Kids and guns?

[Go Big Red!]

Taking off from MNO post with kids and hunting, when is a good time to explain guns or expose your kids to guns?  Is there an "age limit" or is this more harm than good?

My son, almost 5, was exposed to them when he was 3 1/2.  I was getting ready for deer hunting and I had the safe open and as curiosity would have it, he asked "What is that dad?"

(Normally, the safe is closed, locked, and the closet it sits in needs two different keys to access it.  One for the knob and the other for the deadbolt.  Ammo is also separate from that as well.)

Instead of censor his question, I explained to him what it was and what it was used for. I continued on with explaining to him the importance of not touching them unless I was around.  He the kind of kid who explores everything.  I honestly didn't feel bad that he saw my guns.  I want him to understand the dangers of them and that if he sees one at home (a place where I can control them) or at a friends house (this scares the living  out of me because I cannot control it) that he cannot go near them unless dad is with him.

Was this wrong?  What have you done?

[HD]

My kids have been around guns all of their life.
It is important to let them know what they are, and what they are used for.
If you hide them, and not teach them, they will find a way to get to them.
Kids are curious and it's better that they learn from you, than to find out the wrong way.
If they find out the wrong way to hadle a firearm, by either sneaking around or by accident, the consiqunces (sp) can be deadly. My kids were taught at a very early age, I even took may daughter duck hunting with me when she was 4 (I think, I'm getting old)
The point is, you are the role model. And, if you teach them well, they will respect the firearm and you.

So, if they want to know, tell them...teach them....

It's in your best interest, and theirs.


Hunter

[dakids]

Very true hunterdown.  If you teach your kids to hunt you will not have to hunt for them in the fall.  You will know where they are.

I have taken mine squirrel hunting.  The only animal with an inability to sit still longer than a 5 year old.

[thunderpout]

Red, Hunter.... I think teaching them when young is the best, and the only thing to do.... It all depends on the child of course, and how they are brought up, and of course, who is doing the teaching.(and how consistant one is and if they back up what they teach by example)  I was brought up with guns around at an early age, and had a deep respect for them going back to my first memories... Dad always stressed: "Treat every gun like it is a loaded gun, and never point a gun at something you dont intend to shoot at.... period".  If a human being, adult or child lives by this, you will never have a problem with guns.  Went with dad to Police target pistol competitions at a young age... Got to walk along with dad & friends grouse hunting with an unloaded 22 for a few years to prove I was careful and worthy of later trips out with a loaded 22, and went from there.... Yeah, like they say, better to learn and find out about them from the right people, the right way... than to keep them in the dark, and letting them find out from who knows who, and most likely the wrong way.  Like Red said, then you have no control over that type of situation.... My dad didnt even have a gun safe way back then,(most people didnt) but there was really no need, as I simply was not allowed to touch them unless dad was there, and that worked with us with absolutely no problems... These days, I would definatly keep my guns in a safe if I had kids around, but you still teach them the same way... to have respect for guns....

[jkcmj]

My guns are in a cabinet right in the dining room which is glass fronted.  I clean the guns while watching television and let them handle and touch them from the time they are babies.  Obviously strict instruction before one is picked up, and nobody allowed to handle any of my guns when I am not home.  During the hunt they lay out on the kitchen table all week(unloaded) and I have never, ever had any issues.  My kids have all been out shooting from an early age as well and my 5 year old could explain how to load the cricket 22, which she has also shot(with aiming help of course).  After they see all the dead critters I bring home and dismember in the kitchen and hang on the swing set pole,  they really understand and fear what a gun is capable of.

My pistols I am a lot more leary of leaving access.  Just to small and easy for small hands and I am a lot more leary of accidents with the short barrel arms.  I still let them handle them unloaded if they are curious and ask me, but will not let them shoot till they are strong and smart enough to handle them.

[stevejedlenski]

as many different opinions as there is in these forums this one i think most will agree on. its kind of nice to see something so important being dealt with so carefully. the best thing you can do is teach them respect for guns. once they know they lose a lot of that curiosity which is the dangerous part.

you can tell a kid its hot but if they don't know what hot is, then they don't think its dangerous. for all they know hot is another type of candy! haha

[Go Big Red!]

as many different opinions as there is in these forums this one i think most will agree on. its kind of nice to see something so important being dealt with so carefully. the best thing you can do is teach them respect for guns. once they know they lose a lot of that curiosity which is the dangerous part.

It's very important to talked about since kids ARE so curious.  If they're not digging through every cabinet in the house and looking to see what it contains, then they're asking WHY? And then they ask WHY? again and again and again.

I couldn't bear it if something happened to my children, or anyone else's for that matter, that involved any gun.  Not a drive by or anything criminal, just your average hunting gun and a child's curiosity with unthinkable results.  It is something that should always be addressed.  We owe it to ourselves.