Is it ok for an 8yr old to know how to operate a gun?

Question

We were having a discussion about gun control and someone made a comment that they would teach their child to operate a gun by the time they were 8yrs old (3rd or 4th grd). They gave a scenario that if his wife and child were at home alone and someone broke into the house and the mother was unable to protect herself and the child he would wont his 8yr old to be prepared. I wanted to hear other peoples opinions thanks

Answer 1

If a gun will be within reach of the child while the mother is incapacitated in the first place, why must it be a weapon small enough to chuck angrily into a backpack before school? Those are the weapons being cracked down on by gun control. 12 year olds can have hunting licenses. Many of them start learning around 8. They can't have hand guns.

Answer 2

I operated a gun at age 10, but it was in a group setting with several adults closely supervising. (It was a .22 rifle). I wouldn't allow an 8 year old to operate anything much larger than that, as his or her strength is liable to be inadequate to properly wield it, especially under stress. This is not to say that an 8 year old can't wield a larger gun--I have heard a story in my family that a 3 year old family member managed to load and rack a 20 gauge shotgun before an adult managed to find him at it. Luckily the 3 year old was quickly divested of the firearm and appropriate punishment meted out.

It is dubious whether it would be appropriate for an 8 year old to have access to a firearm for protection, but if the 8 year old was firmly instructed in gun safety and the seriousness of the responsibility of using a gun, then he is much more likely to be a more conscientious gun owner when he is of age. He's also more likely not to be deluded by the "romance" of the gangster thug or "big man with a gun" if he knows the ins and outs of gun safety and responsible behavior. I am all for early education in the matter of firearms, but I think perhaps a real-life "save-your-skin" plan for an eight year old might involve having an escape plan and quick access to 911; the kid might be able to slip away and get help where an adult would have trouble. But then again, it is impossible to predict what will happen in a threatening scenario until it happens. It is important to know what the 8 year old child's limitations are and play to his strengths so that he is prepared in the best possible way; bring guns into it when he demonstrates responsibility in other areas. Some kids are more mature at 8 than others, and some are more physically capable than others as well.

Answer 3

NO! IT IS NEVER O.K. FOR AN 8 YR OLD TO BE TAUGHT TO SHOOT A GUN - THE KIND THAT HAS BULLETS. In my personal opinion, all guns should be kept out of the house...at least out of the possible reach of a child .... and it should never be loaded. That is why we have accidental deaths with children playing with guns. If it is for protection, do you think a burglar would be more or less likely to shoot a child (or anyone) who has a gun in their hands??
I know some children do play with bb or pelet guns..and enjoy hunting squirrels or shooting at a target. Perhaps this is O.K. if they are taught how to properly shoot the gun... and of all the dangers of shooting when others are near their target...or could be. Even then, this should be supervised.... and the guns put away (where they don't know where they are...and cannot reach them...and the pellets should be hidden in a different places. A child of 8 does not have the good judgement to not play with guns. They fact that they are told that they should not probably makes it even more appealing.
Personally, the thought of a child being taught how to shoot a real gun really scares me. I suppose it is up to the parents to make the right decision. If they just read the stats on accidental deaths of children playing with gunds, they would not consiider teaching this to their child.

Answer 4

that's a tricky question. i grew up around guns, and i knew how to use them way before 8. but i had safety drilled into my head along with the operation of the gun. safety is the most important thing when teaching anybody of any age about any kind of weapon, be it for hunting, sports, or personal protection. i think that 8 is a little young to be teaching guns as a protection tool, and i understand the scenario about the mom and everything. shouldn't he teach the mom how to be prepared instead of the 8 year old? maybe that would be a better idea, that's a lot of responsibility to put on someone that age. firearms can be great equipment for recreation, and they can be a lot of fun. but safety comes first.

Answer 5

Must be crazy-insane-irresponsible- a idiot more than likely ALL. A 8 year old ,any 8 year old is not mature or responsible enpough to have entrusted a gun/bullets for what if the child panics or freezes and by just having the gun in his possession-where normally a 8yr old by a intruder wld not be considered a threat now he/she is with tragic consequences. Also to disable the intruder needs to have wits about him and know where to shoot and steady aim-too many things can go wrong. Please do not listen to this person or try to talk some sense into him. By teaching his son and in order for the son to handle such a situation is giving child access to weapon/bullets HE IS ALSO BREAKING THE LAW-BEFORE HE GETS INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE AND GETS HIS SON OR WORSE A PLAYMATE KILED SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE APOLICE OFFICER TALK TO HIM,has not committed crime just by talking so will not get him into trouble but needs to be educated.

Answer 6

No not in today's fuc-ed up world and living in the city,a child 8 don't need to have a gun anywhere around him.children are the most of the people that are doing the school shootings.Children in today's world don't know nothing but watch TV, play computer games, and say I am boarded,they need something constructive in there life's to do Even at 8.They need jobs they need to start to learn to work grow learn some responsibility's before they get there hands on a gun.They need to learn the bullet has no eyes if it goes off it will kill anybody you ,brother, sister, stranger,or them self teach them this then when they get 15 they might be ready..

Answer 7

You actually think that if this ever happend (your senerio) that an 8 yr old child could actually handle the fact that they have shot someone / killed a person? This was not the best senerio to use. That is what is wrong with this world...kids knowing how to / or having access to guns! Do you not read the news...how many at school shootings have their been in the last year alone! 18 - maybe / 8 - no way!

Answer 8

this is what is wrong with the world. 8 year olds and guns..oh my god. I am glad i live in a country that has very very strict gun laws. This is the most ridiculous excuse to let an 8 year old have a gun. I am glad these are not my neighbours. If the mother can not protect the child how is the 8 year old going to be any better. 8 year olds are not known for their good judgement

Answer 9

There would be nothing wrong with teaching an 8 yo to operate a fire arm. However, that instruction needs to address the proper safety and respect of the weapon. And, the weapons need to be securely locked up and kept away from the 8 yo when the instruction is not taking place.

Answer 10

it depends on the kind of gun, and the amount of trust you have in your child. A lot of children around my home town go through hunters safety course around the age of eight. I think that if you let them use it under close supervision, and you keep it locked up when you are not supervising them, then it is okay. Hand guns and shot guns are the least safe for a child that age, but rifles tend not to be as dangerous.