couple of basic NRA gun courses is a great idea even if you're leaning toward being anti or not.
A little knowledge can remove A LOT of dangerous ignorance.
Learning the basics of the various handgun and long gun actions give you the knowledge and skills to safely unload (childproof) any type/brand of firearm.
Just like automobiles, the basic controls are all in the same places on each brand/design (with the exception of the lack of a manual safety on Glock style pistols which I consider accidents waiting to happen) so dropping the magazine and removing the "Barney" round or opening a cylinder and ejecting all cartridges are transferable skills.

This comes to mind as NOT a way to deal with an unwanted firearm.


BTW - Years ago I was a Certified NRA Basic Pistol and Basic Rifle Instructor.