How can I convince my dad to atleast try shooting?

Question

Okay my dad isnt a loser or anything but he thinks guns are the reason that so many accidents happen, and why wars happen etc. I told him that we could go to the range and just try it. He says why would you get satisfaction out of a bullet being struck, the gun powder exploding and a metal projectile moving over 1000 FPS meant for doing damage for a living thing? And I say its just fun. And he just says well some people have fun volunteering for things, and to you that would be extremely boring. And I just cant convince him. I tell him plenty of people my age fire guns. He says well you know what theres something wrong with their parents if they are exposing guns to people 14 and 15 year olds. (Im 15) I am just sick of it. I want to try it once and get it over with, and I cant even do something as simple as that. Its not the guns that are bad, its some of the people holding them that are bad. Was anyone else in the same situation as this? If so please answer.

Answer 1

Try to explain to him the Dr's kill more people each year "accidentally" than guns do. People drunk driving kill more people each year than guns do.

No matter what the method used, it's almost always the people behind the method.

Ask your Dad why there are knives in the house. Knives are just as deadly as guns. The difference is that he taught you how to properly handle knives and he taught you about safety.

If the same steps are taken with guns, they can be just as safe.

Maybe your Dad has had a bad experience in the past? I don't know, but chances are that you will probably have to wait until you are old enough to do it by yourself. Sorry!!

Answer 2

What other hobbies does he enjoy? Automobiles cause more accidents than handguns.

People have been killed volunteering for noble causes, like the Peace Corps. Heck, people have been killed just doing their job.

There is almost always satisfaction in doing something well. The way he sees it, it is just spraying and praying. He doesn't recognize there are other aspects to firearms, including mental concentration, attention to detail, proper mechanics, including safety.

He has one perception, and a very limited perception.

Sometimes its just a matter of getting people out there. If you can, join your high school's air rifle team. Or see if your dad will let you go wtih someone else's parents who do enjoy shooting.

He might be set in his ways, and refusing to think outside the box. It might also be that he is just afraid to try.

Or he could be a die hard anti-firearms person.

Answer 3

I feel very sorry for you bud, just doesn't seem like dad will ever like or want to shoot a gun. And by the way, try telling him that guns don't kill people, people kill people. Good luck with getting to the range though. Sorry to say this, but maybe you should wait until you are out on your own @$$ ten years down the road.

Answer 4

I would suggest finding some friends who will take you shooting. If you want to get your dad involved, you might have to find a friend of his or a neighbor that likes to shoot and see if he could invite you and your dad to go to the range.

Also, I have been shooting since I was younger than you and have yet to do anything harmful to myself or someone else. My dad gave me a .22 for Christmas when I was 12 years old.

You are definitely right about saying that shooting is fun. My personal favorite is shooting clay birds and watching them disintegrate into thin air. I certainly feel like a man when I go shooting.

Answer 5

I don't think you can, but you might be able to sidestep the issue and work your way up. There are a number of avenues to hone your skills. Darts (the pointy ones, not the wussy ones). Slingshot. Knife throwing (THAT takes practice). Even hatchet throwing. And then there's archery. If you can get him involved in any of these, it might be moved up a step at a time. Work within the constraints he sets, but be creative within them. Does he object to beanbags? Horseshoes? Alright, even the wussy soft darts. Remember, lawn darts were taken off the market because they killed a few people. A low-powered BB rifle can be used to hone your skills, and you can take safe gun handling courses that cover even BB guns. I advise it. Get him to take you. Remember, a BB rifle isn't a toy--they used it in a course to train GIs in instinctive point-and-shoot techniques. It was released to the public as "Quick Skill". The military version omitted the "S", but it was the same principle.

Answer 6

My brother and I started shooting competitively when we were about 12, with air rifles. I have NEVER killed anything in my life. My brother is in Iraq right now. No way I'd do that. Shooting doesn't lead to something bad. Bad people with guns were bad before they got guns. Unfortunately guns and their "power" attract a lot of losers too.

Answer 7

My father wasn't into guns, but I was lucky enough to find some neighbors who were, and who had an unofficial place in an old sand pit where a 14 year old could shoot. (presumably most ranges won't let you in unless you're 18).

I dunno what might get him to let you try it out, but maybe if you threatened to join the Army (assuming he's anti-war), that might be enough to shake him up. Not that I would recommend actually doing that considering our current mis-use of our armed forces.

Answer 8

I dont think you will ever be able to convince your Dad otherwise

you might have to wait until you are old enough to hunt without parental supervision

Answer 9

Not me, I was a country boy. I was shooting rifles by the time I was 8

Answer 10

my dad let me shoot a 12 guage at 10 years old...use to go over to my uncles and shoot floating targets in his pond.

I feel bad for you man, sounds like something you'd really enjoy. When you get older he can't really stop you, and you can introduce it to your kid if you want.