Air rifles are a rite of passage for young boys. As a gift from parents it denotes a certain trust in the boy by the parents. It also signifies responsibility, that the boy will be responsible terrorizing only tin cans as only an air rifle can.
It assists the boy in learning basic rifle safety and marksmanship skills. It gets the kid outdoors and away from neeentendo. It also brings a father and son together as little else can.
In respect for the Viking Kitties I will not mention what I use my air rifle for.
It is indeed a mark of responsibility and trust for a young person to have a powerful tool like a gun (air or otherwise). It would appear that confidence and competence are the last things the libs want young men to have.