Fire mission: Poll - Should parents teach their children how to use guns?

[Craig_M]

You know what they say, introduce your kids to the gun culture before the media does.

 

[Average Dad]

Teach Gun Safety - YES!

YES! First I didn't need to teach my son how to use a gun, The TV Movies and his friends airsoft guns did that, long before i judged him old enough to begin. I had to, and continue to, teach my kids how to use a gun responsibly and safely.

I grew up in a home where we weren't even allowed a BB gun. As a result I had no firearms education outside of a Scout Camp .22 rifle once. One day when I was 12 and visiting at a friends house I picked up what I thought was a "toy" pistol and and pointed it at my friend. He started screamng at me to put it down, "It's a real GUN!". I dropped it back on the counter and ran out of the room. His Dad didn't secure it before taking a shower. He just left it on the counter with his wallet and keys as was his habit. Yes, He should have kept positive control of his weapon, that goes w/o saying. But if I had ever been taught that people other than Police and "bad guys" carry guns and what a real pistol looked like I may have known better that to touch it at all. I still shudder to think how close I came to killing my friend that day.

 

[MSC 45ACP]

HOLYCHIT, Batman! I'm glad things came out "alright", AverageDad. Reading your post gave me a "whole body shudder" to think about the 'alternate ending'.

Thank you for sharing your story. It took a pair of 'brass ones' to admit something like this in your life. I hope you continue to share your experiences with others. Sadly, we learn best from our mistakes. I can't say I've ever done something quite like that, but I've been in more than a couple life-or-death situations and I'm happy to remain among the living.

 

[Sonora Rebel]

97% yes. Do the politicians in DC and MD read these polls? Do they care? Remember in November!

 

[sonoran_Tj]

Voted Yes. I don't believe it is enough to just teach gun safety, although that is a good start. I was taught the Eddie Eagle stuff via a VHS tape when I was about three (I'm 18 now). I was taught basic shooting habits when I was about 5 with a pellet rifle. Got my first real range time with a .22 when I was 8. Started shooting shotguns as soon as I was big enough to hold one up long enough, which was about age 10. Started shooting pistols when my dad bought his first (first since I was born, he had a couple that were sold pre-me for various reasons) pistol when I was 13.

I think all children should get safety training when they are young, but should also be taught how to shoot as soon as they are old enough to be responsible and competent. It's just one of those things that all Americans should be able to do.

 

[ixtow]

The sad truth is that most parents will not teach their children anything useful

You can stop the sentence there and make the broader point, and still be truthful.

 

[since9]

If not myself, who else? His antigun school teachers? :lol:

 

[sultan62]

SNIP
Result: He is a safe, competant shooter and handler of firearms, including semi-autos, revolvers, and black power weapons.

I LOLd.