My wife has mental timelines (at least that is my perception) when things are deemed 'Age Appropiate'. Too many mental health classes and too much faith in child rearing literature. She like things very regimented, very safe. I on the other hand enjoy change and adventure.
My 5 and 7 year old are courtious, respectful, easy going and just all around good kids. You couldn't ask for more.
Despite my verbage I wasn't exposed to firearms, firearms were around the house as long as I can remember. Longranges post is exactly what my Dad and I did together. My Dad only hunted squirrel and rabbitt with a 22, I got to walk and watch, clean guns, clean game and when I proved myself he bought me an old 22 single shot lever action. We had a damn good time. He wouldn't let me have a gun with a magazine until I made every shot count.
Part of my thought on this is what TR mentioned, does your wife think that you should store your car keys or beer under lock and key as well? How about the chainsaw?
The answer is no. One they know better than to play with the keys, two there is rarely beer in the house and when there is it is in an unlocked fridge. As tools go I have lots of tools and everyone is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, the kids try them out but only under my supervision. Tools aren't a bone of contention, but guns are. Either of my Impulse Nailers have the potential to kill and maim at the pull of the trigger. The Impluse Nailers were a cool toy in the kids eyes, then I let them shot some nails in a board. They felt the discharge of gas, the recoil and saw the sharp end of the nail on the backside of the board. The response Wow, Dad that could hurt you! Yeah, that is why you don't play with it I replied.
Jack Moroney made a very valid point: 'I don't know you well enough to know whether or not I want you around me with a firearm.'
My Dad and I went rabbitt hunting with a co-worker of his. The man ran out in front of me as I fired at a rabbit, thanks to my Dads quick reaction pushing my barrell away from the direction of the man, the buckshot wizzed just to the side of his leg. The manhad no idea how fortunate he was, he came within the wink of an eye of being seriously injured or worse.
We never hunted with him again.
I knew better than to be in front of the line of fire, but obviously no one ever taught him that.
My feeling is that whether it is a tool or a gun the more the kids know, the better they wil be prepared to know what to do and what not to do. They will know that if Johnny down the street brings out his old mans gun its not cool, it is time to leave and ther are never returning.
In addition they may find shooting paper and hunting an enjoyable pastime, and they will know how to do it safely.
My wifes comments on Columbine are bogus. Honestly I think it has more to do with how guns and shooting would be preceived at school....personally I could care less what they think.
All in all this is all about doing your job as a responsible parent and your kids are going to get out of it what you put into it.
This is something the wife and I will have to work out. I may have to girt my teeth for awhile because keeping the peace is the No.1 priority
I appreciate you taking the time.
Paslode