Gun Safty Classes

[brazosriver]

To satisfy the people that say"If it could save only one life". Instead of registration, bans, background checks and other useless actions. Before you could purchase a gun you would have to show certification of completion of a gun safety class. The certification could be either public, such as taught in public school, or private, such as a NRA course. I would recommend that gun safety be taught in all schools. Let me have your opinions.

[RottenApple]

While I think gun safety courses are a good thing, I am opposed to requiring any kind of certification to exercise a basic (and Constitutionally affirmed) right.

[brazosriver]

I actually agree, but we require hunter safety classes for all hunters under a set age. This has worked for us here in Texas for years now.

[RottenApple]

I actually agree, but we require hunter safety classes for all hunters under a set age. This has worked for us here in Texas for years now.

Hunting is not a right, keeping and bearing arms is.

[Andrew]

Hunting is a privilege requiring a license. Arming oneself in defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, is a God given right that doesn't require one.

[45 4 life]

Although I agree that training should not be required to exercise one of our rights in the USA, remember that when the 2nd was written firearm training for all youngsters was a given. Back in those days learning about firearms was a must, today there is very little if any training provided to young Americans.
We as responsible gun owners and parents pass the training on to our kids, but many adults out there have never handled a weapon of anykind. I am sure that many of you, like myself have witnessed this at least once while spending time at the range.

[RottenApple]

Although I agree that training should not be required to exercise one of our rights in the USA, remember that when the 2nd was written firearm training for all youngsters was a given. Back in those days learning about firearms was a must, today there is very little if any training provided to young Americans.
We as responsible gun owners and parents pass the training on to our kids, but many adults out there have never handled a weapon of anykind. I am sure that many of you, like myself have witnessed this at least once while spending time at the range.

The firearm training provided in those days was done primarily by parents (particularly the fathers) and other family members. It was not then a requirement for people to exersize their 2A rights, nor should it be a requirement now.

[O6nop]

Although I agree that training should not be required to exercise one of our rights in the USA, remember that when the 2nd was written firearm training for all youngsters was a given. Back in those days learning about firearms was a must, today there is very little if any training provided to young Americans.
....

"Aim small, miss small"

Also, this was likely true with farmers and their family, there were a number of Colonials/citizens in the cities that did not use guns, at least, I'm assuming.

[67SS]

Hunting is a privilege requiring a license. Arming oneself in defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, is a God given right that doesn't require one.

Technically correct.. hunting is also a god given right... we were hunter gatherers long before any one learned to write anything down... hunting license is a tax... a way to regulate game.. else it would be depleted if not seasoned ... .... the rest I whole heartily

While I think gun safety courses are a good thing, I am opposed to requiring any kind of certification to exercise a basic (and Constitutionally affirmed) right.

HERE, HERE....

[45 4 life]

Although I agree that training should not be required to exercise one of our rights in the USA, remember that when the 2nd was written firearm training for all youngsters was a given. Back in those days learning about firearms was a must, today there is very little if any training provided to young Americans.
We as responsible gun owners and parents pass the training on to our kids, but many adults out there have never handled a weapon of anykind. I am sure that many of you, like myself have witnessed this at least once while spending time at the range.

The firearm training provided in those days was done primarily by parents (particularly the fathers) and other family members. It was not then a requirement for people to exersize their 2A rights, nor should it be a requirement now.

I am going to assume that you have at least one child, I will also assume that you, like myself, provided your child and/or children training in gun safety. Would you have considered no training, and then turned one of your own loose with a firearm just because it is right? When you answer that, consider that your family members are going to be exposed to untrained individuals.
I gathered up my wife and two kids, and left a gun range in Ft Worth when a untrained person was rented a firearm and turned loose on the range. My offered help to the individual was declined and my complaints to the range staff went unheard.

[67SS]

Although I agree that training should not be required to exercise one of our rights in the USA, remember that when the 2nd was written firearm training for all youngsters was a given. Back in those days learning about firearms was a must, today there is very little if any training provided to young Americans.
We as responsible gun owners and parents pass the training on to our kids, but many adults out there have never handled a weapon of anykind. I am sure that many of you, like myself have witnessed this at least once while spending time at the range.

The firearm training provided in those days was done primarily by parents (particularly the fathers) and other family members. It was not then a requirement for people to exersize their 2A rights, nor should it be a requirement now.

I am going to assume that you have at least one child, I will also assume that you, like myself, provided your child and/or children training in gun safety. Would you have considered no training, and then turned one of your own loose with a firearm just because it is right? When you answer that, consider that your family members are going to be exposed to untrained individuals.
I gathered up my wife and two kids, and left a gun range in Ft Worth when a untrained person was rented a firearm and turned loose on the range. My offered help to the individual was declined and my complaints to the range staff went unheard.

which is the reason I quit going to public ranges in the 1980s...on US59 in houston, I was fairly regular shooter @ the 59 gun range...till the wife of the woner was head shot by a delay fire from a inexperinaced shooter who took the gun from a down range position to a across range position when it discharged stricking a very lovely and avide shooter, killing her... I all but gave up regular shooting.. and found area of wood and such that no one cared is I fired off 20 to 50 rounds..... in the last 5 years I have been a very active shooter at a very private range.. we do lots of shoot and scoot..... I have never felt un safe there.. all are excellent shooters,,, not marksmen.. but avid safety...

as for teaching kids.... the past 60 years have really changed here in the USA.. dense populations provide little or no area for the sport of shooting.. which I see as a problem... 60 years ago... it was easy to get out in the wood.. with in 20 min driving from most anywhere.. today? HA!... population in the USA has doubled since 1960.. making finding suitable ares for practice and sport very limited in urban/suburban areas..

[RottenApple]

I am going to assume that you have at least one child, I will also assume that you, like myself, provided your child and/or children training in gun safety. Would you have considered no training, and then turned one of your own loose with a firearm just because it is right? When you answer that, consider that your family members are going to be exposed to untrained individuals.
I gathered up my wife and two kids, and left a gun range in Ft Worth when a untrained person was rented a firearm and turned loose on the range. My offered help to the individual was declined and my complaints to the range staff went unheard.

Yes, I have 2 kids, age 15 & 13. Both have been trained (and are still in training) by me and are avid shooters. They are trained because I take my responsibilities as a father, as a Texan, and as an American seriously. And no, I wouldn't want them turned loose with a gun without being trained. But that doesn't mean that I believe that firearm training should be mandatory in order to exercise their rights.

We (society) turn young people loose with weapons far, far more deadly than a firearm every day. Anyone age 18 (younger in some states) can walk into a DPS office, take a little test, smile for the camera, and walk out with a license to drive a vehicle. And driving is a privilege, not a right.

We don't require certification for people to exercise any of their other Constitutionally affirmed rights, why should we require it for the 2nd Amendment?

[67SS]

FYI drivers license is a TAX.. not a privilege....

The National Conference of State Legislatures asserts that Rhode Island was the first state to require a license, passing the law in 1908.

Prior to 1903, some cities and towns tried licensing requirements. The Voluntaryist states that Chicago passed a law in 1898 requiring the owners of almost anything with wheels, including bicycles and wagons, to be licensed. That law was later ruled unconstitutional.

Regulation was pretty loose in many states through the 1930s and '40s. In Georgia, for example, there was no test; one sent for a license by mail.

South Dakota was the last state to pass a law requiring drivers to be licensed. In 1954, the state required drivers to be licensed, and five years later added an examination.

up until 1969 no DL was required for motorcycle....

[RottenApple]

FYI drivers license is a TAX..

Just because it's a tax doesn't negate it being a privilege. And, it's still beside the point. We do not, nor should we ever, require certification or licensing (*and yes, I include CHL in this) for people to exercise their rights.

*I believe in and support Constitutional Carry nationwide. In the mean time, however, I will comply with all applicable laws.

[G26ster]

I've always heard it as this:

Driving on public roads is a privilege granted by the state, not a right. However, you do have a "right" to drive without a license on your own property, but for the privilege to use public roads, you need a license.