TexasCHLforum.com

As the father of a 10 year old daughter who has been shooting for 4 years, I have pretty strong opinions on this.

You can't "hide" a gun from a kid. Kids find hidden guns often. As adults we have 2 obligations regsrding kids and guns.

1. Teach them about guns. Before my daughter was old enough to shoot she had been to a range with me. She saw the recoil, heard the report (with ear protection, of course) and saw the destruction. We shot water bottles and watermelon.

Kid's only reality is that which they have observed. They have no inate knowledge that firearms can kill. All they know is that Buggs Bunny gets shot and lives.

We have to teach them the 4 firearm safety rules. (My child must recite them to before each range session or no shooting that day. I'm not mad at her, it just means her head is not where it needs to be.)

We have to teach them what to do if they are someplace and a gun is discovered or if someone produces one. (see Nitrogen's post).

Teach them that they should only handle firearms in an adults presence and with that adults permission and supervision.

2. We have to take steps to insure that kids do not access our readily dischargable firearm (Texas Penal Code term). My daughter is smart, exhibits safe handling and follows the rules. I have tested her by trying to hand her a gun that I cleared outside of her presence, but had the action closed. SHe refuses to accept it unless the action is open. Does that mean I trust her? HECK NO!, She is 10 years old. Her safety and the security of the weapon is MY responsibility.


But thats just my $.02