One thing that totally amazes me about America (well, certain regions in America at least) is that guns are considered such a normal everyday tool that even children are provided with guns. The other day, I even heard that there exist certain rifle models that are designed for kids and advertized as such.
Being European, this is culturally totally alien to me. And it strikes me as completely insane, no matter how I turn it. I bet the reaction of most of my fellow countrymen is similar. When there were cases in the news about 4 or 5 year old American kids shooting their younger siblings with guns their parents had given them, that was just one big "I told you so"-moment, as horrible as these cases are. I really think the parents should go to jail for this irresponsibility.
Seriously: How can anybody give a child a gun? How stupid can one be? Guns are not for kids, period.
Or do you seriously think kids should have access to deadly weapons that can kill in an instant and are exclusively designed for that purpose, but are not responsible enough to drive before they turn 16, or to drink alcohol before they turn 18/21?! (Or to have consensual safe sex, for that matter.) That simply does not compute.
So what do you think? Which age is appropriate for kids to have access to guns?
Hi German Guy. I'm one of those idiots that gives kids guns. :mrgreen:
To be precise, though, the question is far more complex than you've framed it.
It is actually several questions...
1. When is a child old enough to handle firearms in the presence of/under the tutelage of a responsible adult? (not on the own you see)
2. When is a child old enough to be allowed access to firearms unsupervised on private property? (ie in the home, on the farm)
3. When is a person old enough to buy or possess firearms unrestricted as an adult?
4. When is a person old enough to carry a firearm in public places, as in concealed carry?
I've never simply handed a child a gun and said "here, go play", or had them open a present on Christmas that was a .44 magnum and said "here's the bullets, keep it in your sock drawer..."
No. That WOULD be irresponsible and insane.
However, I
taught my son (indeed, quite a number of children over the years), firearms safety and marksmanship beginning from age 4,
under close and careful supervision.
It is not unusual locally for children to learn to use firearms between the age of 6 and 10 under adult supervision. Many begin hunting between 6 and 12, under adult supervision.
I've known many young fellows in that age range who were already pretty good marksmen, and sufficiently meticulous in their gunhandling that I did not feel they were in any way unsafe...
under proper adult supervision.
My son could recite the Three Rules of Safe Gunhandling in his sleep long before he ever needed to shave.
Numbers 1 and 2 are the parent's responsibility to decide. There HAVE been children (of other people) I have been asked to teach basic safety and marksmanship to, and after talking with the child I declined and told the parent "he is not ready; let's talk again in a year or two". I will NOT teach them unless I see three things: 1. They will take the matter seriously and can be made to understand that guns are dangerous.... 2. They will OBEY my commands when we are shooting at targets... and 3. That they have been taught the fundamentals of moral and ethical behavior by their parents and understand that it is wrong to harm others absent necessity.
Some children may be suitable to be taught (under careful supervision) at 4 or 5, some at 6 or 8.... some not until they are older, and some IMHO will be waiting for a cold day in Hades before I teach them squat.
Depends. Driving a car is also dangerous. So is operating a skid-loader (Bobcat) which I taught my son to run at age 9, or cutting down trees with a chainsaw which he was allowed to do at 12.
OTOH hand I've met 12yo's I would not trust with a pointy screwdriver. Depends.
As a society, we allow purchase and unsupervised access to long arms at 18, and pistols at 21, by matter of law. As to being allowed access on private property (at home for instance).... that's a family matter and one to be determined with great care.
I realize, GG, that this is a very alien thing to you.... I wonder if you can open up your mind well enough to see that we've been doing it in parts of America for literally centuries and in 99.99% of cases no tragedy or disaster occurs?
The tragedies and disasters are rarities. Indeed, usually when a child accidentally shoots another child it is in a home where guns were kept but the child was NOT taught gun safety or allowed to shoot... it is well established that ignorance is a killer.