Re: When to introduce guns to children?

Thanks. I will start with a BB gun. BBs make great adult toys also!

i

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, A.T. Hagan wrote:
> On 3 Dec 2003 21:22:28 GMT, Ignoramus11065
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>>How would you determine when it is appropriate to introduce children
>>to guns? 
>>
>>Obviously, the determinant of that should be maturity and
>>developmental level of the child and not some arbitrary age. But what
>>would constitute a child who is mature enough to be introduced to
>>guns?
>>
>>What is a good way to introduce children to guns while at the same
>>time maintaining safety of that learning environment, and avoiding
>>injury or death.
>>
>>I know some 12 year olds who hunt and seem to be relatively
>>responsible around guns, for example.
>>
>>Would such introduction begin with BB guns at some earlier age? With
>>BBs, the "stakes" are a little lower in that an accidental shot,
>>however regrettable, does not end in death as often as an accidental
>>gunshot. 
>>
>>Do you take them to shooting places with letting them shoot, for some
>>time? (sounds like a bad idea). Do you hold safety classes with them
>>prior to letting them shoot, for quite a while, making sure that
>>safety habits are well drilled in? Any thoughts on this will be
>>appreciated.
>>
>>i
> 
> I've trimmed the parenting and kids newsgroups since I know you read
> m.s and I don't care to get into some harangue about this subject.
> 
> When to introduce a child to firearms is a good question.  It's been
> on my mind lately since my daughter is now four and is coming right
> along.
> 
> In her case she'll get her first real firearm, a Chipmunk .22 single
> shot, for her fifth birthday next year.  I'm judging she'll be big
> enough to be able to physically hold it properly and coordinated
> enough to have some chance of hitting her target then.  Of course,
> she'll be fully and constantly supervised while she is using the
> rifle, but it'll be hers and she'll be expected to follow the rules of
> gun safety.  We'll be using .22 CB long caps initially since we'll
> only be shooting fairly at short ranges and with those we'll be able
> to shoot at the house.
> 
> But that's next year.  Right now she's watched the NRA's Eddy Eagle
> tape many times.  In fact, she's asked to watch it at least five or
> six times that I can think of over and above the times I made her
> watch it.  She knows the whole little jingle (stop, don't touch, leave
> the area, tell an adult) and we've discussed what it really means so
> that I can be sure she understands what she's saying rather than
> merely parroting the song.  I've been rather surprised and gratified
> with her progress.
> 
> This led me last weekend to buying her a rubber band rifle.  It's one
> of those multi-shot things that uses the long, red rubber bands.  I've
> seen them around for years, but this time the woman running the stand
> caught my attention as she had a nice little gun safety program worked
> out using the toys.  It'll be a nice segue from Eddy to something
> hands on.  Of course, she'll play with the toy, but before I let her
> have it we'll go over all the rules of safe gun handling and I'll be
> watching her to make sure she doesn't flout them.  When she does I put
> the toy into time out for a while then give it back to her until she
> gets the idea of what I'm trying to communicate.  This particular
> model is sufficiently like the Chipmunk in shape that she should be
> able to transition over without too much difficulty.  I bought a
> little plastic spinner target for her to shoot at and it's got enough
> zap to it to knock over empty soda cans and the like.  It'll be a good
> in the house toy now that the weather's getting cold.
> 
> Eventually I'll give her a BB gun, but that will have to wait until
> she's physically able to cock one by herself and after she's
> demonstrated to me with her rubber band rifle and her supervised use
> of her .22 that she can be trusted to go outside by herself with it.
> I know she'll eventually screw up and shoot something she shouldn't
> and we'll have one of those teachable moments they discuss in the NRA
> instructors courses for her to learn better.  Just so long as she
> doesn't hurt herself or someone else with it.
> 
> This is the general plan for all of my children.  When they show an
> interest and demonstrate both an ability and sufficient responsibility
> they'll each get their own BB gun, .22 rifle, and so on.  Handguns
> will be a bit later since they're physically more difficult to use.  I
> certainly have no intentions of teaching them to fear any weapon, but
> I will demand they show proper respect for them and demonstrate
> responsibility.  Whether they show any real interest in actually
> shooting them will be up to them.  I'll give them the opportunity and
> make them safe with them.  
> 
> .....Alan.
> 
>