Running Gun Blues

Townhallcom ^ | January 23, 2005 | Paul Jacob

[lolhelp]

So what have you done to educate your 13 year old? Can't have a lib in the house, you know.

[nothingnew]

Good article. Thanks for posting. Reminds me to feel good about myself today for teaching my twin daughters how to shoot, many many years ago.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Felis_irritable]

Sounds to me like he needs to de-program the 13-year-old next.

[patton]

My nine-yo has a gun - and it is most definately not a toy.

Not by $1,000, anyway.

Well, ok - he is ten - but he has had the gun for a while...

LOL

[rellimpank]

---as sort of an aside to this , I went to a so-called "gunshow" in Las Vegas yesterday at which there were probably as many of the realistic looking toy guns amid the jerky, camo clothes, gold-platers,etc., as there were genuine firearms--

[rockrr]

I'll have to make this a short post, I'm getting ready to take my 12 YO daughter to the range..........

[GrandEagle]

Thanks for the post.
My 9 year old got her first sidearm last year. A .22 Single action revolver. She loves shooting it. She takes care of it herself, loading and shooting, complete with dis assembly and cleanup.
She also enjoys my CAR15. The collapsable stock allows us to adjust it just right for her.
This summer my 5 year old daughter will make her first trip to the range where she gets to fire.

I've not noticed any anti social behavior from either of them.

[SJSAMPLE]

I'm counting the years before my 3 and 5 year-old girls are ready. I've got Ruger 10/22 and a Colt Carbine ready for them ;)

[Gritty]

Sounds to me like he needs to de-program the 13-year-old next.

For sure. That just goes to show what strong effect the anti-gun culture has on young minds, not to mention the b@ll-less toy stores who refuse to carry toy guns. It's a PC thing which needs to be turned around quickly or we'll never win the war against this unAmerican culture.

[GrandEagle]

They do have SO much fun!
My 9 year old pretty much runs on auto pilot while were at the range. I do keep a very close eye on her.
My 5 year old has been asking for a while when she could go shooting with us. I didn't have anything with a stock short enough for her but I think she will Be able to handle the CAR this summer.
My 9 yo wanted a pistol for several years but I didn't have a small enough caliber with a long enough barrel. Thats why I bought her the .22 revolver. The barrel has to be long ehough that she can't accidentally get her finger in front of the barrel and pull the trigger at the same time.
I've got two more in the "queue". A 2 year old and a 1 year old.

We have always had a rule that they could see and handle my firearms any time they want as long as they ask and are handed them by me. They are forbidden to touch them unless I personally hand it to them. Every once in a while I test them by "accidentally" leaving out my carry weapon. (completely unloaded of course). So far every time they have come and gotten me without laying a finger on it.
I think that having a legitimate way to satisfy their natural curiosity will keep them from handling a weapon when they shouldn't. Seems to have worked so far.
Of course attitude also plays a big part. A firearm is no big deal.

Have fun with your children,
Regards,
GE

[Gritty]

Don't you have a Bang List for articles like this?

[Lurker]

There ya go.

L

[Lurker]

I just ordered the adjustable stock for my CAR so my 10 year old can crank off a few.

Excellent idea on the .22 revolver. I'll admit I hadn't considered that for him. Now it's between that and one of those Chipmunk rifles.

He's rather small statured, so I have to pick carefully.

L

[Redcloak]

One of the best times I've ever had shooting was when I took my daughter (Then 7-years old) to the range.

I sat her down at the bench with the Winchester 67A I learned to shoot as a kid. She was apprehensive as she pointed the rifle down range and squeezed the trigger. She sat there for a second, then a little smile appeared, and she asked "Can I shoot another one, Daddy?". She went through three boxes of .22 ammo that day and would have kept on shooting if we'd had more time.

[dd5339]

My now 3 year old had a Remington 514 in the safe before she was ever conceived. My 19 month old son was about 6 months old before we ever found him his 514. And when our surprise child came along we found her a 514 about 3 months before she made her arrival.

The older two kids each got western style cap guns for Christmas, complete with holsters and roll caps! Boy did I get some evil looks in the WalMart check out line!

Semper Fi

[NerdDad]

"I didn't have anything with a stock short enough for her"

Still have the 16 guage break-over that was my first gun. Dad cut 4 inches off the stock then put it back on in pieces as I grew into it. Get her the gun and get a gunsmith to help with the stock if needed. She'll treasure it and the memories.

That gun along with the Model 1911 (note: not 1911A) he gave me are among my most prized possessions. My brother stole and pawned the .35 cal auto and .22 cal Springfield trainer so those guns and many, many good memories are about all I have left from my dad.

You are correct. When a child is properly trained (the lessons just didn't take with my little brother), a gun is no big deal. You are doing well.

[Joe Brower]

"Don't you have a Bang List for articles like this?"

I maintain a private RKBA list for articles of particular note, important legislation, immediate action and other things that I deem of high enough value. For most things, the "bang_list" keyword is sufficient.

[GrandEagle]

Excellent idea on the .22 revolver.
One thing to watch is the tendency to tip the barrel up toward their head when cocking the single action hammer. A little training and she mastered it well.

GE

[GrandEagle]

Dad cut 4 inches off the stock
Excellent idea! Thanks!
GE