I've used Eddie the Eagle since before my son could walk. Like anything else, repetition and reinforcement. And I always made sure he knew the difference between real guns and toys. He'll get it eventually.
Kids and Guns
- Thread starter Magnus
- Start date
At three, did you have a pretty good grasp at what was going on? I started my son at five and that was a chore.
Ok well teach him the only thing he can point his gun at is trees and rocks. Explain to him that is what he is allowed to point his gun at, don't bother explaining what you point your gun at. That muddies the water too much.
At three I knew what I could point guns at and what I couldn't. I also knew I could only touch my guns. My guns were for shooting trees and rocks. When we used daddy's guns they were for targets. I and everyone in my family are still alive without any bullet holes in us, so it must have worked.
I started my daughter off on gun safety at around 2 and a half. That is when she started asking questions. That is when it was time to teach her. It is far easier to gun proof a kid than kid proof a gun.
4excal
.338 Win Mag
Yeah, I think so, didn't we have a conversation about that a while back?
Isn't that the metrosexual, hipster hair look??
vanderblack
.357 mag
I have daughters so toy guns were not an issue. When they were under the age of 5, I did not let them see my guns for the most part. At most they were things in the closet that daddy kept locked up. Fact is, with a 3 and 5 year old, I didn't have much time to go to the range so the kids never even saw them taken out. As time became more available and I got out shooting more my oldest would ask an occasional question. At that age, the answer was a pretty simple, "they are guns and very dangerous. It took daddy a long time to learn to be able to use them. If you would like to learn someday, I will teach you." Around 7, I introduced them to BB guns, under strict supervision. My older daughter decided she didn't like guns and took no further interest than the occasional BB gun in the back yard with dad once a year.
When my younger one was 7, she really liked backyard shooting. All along I taught them safety and the seriousness of guns. At 7 they understood the concept. Making a big deal about BB guns in the backyard made it stand out and they listened intently. What it really comes down to is a child's level of maturity. When they show they understand and respect what you have taught them, they are ready for the next step.
When my youngest was 13 I took her out with the .22 to my range. I also brought along my 9mm sig and a .223 She took to the .22 right away and applied what I had taught her about handling a BB gun (or any gun for that matter.) She stuck with the .22 but I shot the other guns. On the way home she asked if she could try the other guns next time. We didn't get out until spring and she was 14. I taught her handgun safety with a .22 and she fired the .223. At the end of the day she asked if she could try the 9. I let her try and she did really well. A couple weeks later we went out again, this time a friend of mine came and brought a .40 and a few other guns. My daughter again, started with the .22 and quickly moved to the .223. After refreshing handguns, she switched to the 9 and then tried my buddies .40. (I thought she would break her wrists considering she is all bone and tiny). It was funny, she evaluated each gun telling us her likes and dislikes. She said she could feel the difference in the .40 and liked it but preferred the 9mm because it didn't kick as much. By the end of the day, she was selecting which gun to shoot, loading it and stepping up to shoot on her own. The following year she asked for a bolt action 22 for Christmas. I asked why and she said, "Well, since you have to reload between each shot, I figure it will teach me to aim better since I will have to take my time. Plus you don't use ammo as fast." She got her gun for Christmas. She is nearly 18 now and mad that she has to wait until 21 for her pistol permit. She wants her own 9mm.
My older daughter, now 21, still is not mature enough in attitude to handle a real gun. She has that girlie girl "oh, that's scary, no one should have guns" attitude and has yet to sit and have a serious discussion about them. I keep praying she will change. Don't get me wrong, she is very intelligent. Just not enough wisdom yet.
Yeah, very young boys with toy guns, not nearly as easy. If it were me, I would be focusing on telling a 3 year old, don't point guns at people or pets, etc... I would keep my guns out of view for now. I think a 3 year old can understand death to a degree but the right from wrong part is difficult in relation to guns and death. Kids that age and older can lash out saying things they know to be wrong. "kill mommy with your gun" as an example. To much of an emotional response from children too young. My sister-in-law had a rule, no pointing guns at people. When her son did it the first time after being told not to, he lost his gun for a week. (nerf gun). The second time he lost it for 6 months. She felt he did not have enough of an understanding of the importance and may be more mature in 6 months. I believe he was around 3. When he got it back, he never pointed it anyone again (well, until the 7 yr old gang of boys started having nerf gun fights. But at that point, he understood what a real gun was and how it was dangerous.)
Really comes down to maturity. Any comment or disobeying the rules and I would react harshly with how long before they could try again. We all know how serious guns are and read all about the accidents that happen. A child really needs to understand the importance here.
When my younger one was 7, she really liked backyard shooting. All along I taught them safety and the seriousness of guns. At 7 they understood the concept. Making a big deal about BB guns in the backyard made it stand out and they listened intently. What it really comes down to is a child's level of maturity. When they show they understand and respect what you have taught them, they are ready for the next step.
When my youngest was 13 I took her out with the .22 to my range. I also brought along my 9mm sig and a .223 She took to the .22 right away and applied what I had taught her about handling a BB gun (or any gun for that matter.) She stuck with the .22 but I shot the other guns. On the way home she asked if she could try the other guns next time. We didn't get out until spring and she was 14. I taught her handgun safety with a .22 and she fired the .223. At the end of the day she asked if she could try the 9. I let her try and she did really well. A couple weeks later we went out again, this time a friend of mine came and brought a .40 and a few other guns. My daughter again, started with the .22 and quickly moved to the .223. After refreshing handguns, she switched to the 9 and then tried my buddies .40. (I thought she would break her wrists considering she is all bone and tiny). It was funny, she evaluated each gun telling us her likes and dislikes. She said she could feel the difference in the .40 and liked it but preferred the 9mm because it didn't kick as much. By the end of the day, she was selecting which gun to shoot, loading it and stepping up to shoot on her own. The following year she asked for a bolt action 22 for Christmas. I asked why and she said, "Well, since you have to reload between each shot, I figure it will teach me to aim better since I will have to take my time. Plus you don't use ammo as fast." She got her gun for Christmas. She is nearly 18 now and mad that she has to wait until 21 for her pistol permit. She wants her own 9mm.
My older daughter, now 21, still is not mature enough in attitude to handle a real gun. She has that girlie girl "oh, that's scary, no one should have guns" attitude and has yet to sit and have a serious discussion about them. I keep praying she will change. Don't get me wrong, she is very intelligent. Just not enough wisdom yet.
Yeah, very young boys with toy guns, not nearly as easy. If it were me, I would be focusing on telling a 3 year old, don't point guns at people or pets, etc... I would keep my guns out of view for now. I think a 3 year old can understand death to a degree but the right from wrong part is difficult in relation to guns and death. Kids that age and older can lash out saying things they know to be wrong. "kill mommy with your gun" as an example. To much of an emotional response from children too young. My sister-in-law had a rule, no pointing guns at people. When her son did it the first time after being told not to, he lost his gun for a week. (nerf gun). The second time he lost it for 6 months. She felt he did not have enough of an understanding of the importance and may be more mature in 6 months. I believe he was around 3. When he got it back, he never pointed it anyone again (well, until the 7 yr old gang of boys started having nerf gun fights. But at that point, he understood what a real gun was and how it was dangerous.)
Really comes down to maturity. Any comment or disobeying the rules and I would react harshly with how long before they could try again. We all know how serious guns are and read all about the accidents that happen. A child really needs to understand the importance here.
Celt
.338 Win Mag
Important point.
I know some hardcore gun People, Like Us, don't even want their kids playing with toy guns because they just teach him that guns are dangerous and children can't comprehend the difference. I had toy guns as a kid and I was also taught respect for real Firearms. I have been doing the same with my kids.
However, there is not an unsecured firearm in my house. Unfortunately, they will have to stay behind lock and key because I won't take a chance of my kids having access to them at the age they are at.
Greywolf224
6.5 Creedmoor
Hey @leatherneck is that you perfecting the squat and draw stance? A picture like that now a days would land a dad in jail. How great it was to be a kid. You must be younger than me. All my 2 yr old picts are black and white.
Practicing my tactical positioning. Looks like my finger(s) was off the trigger. So safety concious then as well, I guess. Unfortunately, a real looking gun like that now would cause troubles or worse these days. Sad but true. Damn that thing had more metal than the real revolvers made today. My guess that was the summer of '72.
I know your lying,,,,it was only a 22,,,they cant even make holes
Cleck
.308 Win
We do the same thing at my house. I am not sure how old my daughter was when I got my first shotgun (yeah, I was a late bloomer and didn't get any guns til I was an adult, except my pellet gun at 14) and I remember because her brother and sister (older) were there too. I brought them all downstairs and told them the whole story - we'll look at it any time you want, just ask, I'll show you. Don't go telling your friends, don't try unlocking it when I'm not home, etc. I've done that with every gun I've acquired since. She's now 9 and she knows the rules of guns, we try to focus on some - they're always loaded, never aim at people, if you find one then find an adult, etc. She gets it now. She never asks to see them, but she did come outside while we were shooting down in the woods last time. I hope to introduce her to actually holding/shooting them soon enough, just gotta figure out the right age between the wife and I.
Other parents of her friends have come and asked me if I can teach them and their kids about gun safety, so it's nice to be known as the safety spouting gun owner.
Well you are unusual to have such specific memories most people have very spotty memories at best
the age of reason is six or seven, but I'm sure your whole family special
Father is a Marine, Mother is a Registered Nurse, yep, I have a great family. Guns are a part of the scenery with my family. When I started noticing guns my parents decided it was time to teach me to use them. I did the same for my daughter. I am sure she will do the same for her offspring. Age of reason has nothing to do with taking the mystery out of things. Every gun that came into my house my daughter handled so she never wondered what they were.
But I know what you meant by the word special, and that is why you are now on my ignore list.
Too far behind to read it all, but I've had similar moments. My kids (and my step-daughter) have all said at one time or another that my job is to shoot bad guys, or have asked me to shoot someone they saw doing something "bad". They just don't know, it is what it is.
I show my kids pictures of deer I shoot so they are starting to catch on that guns are serious business. My youngest is a little iffy on the blood and says she never wants to join me, while my oldest says she will some day. We'll see.
I show my kids pictures of deer I shoot so they are starting to catch on that guns are serious business. My youngest is a little iffy on the blood and says she never wants to join me, while my oldest says she will some day. We'll see.
I argue with my mother occasionally about how far back I remember, but then I hit her with my pre-school memories and she gives up. I have VERY vivid memories from 3 years old on.
Oh and my oldest has shot with me once so far. She was almost 5 at the time hasn't asked to go again yet but she hints at it from time to time. I saved her first brass and target.
Oh and my oldest has shot with me once so far. She was almost 5 at the time hasn't asked to go again yet but she hints at it from time to time. I saved her first brass and target.
Justincase
6.5 Creedmoor
My little guy and I set up his action figures and shoot them with his Nerf guns until all twenty or so are knocked down. We have rules just like at the range. Never point the gun at anyone, finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, if someone is setting up the figures all guns are laying on the floor, and we wear safety glasses. He loves it. I even do things wrong to see if he catches me and he does. He makes mistakes too, but we're learning. That's key. He just turned five a couple weeks ago, and we've been doing this for at least a year and a half. Good times
Lot of people who are "teaching" 3 year olds about gun safety and range rules are missing the point that kids need to be kids. Some of my fondest memories are running around my neighborhood with my friends and toy guns just playing. We didn't think about death, safety or what real guns could do. We were playing and shooting at each other and arguing about who got shot and who didn't. Things today are much more structured than they used to be. Sometimes kids just need to play.
Magnus
6.5 Creedmoor
Isn't that the metrosexual, hipster hair look??
I bought him an actual Samurai sword to avoid this type of labeling, he's a swordsboy.
Nah, can't recall you torturing 'ponytail' at Gander Mountain. lol
Magnus
6.5 Creedmoor
I don't remember my little brother at three speaking like my son does at three. I think it has to do with the amount of learning technology available to him. Sometimes he says things that just leave me in shock.
Magnus
6.5 Creedmoor
End of the day I remember he's a kid so I let him enjoy his toy guns, what can I do about that? I have let him feel the weight difference and inspect the bullets. I guess it's just baby steps for now. I did show him the Eddie Eagle video today and he loved it.
freddy
.308 Win
camper4lyfe
.308 Win
My 3 year old was pretty fascinated with guns for a while, especially once I brought mine back home and put them in the stack on cabinet.
I took a safety approach with him, first starting with the Eddie Eagle points, and then telling him that he can see my guns whenever he wants, he just has to ask. Once I open the cabinet, he's learned that he has to ask before touching anything. He's actually really good about it. His 2 year old bother on the other hand...he's a work in progress, but getting closer.
My 3 year old has told me many times that he wants a gun, and "picks" one that he wants when he's older. Regardless of what he asks for, he'll be getting a BB gun first. I'm actually itching to get him one, but I'm sitting on my hands right now simply because he's only 3. He also got REALLY pissed when I went hunting without him this past season, so I'm trying to figure out how to expose him to it. I figure I'll take him squirrel hunting initially, but with him getting so excited to see his "squirrel friends" in the back yard, I'm not so sure how that'll turn out.
I took a safety approach with him, first starting with the Eddie Eagle points, and then telling him that he can see my guns whenever he wants, he just has to ask. Once I open the cabinet, he's learned that he has to ask before touching anything. He's actually really good about it. His 2 year old bother on the other hand...he's a work in progress, but getting closer.
My 3 year old has told me many times that he wants a gun, and "picks" one that he wants when he's older. Regardless of what he asks for, he'll be getting a BB gun first. I'm actually itching to get him one, but I'm sitting on my hands right now simply because he's only 3. He also got REALLY pissed when I went hunting without him this past season, so I'm trying to figure out how to expose him to it. I figure I'll take him squirrel hunting initially, but with him getting so excited to see his "squirrel friends" in the back yard, I'm not so sure how that'll turn out.
camper4lyfe
.308 Win
My 3 year old has been turning nearly everything into a gun. More power to him. The education comes into play with real guns. So far he seems to know the difference.
Magnus
6.5 Creedmoor
That's the one we saw this morning.
camper4lyfe
.308 Win
You're lucky. My 2 year old won't shut up!