My thoughts about child gun safety.

[DonaldBabbett]

I watched Old Yeller. The Coates' family gun back in the 1800's was hung above the front door on the American western homestead cabin.

No child too small to handle a gun could reach it.

The oldest child-security home gun safe system : a couple hooks high on the wall. Worked then. Works now.

[Cowboy T]

Unless you're Katie Couric. Then only confiscation, apparently, will do. Police and military, you know.

My Dad had his guns where they were well within my reach. He also taught me not to ever touch them without his permission. And I never did.

Same for an armed security guard during Katie's interview with the VCDL. He has children, too, and he did with his kids just like my Dad did with me. No problems.

Education is the key, folks, just like with anything else.

[Calico1404]

First time I took my nephew shooting he had no idea that they were actually loud, that the kick something fierce [shotgun] and that you never put your finger on the trigger till your ready to fire or Uncle gets that crazy look in his eyes like I will be eliminated. Lol since then he respects firearms. Knows never to just "grab one" and understands that "bang = dead"

[rkt88edmo]

The oldest child-security home gun safe system : a couple hooks high on the wall. Worked then. Works now.

And they didnt have chairs, tables, boxes, or ladders?

Do you have kids? lol

Not that I don't agree with you sentiment.

[DonaldBabbett]

And they didnt have chairs, tables, boxes, or ladders?

Do you have kids? lol

Not that I don't agree with you sentiment.

American children (liberal Democrats included) now are spoiled rotten, mollycoddled, over-mothered, entitled, soccer-mommed-to-death, babied and scared of even their own shadows. We have become a fear culture.

[rkt88edmo]

American children (liberal Democrats included) now are spoiled rotten, mollycoddled, over-mothered, entitled, soccer-mommed-to-death, babied and scared of even their own shadows. We have become a fear culture.

Otay then.

[Red-Osier]

I think it has something to do with the arse whoopin dad would give you.

[valley82]

American children (liberal Democrats included) now are spoiled rotten, mollycoddled, over-mothered, entitled, soccer-mommed-to-death, babied and scared of even their own shadows. We have become a fear culture.

Yep
I was taught to shoot, hunt and respect firearms starting as a little kid by my father.

There was always a loaded 12 gauge shotgun (with 00) leaning against the wall in the hall closet growing up. My mother, three siblings and I knew it was there and knew how to click safety off and effectively empty it into any intruder...no safe/trigger lock needed...we were taught by our parents, not kept safe by government regulation because our parents were...too busy/too scared/too ignorant to do so.

I was given a 22 rifle when a turned 8, a 12 gauge when I turned 12, and a 8x57mm Mauser action hunting rifle when I turned 16 all by my father.

I was also taught that if I did not follow HIS rules of firearm safety that I would walk with at least a severe limp for the rest of my life.

I have followed the same logic and all three of my kids have great respect for firearms along with the knowledge of how to build AKs, HKs, ARs, 1911s, and how to shoot.

But the majority of my kid's friends don't even know how to hold a rifle properly let alone respect the damage that can be caused.

[Cowboy T]

So, valley82...you did that UNTHINKABLE thing called...parenting?? HOW DARE YE, MAN??!!

[FrankMo]

I watched Old Yeller. The Coates' family gun back in the 1800's was hung above the front door on the American western homestead cabin.

No child too small to handle a gun could reach it.

The oldest child-security home gun safe system : a couple hooks high on the wall. Worked then. Works now.

Kids get chairs. I prefer the gun safe. No kid will get it, and no dirt bag will steal it. My one rifle now seems lonely in there. I am lookinng for a friend for him. Downside of a safe, needs filling it seems.

FrankMO

[zuchaka]

Yep like many of you I was taught not to touch the guns unless my dad was there, and I never did. But you tell an anti-gun person this and they flip their lid. Kids are curious you have to Chanel that into learning.

[lowracer]

A 4-year-old kid will pile boxes, toys, chairs etc to get what they want if it's too high. Anyone with kids knows there's no hook or shelf too high for a kid to access. And they move very very fast.

With my kids they know (and I always tell them) that if they ever want to see my guns they just have to ask and I'll drop everything to show them. By now they're so bored with the guns that they don't ask much anymore. Also we train Eddie Eagle and I test it by leaving out a different replica gun from time to time.

[vinconco]

Nice conversation.
So far I haven't heard much discussion about educating kids on firearms safety......
When my kids were very young my wife and I competed in IPSC so the kids spent a lot of time around the range and firearms. My son couldn't wait to get his hands on one so I taught him how to safely clear all of our guns. He was allowed to handle ANY of my firearms whenever he wanted IF he asked first and then could safely show me a CLEAR WEAPON. He was NEVER allowed to point a weapon (real or toy) at ANYONE. He followed the rules and we never had a problem. During this time he intervened when his young friend found his daddy's shotgun and pointed it at him. He cleared it and told the dad and myself.

[Red-Osier]

Nice conversation.
So far I haven't heard much discussion about educating kids on firearms safety......
When my kids were very young my wife and I competed in IPSC so the kids spent a lot of time around the range and firearms. My son couldn't wait to get his hands on one so I taught him how to safely clear all of our guns. He was allowed to handle ANY of my firearms whenever he wanted IF he asked first and then could safely show me a CLEAR WEAPON. He was NEVER allowed to point a weapon (real or toy) at ANYONE. He followed the rules and we never had a problem. During this time he intervened when his young friend found his daddy's shotgun and pointed it at him. He cleared it and told the dad and myself.

Very good sir, Education on saftey is key.

[ChuckDizzle]

A 4-year-old kid will pile boxes, toys, chairs etc to get what they want if it's too high. Anyone with kids knows there's no hook or shelf too high for a kid to access. And they move very very fast.

With my kids they know (and I always tell them) that if they ever want to see my guns they just have to ask and I'll drop everything to show them. By now they're so bored with the guns that they don't ask much anymore. Also we train Eddie Eagle and I test it by leaving out a different replica gun from time to time.

This, my son always wants to help clean them though. He doesn't know yet his name is on the CZ 455. Also the danger posed to kids by the difference between a handgun and rifle/shotgun is significant. Contrast to the old yelled analogy that family back then probably didn't own a pistol. Today a gun owner is far more likely to own a pistol than a rifle.