When should a kid get their first gun?

Question

How old must they be before they can be responsible with a firearm?

Answer 1

If they're old enough to walk, they're old enough to own a gun.

Answer 2

Generally kids can take a Hunter's Safety course at age 12. I wouldn't get a child any sort of gun, BB or otherwise until he/she went through the course so they understand that a gun is not a toy. Even then, I would keep the gun locked up unless an adult was supervising the shooting at all times. Firearm accidents happen way too easily.

Answer 3

Obviously some people do not understand your question or your reasons for asking. I think it depends on how often you and your family hunt wild game. If your child is experienced with gun safety and has hunted for some years now, I think 11 or 12 would probably be OK. To give your child a hunting rifle and to allow your child access to the weapon and amunition are two different things. I'm sure he/she would be thrilled to have a new 30-30, but I would restrict access to hunting season only. I may allow an experienced child to own a rifle, but I would not let the child use the weapon unsupervised for a couple more years.
11-12 yrs old I'd get em a rifle or shotgun, but I wouldn't allow full access to the weapon until the age of 14. This sounds crazy to people who are not familiar with hunting practices, but I live in an area where this is common practice and we haven't had a hunting accident or child deviance with a weapon EVER. The key is for someone to teach the child correctly such as a father or grandfather and as long as the child understands the purpose of the weapon it should be fine. This is my basic opinion so I should add that there are several variables to be considered. Your child, child's mentor, frequency of use (weapon), reason for use, ect..

Answer 4

I disapprove of guns, but I know that many families may like to go hunting with their children. If you feel the child is responsible and I would say AT LEAST 13, with a Firearm Safety course, then maybe, MAYBE it would be ok. But I believe that use should be SUPERVISED by the parent and the child does not have access to the gun at any other time EXCEPT for at the firing range or a hunting trip. So keep it under lock and key, and hide the keys or keep them on your person at ALL TIMES!! And you need to teach them that they can be dangerous and should be used with caution and care. Guns don't kill people, People kill people. Use your discretion as a parent.

Answer 5

Is this your kid? Are they responsible? I think if you know how to handle a gun, are with a responsible adult, and are taught right from wrong, ( don't point at a person etc.) I wouldn't give one to anyone younger than, say a 10 y-o. Always teach respect of a firearm, and for God's sake, every child should take a hunter's safety course!!!

Answer 6

I can't think of any reason why a kid should own a firearm.Remember guns don't kill...........people do! Hunting is barbaric and outdated. Self defence is definitely not a reason to get a gun. A kid is too easy to wrestle a gun off of and have it used on them instead.If it's for sporting shooting (at targets) become members of a sporting shooters club and use theirs or another adults.As for how old for their own, I'd say for their 21st as a minimum and only after having done safety courses and proving the maturity to act responsibly.

Answer 7

I think it kind of depends on what kind of gun and where you live. While it may be perfectly acceptable for a kid in rural Texas to get his first rifle at 12 years old, it probably would not be seen as acceptable to get your kid a handgun in a large urban area such as Los Angeles. I also think it's important to never allow your child to use his gun unsupervised and to keep it locked up (so he or she can't get to it) when it's not in use.

Teaching responsibility and safety is the key factor when dealing with kids and guns. You want to make it very clear that a gun is not a toy, should never be pointed at a human, and should never be used anytime you're not hunting or at the shooting range.

Answer 8

I would say that with access to an open area and it is under close supervision I would venture to say start with a BB gun until age 12-13 and unless they are hunting with a parent the gun does not come out. No need to wave the gun around or shoot tin cans with real rounds. Thats what BB guns are for. Well, thats my 2 cent.

Answer 9

Hmm i am assuming that you are a hunter and you want your son to hunt with you.. My little brother got one at 12 BUT he also has some really strict rules he follows, it stays locked up in the gun cabinet until hunting season. And he is only allowed to have it when they are hunting and dad is with him.. He is not allowed to go hunting with his friends with it, or take it out of the gun cabinet.. and responsible or not accidents can and WILL happen, the question should be .. can you as a parent deal with the consequenses of your childs actions if you put a gun in their hand at a young age!

Answer 10

Guns are not toys. A bullet does not discriminate what the target is.No responsible adult would think any child should have a gun.Just read the papers and read how many children are killed by their sibling or a friend by an unloaded gun. Need I say more?

Answer 11

It depends on their IQ and level of maturity. I know 40 year olds that I wouldn't trust with a firearm!

Make them take a gun safety class first.