I guess that scrubs Texas from my list of possible retirement sites. Too bad, as that is where I "was" hoping to retire, SPECIFICALLY because it seemed the state that was most understanding of the right to keep and bear arms, and personal freedom--compared to most of the rest of the US.
The idea that there is a SPECIFIC AGE at which one magically becomes "capable" of understanding firearms safety and use is simply ludicrous. I fired my first shots at age 5 (litereally with my father's hands over mine), and had my first personal firearm at age 9 (single-shot .410). Of course, I had "BB" and "pump" airguns before then--"BB" at age 6, and "pump" at age 8. Never had an accident, and never ever came close to having one, as I had been "safety and use" trained from 5 up.
My brother likewise (he was four years younger), except that his first firearm was a single-shot .22 rifle.
The earlier training starts, the better trained they will be.
IMHO, it still is. Myself included, I know more folks who own firearms than those who do not.
The idea that there is a SPECIFIC AGE at which one magically becomes "capable" of understanding firearms safety and use is simply ludicrous. I fired my first shots at age 5 . . .
A specific age may certainly be difficult to define, but it is not ludicrous. Handing over a firearm to a nine year old or a five year old makes no sense. Others, such as yourself, disagree.
The earlier training starts, the better trained they will be.
And here is where we will never agree.
Since I no longer have little babies or grandbabies in the fold, it is a question for other parents with young children to decide. The most I can say is that on property I own outside Texas where hunting is sometimes allowed, I would NOT give permission to a party which included a nine year old cradling any kind of firearm.
So, we'll just have to agree to disagree.
And, what the heck, come on over if you want. Enjoy your visit or your retirement.
Don't judge Texas by the veiw's of Racehorse. Hunting and fishing or alive and thriving. There are however, no public lands for hunting. So you either need to know somebody or get an expensive lease. Of course leases do prevent overhunting, and you know the skill/common sense level of the other hunters on a lease with you.