Do you think a responsible 13 year old should buy a shotgun?

Answer 1

No that is for your parents to decide.

At the age of 12 my son went through a DNR Firearm Safety Course, received a certificate and patch. On his 13th birthday he picked out one of my antique bolt action 22 rifles and a week later (X-mas eve) he received a new Browning BPS.

He does not discuss guns with class mates (or teachers) or friends outside of school.

Answer 2

You must be 18 to buy a shotgun. Can a responsible 13 year old shoot a gun, yes. Lots of training and supervision. I let my 5 and 7 year olds shoot my 22 rifles (only with me standing beside them). They can hit a 1" bullseye every time from 25 yards. The adult that lets a minor use the gun must make their own judgment and take responsibility for the actions of the minor.

Answer 3

If he/she is responsible yes. But who would decide if the child was responsible enough? It's a nice idea, but not practical and couldn't really be implemented. Unfortunately thats why the laws are what they are. A magic number was applied because it sounded good and would be a cut off between childhood/adulthood. Thus anyone deemed a child is too immature to handle a gun where as someone who reaches this magical age is suddenly as mature as they are ever going to be. I think the whole 18/21 laws are dumb. I know my 12 year old cousin is responsible and would make a great gun owner. I have that are 22-25 and I wouldn't trust them with any gun.

Answer 4

I don't think that a 13 year-old, responsible or not, can buy a shotgun.

Answer 5

Well a 13 year old is old enough to be taken hunting or shooting skeet and such if he's with an older person who has a lot of firearms experience.

But a 13 year old can't buy a shotgun... though I'm guessing your question is whether a 13 year old should be permitted to use one?

Answer 6

No.

First of all, it is illegal for him to buy it. His mother or father needs to buy it as that would be legal.

Second, it needs to be used only with supervision. No letting the kid go off into the woods alone hunting. It would be best to let the kid use it trap and skeet shooting with supervision to see how he does.

Third, When not in use, that thing needs to be locked up by the parent in a gun safe where the kid can not get at it. He will want to show it off to his friends and that is the start of trouble.

Lastly, if it is his first gun, it should be a single shot or at most, a double barrel. Not a pump, not an auto loader.
It will limit how many shells he can stick in. Most trap and skeet ranges limit you to two in the gun at a time.

Answer 7

If he's morally responsible why should we question? If an 55 yr. old grandpa with mental illness or lack of common sense is able to buy one then why shouldn't a responsible 13 yr. old be able too? Back in the fifty's it wouldn't be a issue. Of course that's when most parents were raising there kids right and true.

Answer 8

This is a tough decision and definitely takes a lot of thinking. I am 14 and I have four rifles, a .22, a .30-06, an 8mm Mauser, and a .50 cal. in-line muzzle loader. You should get the proper safety instructions and learn how to handle weapons. I shot my first rifle, a 30-06, at age 8, and loved it. I have taken my hunter safety course, and have been tought over the years by family members and friends on how to handle guns. If you are responsible like you say you are, just talk it over with your parents( or maybe you are a parent talking about your son). Just make sure that he/she will be responsible with it and use it properly.

Answer 9

A 13 yr old cannot purchase a shotgun legally*....

Answer 10

If they are responsible, why not. I have had many rifles of my own since I was 12. I have never killed anyone, nor do I have any particular desire to do so. It's not like at age 18 you magically become a responsible person.