Should a 6 year old child be given an air rifle?

Post by **hvj1** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:01 pm

Just curious to know your opinion on the subject.

miss_3006 · Post by **miss_3006** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:07 pm

Not without 100% adult supervision.

vikram.dutta · Post by **vikram.dutta** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:21 pm

With no intention to discourage someone, and only for safety reasons : my opinion is a NO. Only reason being its a gun, and not any other toy.

-- Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:21 pm --

With no intention to discourage someone, and only for safety reasons : my opinion is a NO. Only reason being its a gun, and not any other toy.

m24 · Post by **m24** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:33 pm

Yes.

Always keep it under lock and key.

The kid gets it only when you or someone who knows about handling air guns / guns is around.

You or that above-mentioned person always, and I repeat always, train the kid every time with the basics and the do's and don'ts.

Regards

Post by **Yaj** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:56 pm

miss_3006 wrote:Not without 100% adult supervision.

Agree!

Post by **hvj1** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:15 pm

Dear Friends,
Is it really possible to supervise a 6 yr old kid 100%, in the blink of an eye, (even with all the training), what can you expect if the kid lets fly one and injures somebody ?
I remember, my father had locked up his 1911, in his cupboard, the keys handed over to my Mom,I used to be always on the lookout for just that unattended moment, when the cupboard was open. I got many raps on the head, but that did not deter me to sneak up and get hold of the gun at least on three to four occasions. I was a 'orrible 10 year old brat then, upto all kinds of mischief and mayhem most of my waking hours.

snIPer · Post by **snIPer** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:41 pm

under 100% supervision ONLY.
/S/

thomast1 · Post by **thomast1** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:49 pm

NO, the weight and complexity is too much for that age to handle. may be a junior-airgun would do good under 100% supervision.

Thomas

Rajat · Post by **Rajat** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:15 pm

Give:

Definition: To bestow without receiving a return; to confer without compensation; to impart, as a possession; to grant, as authority or permission; to yield up or allow.

NO I am totally against it.

Giving is something different than letting the child fire a couple of shots in your presence. I even do not totally support this. Keep it under lock and key.

MoA · Post by **MoA** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:19 pm

Letting a kid learn to shoot under controlled circumstances.. sure. One to run around with no.

And I voted yes..

Though I believe there are some adults who shouldnt be let within a mile of a functional firearm.. but that is a different story.

prashantsingh · Post by **prashantsingh** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:59 pm

Why not ?
Like MoA said under supervision. The first few classes should not be load and shoot but how to handle a weapon and the safety aspects. Once the child has picked that up should he/ she be allowed to go ahead and shoot.

marksman · Post by **marksman** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:01 pm

I personally believe one should let kids handle fire arm from a very tender age so as to break their curiosity while gently infusing all the rules of safety in such a way that they stay embedded in their minds for ever. This lesson should begin from the day the parent gets them a toy gun. The child generally starts off with the first toy gun he gets hold of by pointing it at people shouting BANG....BANG.... Well that's the time you star off the lessons.
Marksman

vmanicks · Post by **vmanicks** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:11 pm

I would say children need to be highly instructed on the safety and awareness about weapons irrespective of their age. NEVER TREAT THEM LIKE A TOY

Since the time I was a kid my dad's shotgun and a .405 Winchester was in my study room as my dad still has his little armory for his shooting gear. He had allowed me to reload his shot gun cartridges, clean the shotgun and all other jazz. I was never stopped from handling his guns or his armory

However around 15 years ago, when me and my brother were playing around he pumped the old IHP .177 without pellet and pulled the trigger straight on my face

. That was a seriously a dangerous moment

. I was taken to an ophthalmologist as foreign particles, oil & grease was all over my face and they had to cover my eye like a pirate

for couple of days and I was recovered safely without any damage.

However these life experiences are not worth taking risk.

goodboy_mentor · Post by **goodboy_mentor** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:22 pm

I voted yes. By yes, I mean: Certainly under alert, firm and strict adult supervision only, be it a bow/crossbow and arrows, air gun or any firearm or any implement if used irresponsibly can cause harm to kid or those around.
Would like to add:
1) Store the weapons i.e bow/crossbow and arrows, gun and pellets/cartridges under lock and key, preferably in absence of kid, away from the range and knowledge of kid.
2) Do not store the bow/crossbow and arrows or gun and pellets/cartridges in same place. This is to ensure that even in the unlikely event, if the kid is able to lay his hands on the weapon in your absence, he should not get the other components.

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:27 pm

hvj1 wrote:Dear Friends,
Is it really possible to supervise a 6 yr old kid 100%, in the blink of an eye, (even with all the training), what can you expect if the kid lets fly one and injures somebody ?
I remember, my father had locked up his 1911, in his cupboard, the keys handed over to my Mom,I used to be always on the lookout for just that unattended moment, when the cupboard was open. I got many raps on the head, but that did not deter me to sneak up and get hold of the gun at least on three to four occasions. I was a 'orrible 10 year old brat then, upto all kinds of mischief and mayhem most of my waking hours.

I wonder how much of it was due to the 'unavailability' of the 1911 and the 'out of bounds' nature giving it an air of mystery.

Did you always have to steal a plate from the kitchen too?

If you were caught for the first time and made to shoot under supervision at a target regularly, would you still have done it?

Indians For Guns

Indians For Guns