I grew up around guns, shooting guns, hunting, target shooting, skeet shooting. My first gun that I shot was a .45 (1911). I was probably around 7, maybe 8. My Dad helped me hold it when I shot it. I shot his 8mm Mauser, a couple of .12 gauge shotguns, a .16 gauge shotgun, a .22 rifle and other guns right around that time too. My first gun I owned was a 12 gauge pump action shot gun. I got it for my 13th. birthday. Prior to that my brothers and I had bb guns and learned gun safety, how to use the sights, trigger pull, etc. from our father and each other. From around 7 yrs. old I hunted pigeon, grouse, quail, ducks, geese and rabbits with a .22 and a 16 gauge side by side of my fathers (that my brother still has). I also got my first rifle ( a 30/30 Winchester) when I was 13 yrs. old. Bottom line, my father was with us every step of the way until he felt comfortable with us using our firearms. We didn't shoot anywhere we didn't intend to shoot, we didn't shoot anything we didn't intend to kill or hit and I still shoot to this day.
When I married and we started our family I trained my own children on firearms use and safety. My wife's not fond of firearms but is comfortable with one (or more) around the house these days and even shoots them periodically. We still go to a remote gravel pit to "plink" from time to time to keep our eyes keen. I've spent over 42 years of my life having access to or carrying one form or another of firearm(s) at my workplace in a holster and/or slung over my shoulder or at port arms. In my chosen careers my firearms are like a carpenter's many different hammers. They have their uses, they're tools of the trade and they're handy to have around when you need them.
Oh, and if you're good enough you can drive nails with them.
I won't second guess the parents of this child other than to attribute their lack of judgement to most likely caving in to a "wild, wild west" video moment while on vacation. The rangemaster? Well, I have a problem regarding his "on film" statement. He pretty much admitted the child was below their threshold. Most likely that threshold was established for a reason. I'll leave it at that.
For all of you who want guns banned... don't buy any, personally ban them from your life.
Banned or not, I'll keep mine, thank you very much.
I won't second guess the parents of this child other than to attribute their lack of judgement to most likely caving in to a "wild, wild west" video moment while on vacation. The rangemaster? Well, I have a problem regarding his "on film" statement. He pretty much admitted the child was below their threshold. Most likely that threshold was established for a reason. I'll leave it at that.
For all of you who want guns banned... don't buy any, personally ban them from your life.
Banned or not, I'll keep mine, thank you very much.
