Very true, Bob. This has to be one of the worst examples of parenting I have seen in some time. I agree with the representative they quoted. The right to keep and bear arms does not insulate a person from the criminal or civil consequences of gross negligence.
My daughter (age 10) has a Crickett. By have, I mean that I bought it and it stays locked up with my other guns and she can shoot/handle it under my (or some other responsible adult) direct supervision. FWIW, the barrel has a warning stamped into it, cautioning that it only be used under adult supervision. The damn manual also says this, in addition to the things that Bob quoted.
These guns aren't really marketed to children, as much as they are marketed to parents. I remember my dad teaching me how to shoot and also learning at Scout camp. I was not a large child, so most "adult" sized guns did not fit me and were difficult to shoot. These types of guns do help when you are trying to teach a child. That being said, they never should be left where a kid can get a hold of it.
I don't know what will happen to the parents. There is a reluctance to charge people in these circumstances. We had an incident last month, locally, where a cop's kid got a hold of one of his guns and accidentally shot himself. There haven't been any charges filed.
It is amazing how in the ad at the link below, the family fun of the Cricket includes mom pointing her rifle at her son and the daughter been pretty damn careless as well. Brilliant.
Smitty, I think there is bit of a difference between someone that lets their kid play with a loaded gun and someone that stores a gun in a locked safe in their room. Presumably, a response plan to a burglar or home invasion would involve going to your kids room instead of letting them fend for themselves. Having a gun there would mean that you didn't have to go to your room (or wherever you keep your home defense gun) and get it before you go and fetch/protect your kid.
I am not saying I would do this. For one thing, my house is pretty small. I guess this isn't as bad as the article is trying to make it out to be.
All of that assumes rational and adult discourse. Of course you would not do that, Steve, but again, you are not an idiot and are responsible with your guns. But then again, the NRA just asked Glenn Beck to speak at their national conference. Because, evidently, they couldn't find anyone either dumber or more paranoid.
To be fair, Rob Pincus teaches classes mostly for experienced gun owners. I don't think this was a beginners class. Also, what is with the photo of the kid with a pistol? This class had nothing to do with that, but I am sure that he author knew that and just wanted to stoke up some kind of anti gun paranoia.
8 comments:
What ever happened to: "the gun is always loaded."?
What happened to "guns are not toys"?
When did excercising your rights start to mean you have freedom from responsibility?
Very true, Bob. This has to be one of the worst examples of parenting I have seen in some time. I agree with the representative they quoted. The right to keep and bear arms does not insulate a person from the criminal or civil consequences of gross negligence.
My daughter (age 10) has a Crickett. By have, I mean that I bought it and it stays locked up with my other guns and she can shoot/handle it under my (or some other responsible adult) direct supervision. FWIW, the barrel has a warning stamped into it, cautioning that it only be used under adult supervision. The damn manual also says this, in addition to the things that Bob quoted.
These guns aren't really marketed to children, as much as they are marketed to parents. I remember my dad teaching me how to shoot and also learning at Scout camp. I was not a large child, so most "adult" sized guns did not fit me and were difficult to shoot. These types of guns do help when you are trying to teach a child. That being said, they never should be left where a kid can get a hold of it.
I don't know what will happen to the parents. There is a reluctance to charge people in these circumstances. We had an incident last month, locally, where a cop's kid got a hold of one of his guns and accidentally shot himself. There haven't been any charges filed.
I think charges should be filed, if for no other reason than maybe the boy will grow up knowing it was his parents fault and not his.
It is amazing how in the ad at the link below, the family fun of the Cricket includes mom pointing her rifle at her son and the daughter been pretty damn careless as well. Brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vi2df0ozSM&feature=youtu.be
Because FREEEEEEDOOOOOOM!!!
Smitty, I think there is bit of a difference between someone that lets their kid play with a loaded gun and someone that stores a gun in a locked safe in their room. Presumably, a response plan to a burglar or home invasion would involve going to your kids room instead of letting them fend for themselves. Having a gun there would mean that you didn't have to go to your room (or wherever you keep your home defense gun) and get it before you go and fetch/protect your kid.
I am not saying I would do this. For one thing, my house is pretty small. I guess this isn't as bad as the article is trying to make it out to be.
All of that assumes rational and adult discourse. Of course you would not do that, Steve, but again, you are not an idiot and are responsible with your guns. But then again, the NRA just asked Glenn Beck to speak at their national conference. Because, evidently, they couldn't find anyone either dumber or more paranoid.
To be fair, Rob Pincus teaches classes mostly for experienced gun owners. I don't think this was a beginners class. Also, what is with the photo of the kid with a pistol? This class had nothing to do with that, but I am sure that he author knew that and just wanted to stoke up some kind of anti gun paranoia.
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