Children and Firearms?

[MidnightBreeze]

What is the name of your state?

Wanting to get some opionion here and if someone else been in same boat and how they have handled this.
Got a friend that is divorced, has custody of child with father some visitation rights. Father was never into guns while married, it came after divorce. Father takes 5 year old daughter out and lets her shoot the gun the daughter is disturbed by the gun shooting her father drags her to when she visit. Mother notices that it bothers her, dosnt like that daughter also said she was going to shoot dad one time when she got angry at dad. Mother ask Father to please do not take child shooting it really bothers her, father said oh well when she is with me you have no say what we do. Mother called attorney and was told that is right. Not bad blood between mother and father till this. Think it is dumb that father will not stop knowing it is bothering his child.

Is attorney right? Is there some way she can get the courts to agree that a 5 year old shouldnt be playing with guns? Even if it didnt bother the child I think that is young.

Please dont want to get into debate about guns, just want to know if mother can do anything she is very concerned and dont know what to do .

Thanks

 

[ceara19]

I personally don't think kids should be around loaded guns, but there is a BIG difference between "playing" with guns and learning how to properly handle a gun. I learned the proper way to handle and shoot a gun at a young age, but I wouldn't do the same with my kids.

It would really be a matter that would fall under the judges discression. Whether he/she is pro gun or anti gun will probably have bearing on the outcome. Mom's attorney probably knows which way the judge leans if he/she's had alot of time in court with the judge. I would probably listen to the lawyer in this case. It would have been too easy for them to get more money out of mom to bring this issue to court, even if they KNEW it was a losing battle.

 

[eme76]

o/t a bit

I personally don't think kids should be around loaded guns, but there is a BIG difference between "playing" with guns and learning how to properly handle a gun. I learned the proper way to handle and shoot a gun at a young age, but I wouldn't do the same with my kids.
It would really be a matter that would fall under the judges discression. Whether he/she is pro gun or anti gun will probably have bearing on the outcome. Mom's attorney probably knows which way the judge leans if he/she's had alot of time in court with the judge. I would probably listen to the lawyer in this case. It would have been too easy for them to get more money out of mom to bring this issue to court, even if they KNEW it was a losing battle.

why would you not do the same with your kids

 

[ceara19]

why would you not do the same with your kids

Because I don't think 5 is the proper age to teach shooting skills to a child. You can teach a child to RESPECT guns without them ever handling them.

 

[eme76]

Because I don't think 5 is the proper age to teach shooting skills to a child. You can teach a child to RESPECT guns without them ever handling them.

SHOCKER we agree about something
i was asking because your post said you learned at "a young age" i did not realise you specificly ment 5
i agree 5 is too young but i do beleive gun safety and as you say respect should be tought as young as possible

 

[ceara19]

SHOCKER we agree about something
i was asking because your post said you learned at "a young age" i did not realise you specificly ment 5
i agree 5 is too young but i do beleive gun safety and as you say respect should be tought as young as possible

Actually I was probably around 7, but I still think that's way too young.

 

[nicetryadmin]

A 5-year old can't really associate the aspect of safety when it comes to a gun. At this age, IMO, this is very dangerous ground to be treading on. There are way too many cartoons on TV today that seem to focus on fantasy violence and the children could very well associate what they see on those cartoons and think it can't do much harm.

There are certain ages to start showing kids stuff and 5 is simply too young to start introducing them to guns (even if it's only "safety").

The OP has every right to be concerned. Dad's comment "well it's none of your business what's going on on my time", while he's correct, mom has every right to be concerned and do something about (I know I sure as hell would). Plus, (God forbid) if something happened to the child and mom was aware of the child's exposure to guns, that could cause some problems.

 

[Ohiogal]

I agree that a five year old should not be shooting guns -- Well it depends really on a lot of factors: What kind of gun? What the child wishes to do? What is the purpose of teaching the child? Is the parent "qualified" to teach the child -- in other words, does the parent have patience and skill and is likly to take cues from the child? Is there an area where the child can learn that is safe and away from inadvertent targets (other people, personal property and the like)?

I ask because BB guns are great starters for kids to begin to learn on. A 45 not so much.

What bothers me more than your daughter's age is that she is AFRAID of guns -- handing someone who is afraid of a gun is NOT a smart thing to do. I can understand her dad wanting to share something with his daughter but if the child does not wish to learn about them, that is a recipe for disaster. Anyone who is around guns needs to learn the basics -- which could be as little as -- assume all guns are loaded, NEVER point a gun at something you are not trying to kill, and realize that if you do pull the trigger you can't take it back.

If dad is not smart enough to realize handing a scared five year old a loaded gun is a recipe for disaster that is bad. If you are not dealing with your comments about your daughter shooting her father, that is also bad. Nowadays such comments can have severe consequences. Your daughter is NOT mature enough to learn to shoot. Some kids at that age might be depending on what type of gun and what their exposure has been. Your daughter isn't.

If the child were interested in learning then I would encourage this provided it was done smart -- starting with low power guns (pellet or BBs) and progressing through as the child progresses based on aptitude, understanding, maturity -- each child is individual.

 

[stealth2]

If it's done with the appropriate safety measures, it is unlikely a court is going to do anything to interfere with Dad's right to spend his custodial time as he pleases.

 

[Zephyr]

I learned to shoot a 22 at 5, along with cleaning the gun, proper and safe handling etc....my dad's guns were never locked, the bullets stored conveniently in the drawer in the bottom of the gun cabinet- and neither more nor my brother would EVER touch the guns or the bullets without dad being right there....children learning about guns is not a bad thing, the worrisome thing here is dad's disregard for daughter, have you tried to figure out why she doesn't like it? is it too loud? does she have a shooting headset?? is he possibly starting her with a higher caliber than she feels comfortable handling? rather than asking dad not to do it, you may be further ahead finding ways to make the sport more comfortable and enjoyable for your daughter....

 

[Halls]

My sons father doesn't like it very much that my dad takes my son out shooting when we are out at my parents ranch. My son loves to shoot hand guns and small rifles. I talked to son's dad about it and he let the issue go and is actually been trying to do some target shooting with an air soft gun with our son. Guess he is coming around.

Anyhow, if your daughter doesn't like it she needs to express this to her dad and maybe he will listen. But I think your lawyer is right, parents can do whatever they want with their kids on their time. Heck, my sons father has done some things I question but I accept that during dads time he has the right to decide and I have to bud out. It is tough but I think that is what you need to do. Also encourage your daughter to try and enjoy shooting the guns. Most kids follow the lead of their parents.

 

[stealth2]

Thinking back, I was probably around 5 when I learned to shoot a .22 at my grandfather's farm. And I remember my brother and I walking out to the fields with a .22 to shoot cans long before my grandmother died (I was 7). He's 2 1/2 years older than I.

I don't have guns myself, but a lot of people here hunt. So my kids have both been through several shooting and safety classes over the past 5 years (starting when #2 was 7ish).

 

[FrustratedMommy]

Well I suppose then I wont need to ask this myself anymore.

I dont think a 10 year old should have her own 22 semi auto. I also dont think she should be able to fire it into water at fish etc. I am just mom what do I know. (that last comment was laced with sarcasm)

 

[stealth2]

Well, shooting at fish in the water is pretty stupid. Is your daughter stupid?

But owning a gun and learning to use it safely is a different situation.

 

[FrustratedMommy]

Daddy is stupid in my opinion for thinking its ok. Oh believe me I have stated my peace on that issue plenty of times. Same response as the OP. "What I do with her is none of your concern." Shooting fish isnt legal from what I have seen in any state.

I have no issue with her learning how to properly handle a gun and gun safety, however I would hope the person teaching her isnt an idiot. If ya know what I mean.