Guns and kids

[CandG]

Another thread about buying a gun to give to your kids/grandkids when they get older got me thinking about something. I haven't put a lot of thought into it yet, since I still have a few years.

Several questions:

How would you have it stored?
Would you just lock it away in your own safe, and only bring it out for range trips or maintenance? Or would you give them their own safe/lockbox? Give them the key/combo, or keep it to yourself?

What would be the minimum age that you would consider giving them access?
Legally speaking, you really shouldn't let them have access until they are an adult, however it only appears to be illegal if they have access to it and fire it accidentally or during a crime. Would you give them access, in case they need it to protect themselves, or would you keep the key/combo yourself, and show them where to find the baseball bat?

I've been pondering the idea of a combo safe that has a key override, so they only have access to it when I want them to. Is that a good option?
In other words, I'd only unlock the key override so they can open it with the combo when I can keep an eye on them, otherwise it stays locked and can't be opened with just a combo alone. But then they can't use it if they need it and I'm not home...

I know this is probably a controversial topic, and the safest thing is to keep it out of their possession (except under supervision) until they are adult. But then I think about how my grandfather (and probably MANY of our grandfathers) had a rifle or shotgun propped up in the corner of their room at a very young age, and never did anything irresponsible with it. Are those days history?

[wpod]

I was given a .22lr rifle when I was 10 years old. It hung on hooks on the wall in my bedroom, box of ammo on the shelf next to it.
It was never an issue with me or my friends.
The nanny State has convinced everyone that kids today are stupid, irresponsible, and violent, and that you are an irresponsible parent for having a firearm.
Of my 4 children (all still at home) 2 are minors and I gifted long guns to them. They are able to use them to defend their lives if need be.
They are also stored in accordance with CA law.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[meno377]

Another thread about buying a gun to give to your kids/grandkids when they get older got me thinking about something. I haven't put a lot of thought into it yet, since I still have a few years.

Several questions:

How would you have it stored?
Would you just lock it away in your own safe, and only bring it out for range trips or maintenance? Or would you give them their own safe/lockbox? Give them the key/combo, or keep it to yourself?

Teach them how to lock it safely.

What would be the minimum age that you would consider giving them access?
Legally speaking, you really shouldn't let them have access until they are an adult, however it only appears to be illegal if they have access to it and fire it accidentally or during a crime. Would you give them access, in case they need it to protect themselves, or would you keep the key/combo yourself, and show them where to find the baseball bat?

No two kids are the same. That being said, I would think it would be in line when you decide they don't need a baby sitter.

I've been pondering the idea of a combo safe that has a key override, so they only have access to it when I want them to. Is that a good option?
In other words, I'd only unlock the key override so they can open it with the combo when I can keep an eye on them, otherwise it stays locked and can't be opened with just a combo alone. But then they can't use it if they need it and I'm not home...

I know this is probably a controversial topic, and the safest thing is to keep it out of their possession (except under supervision) until they are adult. But then I think about how my grandfather (and probably MANY of our grandfathers) had a rifle or shotgun propped up in the corner of their room at a very young age, and never did anything irresponsible with it. Are those days history?

At the point you decide they can have access to them or at least one, then I would let them have access to the key or combo.

Realize none of this is legal advice though. Just an opinion.

[CandG]

Realize none of this is legal advice though. Just an opinion.

Of course. Thanks for your input. Probably have about 4 more years before I need to address this, just thinking ahead.

[Quiet]

[CandG]

Quiet: Duly noted

[Soginator]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a right answer to your question. We have seen kids use weapons to defend themselves when their parents aren't home, and also to shoot up schools. This is something you're going to have to decide for yourself. You should also take into account no matter how responsible or well behaved a kid is, teenagers tend to be extremely emotional over silly things (first break up and stuff like that) and I would be very, very cautious about them having unrestricted access to a firearm.

Since this is mostly an opinion based question, I'll simply tell you that I would not give my kid unrestricted access. Any time he wanted to go with me to the range would be perfectly okay. But if I feared for his safety when I wasn't home, my first priority would be either move, alarm system, dog, or a combination of those.

Edit: They also almost always manage to find a way into a safe. It's almost completely unavoidable.

[8886]

I'm sorry but Quiet's post stole the thread.





As far as all the answers you seek to your questions: Use your own judgment. Each situation is different so as a parent your experience with your own child is key.

[ZombieKiller]

My father started me with a BB gun before I was allowed to handle actual firearms... No scope..... Iron sights....


I thank him for that...


Sent from my fire using smoke signals

[ltzgolf]

I was given my first 10/22 when i was 12 years old and than a single shot 410 at 13 yrs old. I had access to them when ever I wanted. But i was reminded that if I ever wanted to use them i would use them the proper way if not there were consequences. I have recently bough my oldest a walther P22 for his first gun. Legaly he cant have it in his name. But it is his. It is kept in the safe with the rest of them. He does not have access to it unless I am home. We have a dog and security alarm for when he is home alone 15 yrs old now. Different scenarios for everyone.

[RandyD]

I was given a .22lr rifle when I was 10 years old. It hung on hooks on the wall in my bedroom, box of ammo on the shelf next to it.
It was never an issue with me or my friends.
The nanny State has convinced everyone that kids today are stupid, irresponsible, and violent, and that you are an irresponsible parent for having a firearm.

I grew up under the same circumstances, and all of my friends had .22s hanging in their bedrooms.

[Merc1138]

Indeed.

[Chapped Hide]

My boys, 11 & 13 both know the combo to the safe. My wife doesn't

[dwalker]

My 5 year old has a Daisy 22LR bolt gun that is his that stays in the safe. He is allowed to try it on occasion to see if he has grown into it yet, and cannot wait for the day when he is big enough to shoot it. He should be big enough and have earned the shooting trip thi spring or summer.



He also has a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun that he is allowed to shoot only when we go shooting. He is allowed to keep it under his bed but no ammo since he never manages to save any.

Depending on how he handles himself, he will gain access to other guns in the collection and might even get a few as Christmas or birthday presents along the way. He loves my M1 carbine and says he wants it when he "grows up".

I plan on involving him in the shooting sports- pistol competition, 3-gun, etc. early and if he sticks with it fine and if not at least he will know how to handle firearms. My friend Mark Passemanecks oldest son, I think about 13, is shooting 3-gun competitively now and did really well at the Noveske match earlier this year.

Not sure he when he will get the combination to the safe, probably just get him his own.

[FeuerFrei]

I've known properly educated kids that were safer with firearms than some "adults".
*Age doesn't = wisdom.
I didn't teach my kids by telling them. I showed them and it stuck.

This kind of topic is one that is better addressed by the parents.

Now days I'd be more concerned about your child innocently mentioning that "daddy has guns at home" to the teacher, next thing you know CPS drops by with the SO in tow.