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Old 03-14-2013, 12:22   #1
orion5
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Kids and Guns: Two Worlds

I love the term "Adults in Training". Sounds so obvious, doesn't it? I'm sure most parents think this is exactly what they're raising. Yet my nephews are being raised as quite the opposite, due to a very fearful mother. She's created monsters - both boys have been on and off various forms of medication, and are very disrespectful. As is every kid on their block. We wouldn't dare let them handle a gun now, unless maybe Team Sergeant was the instructor.

The below was featured on The Shooting Wire a couple of weeks ago. LINK


Kids and Guns: Two Worlds

When it comes to how we look at our children we live in two different United States of America. Let's take a closer look at each one of these "worlds" and see how they compare.

In one America children are viewed as fragile beings, incapable of dealing with or understanding the realities of life. In this world, kids need to be sheltered and sequestered from any object or activity that may be 'dangerous' or 'risky'. Not just physical risk, but emotional risk as well. Playing sports without keeping score and passing grades based on 'effort' instead of merit come immediately to mind.

In world "A" the parents of these children not only see it as their responsibility to shelter their children, often and to a greater extent, it is the responsibility of the government to remove or restrict any activity that could, when taken to the extreme, be potentially harmful to the child. As a convenient byproduct, children in this world become props and stage dressing for politicians wishing to pass questionable legislation. If a bill or proposal is out of line with the U.S. Constitution, it is said to be for the "safety of the children". This naked and contemptible ploy has at its core an attempt to neutralize any legitimate opposition. To the politician, children aren't people, but notional characters and convenient excuses for unconstitutional behavior.

In the year 2013 and for the previous several years we have seen the fruits of the first America. Children, who did not remain prepubescent angels but grew up, are now adult age. Having been sheltered, not just from danger or risk, but from responsibility and consequences, they are incapable of dealing with adversity. Having been raised in an era of equalized fairness, one where sports teams don't keep score and passing grades are given to every child who shows up, these young adults are shocked when inevitable adversity and life challenges arise. They have been slapped in the face by the cold reality that how they 'feel' about this or that has no bearing on their ability to get a job or keep one.

Many of these grown children become the basement dwelling adult kids still living with their parents. Also, having discovered that the 'mean-spirited' and 'uncaring' corporate world has absolutely no concern for their self-esteem or feelings of entitlement, they look to an omnipotent government to make all things right in their world.

In the other United State of America, we perceive our children, not as fragile beings, but Adults in Training. The parents in this world do their very best to protect their children from the worldly hazards of fire, poison, drowning, and sharp objects. Rather than remove the stove from their house because the children might burn themselves, these parents teach the children that stoves and fire are hot and are not to be played with, ditto for sharp objects and power tools.

Adults in Training, need not be coddled and sheltered, but educated and taught the consequences of personal choice. Poor decisions have consequences, while good decisions come with rewards. Genuine self-esteem cannot be given to a child, the child must earn it. Once earned it cannot be arbitrarily taken away.


4H Shooting Sports; More than Guns and Bows

In the spring of 2000, I attended my first ever 4H Shooting Sports Adult Instructor weekend held in Jackson, Ohio. Of the many lessons that the trainers offered, one of the most poignant was that the focus of the 4H Shooting Sports program was not guns and bows, the focus and primary motivation was and is Youth Development.

Through the organized shooting sports disciplines; be they rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzle-loading or archery, young people, or Adults in Training, are guided and aided in the development of life skills that will serve them far beyond the rifle range or trap field.

Unlike other sports or fields of physical endeavor, the shooting sports allow any and all children to participate, regardless of their size or strength, male or female. While they might technically compete against one another, their primary goal is to seek measureable self-improvement. The target does not care about their feelings or a desire for fairness. The only way for a young person to consistently hit the 'X-ring', break the clay target, or stick an arrow in the bull's eye is to both physically and mentally discipline themselves. The target doesn't know "fair".

Through the close guidance and personal attention given by trained 4H adult volunteers, young people learn to safely and effectively use firearms and archery gear. These are not toys, but serious sporting equipment. When they learn to master the rifle, the shotgun, or the pistol, these Adults in Training are in turn learning to master their own lives. They are transitioning from the helpless babe to the productive adult citizen.

Unlike the sheltered basement dwellers of group "A", 4H shooting sports alumnus have grown to be responsible adults. The fruits of the 4H program have already matured and been harvested. Young people who were once my "4H camp kids" are now responsible adults with careers and spouses. They are starting families and rearing their own Adults in Training.

As more physically mature members of our society, we have a choice to make. We can choose to shelter our children from all risks both real and imagined. We can ensure that they are mentally fragile and allow them to be used as props for opportunist politicians. Conversely, we can acknowledge that the world is indeed a dangerous and risky place. With that acknowledgment we can deliberately prepare our Adults in Training, not to hide from these risks, but be prepared to face whatever life has in store for them.

-- Paul Markel


About the Author
Paul Markel has been a firearms industry writer for twenty years and is the author of the new book "Student of the Gun; A beginner once, a student for life." Paul hosts and produces "Student of the Gun" a show dedicated to education, experience, and enjoyment of firearms. Episodes of SOTG can be viewed by simply going to www.studentofthegun.com and clicking the "play" icon.
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Old 03-14-2013, 13:15   #2
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Group A - Is why we all the problems in schools today over pop-tarts, pictures, drawings, bubble makers.
In general, it seems that America is moving away from self-reliance to cradle to grave dependence others for guidance / assistance.
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Old 03-14-2013, 13:25   #3
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Reminds me of the time

Reminds me of the time my daughters came home from school and started shooting hoops in the driveway.

I told one of them that it wasn't too good an idea to shoot hoops with platform shoes on. Got the daughter to father ESAD look.

Few minutes later when she twisted her ankle and face planted in the driveway I said with a smile on my face "Told ya' so". Live and learn.
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Old 03-14-2013, 13:41   #4
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Got the daughter to father ESAD look.
ESAD
took me a minute.
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Old 03-15-2013, 12:51   #5
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I'm of the Adults in Training world view. Here's my 7 year old working on his adult skills. (the SG is a double 12).

http://youtu.be/Zo4oJVzPVmA
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Old 03-16-2013, 08:13   #6
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(Quote) ".......In the year 2013 and for the previous several years we have seen the fruits of the first America. Children, who did not remain prepubescent angels but grew up, are now adult age. Having been sheltered, not just from danger or risk, but from responsibility and consequences, they are incapable of dealing with adversity." (Quote)

This was the impetus for me teaching my children (now 42 and 34 y/o) proper use of firearms and self defense when they were growing up. And, the reason I'm teaching the 5 grandchildren (5-12 y/o...3 girls, 2 boys) firearms safety with a BB gun, to shoot a bow and arrow, to use an atlatl to throw a spear, and how to throw a tomahawk.

Carl
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Old 03-19-2013, 15:12   #7
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We took my visiting mom and sister to Tombstone yesterday and there were plenty of kids packing six-shooters on the street. Although, I did hear that there are some merchants complaining that the noise from the street shootouts is too loud and/or it's not good for people to be wearing guns (replicas or real) around town. A comment from a reenactor was, "Nobody comes to Tombstone to shop."

Pat
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Old 03-19-2013, 15:48   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Burt View Post
I'm of the Adults in Training world view. Here's my 7 year old working on his adult skills. (the SG is a double 12).

http://youtu.be/Zo4oJVzPVmA
Nice, Bill.....love how confident your son is, and the cowboy get-up too!
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Old 03-19-2013, 15:55   #9
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Nice, Bill.....love how confident your son is, and the cowboy get-up too!
Thanks! He's reached the point where he can fire 24 rounds, 5 from one pistol, 5 from another, 10 rifle, then load and fire 4 shotgun rounds without missing in under 40 seconds. He actually finished a match a couple of weeks ago without missing once in over 140 rounds fired. Target distances range from 21 to 42 feet and sizes range from a man shaped torso to a 12 inch diameter circle. I'm very proud of him.
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Old 03-19-2013, 17:24   #10
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It is Two Worlds

Family’s Home Raided over Facebook Photo of Child’s Rifle

http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes...lds-rifle.html

"New Jersey police and Dept. of Children and Families officials raided the home of a firearms instructor and demanded to see his guns after he posted a Facebook photo of his 11-year-old son holding a rifle.

FOLLOW TODD ON FACEBOOK FOR CULTURE WAR NEWS. CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

“Someone called family services about the photo,” said Evan Nappen, an attorney representing Shawn Moore. “It led to an incredible, heavy-handed raid on his house. They wanted to see his gun safe, his guns and search his house. They even threatened to take his kids.”

Moore was not arrested or charged........................................... .."
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Old 03-19-2013, 17:41   #11
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“You can’t be prosecuted for making an allegation of child abuse –even if it’s false,” she said.

To report child abuse or neglect, please call the hotline at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873)

Names and phone numbers of Department of Children and Families

Names and phone numbers of NJ Legislative Roster

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Old 03-19-2013, 22:15   #12
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Another adult in training here. He is on his first "hunting" trip. Since he's only 4 he gets to bring his BB gun but he does well on the safety aspects and actually stays pretty quiet.

Derek
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Old 03-20-2013, 05:09   #13
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I'm of the Adults in Training world view. Here's my 7 year old working on his adult skills. (the SG is a double 12).

http://youtu.be/Zo4oJVzPVmA
Heck yeah! Good dad. Enjoy those moments, he'll be grown before you know it.
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Old 03-20-2013, 05:45   #14
Bill Burt
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Another adult in training here. He is on his first "hunting" trip. Since he's only 4 he gets to bring his BB gun but he does well on the safety aspects and actually stays pretty quiet.

Derek
Nice! I started my oldest and middle sons with Red Ryders. Learning some basic safety skills and gun handling techniques on those will help when he's old enough for the bigger stuff.
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Old 03-20-2013, 05:56   #15
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When I was a kid, my Dad would drive my cousin and me out to Desert, TX and drop us off in the woods for a couple of weeks with .22 rifles, canteens, a frying pan, a can of Crisco and some salt.

Nowadays, the sky above our house would be filled with drones and black choppers full of SWAT ninjas if he even thought about it.
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