Quote:
Originally Posted by ratbastid
A car's not built for killing things.
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Okay, let's play with this statement and really kill the thread since it's going
down-down-down like that Bruce Springsteen hit from when I was born.
I want someone to pick up an instruction manual for a firearm manufactured in the last 75 years and find a heading that says something about killing things (people). Funny, I've a working knowledge of over a hundred different firearms and I just haven't seen any product literature where my target pistol or deer rifle or concealed carry revolver or steel plate competition AR tells me to go and "kill things." Nope, it talks about safety, disassembly, and cleaning. I wonder why that is? Intended use, maybe? I wonder if the manufacturers of the Swiss Army knife had to change their EULA after OJ sliced and diced himself some Nicole Brown with one of their fine products? Probably not.
People are just cranky about guns because they're more effective than other implements. That's all it is.
Bodycountability.
Blame transference and shotgun litigation have made us all morons.
...
And I concur with you 100%. Young kids shouldn't have unsupervised access to firearms. Ever. They're just straight stupid. Curious, impulsive, and dumber 'n mud. Laws shouldn't be used to reinforce common sense, it should be the other way 'round. I don't care if you live in the US, the UK, or Zimbabwe... kids are very similar in the traits listed above. Education helps reduce issues, but only responsible storage behaviors and handling training prevent issues like what we encounter on a daily basis here in the Most Violent Country in the Universe (TM).
At 16? Maybe... if you, as a parent, are willing to risk your life over it. Don't worry about your training or your kid, just worry about the wild world out there and their interpretation of your parenting. I'm not going to chance it, I've seen the ringer in action.
At 18? You're your own legal target, so have at it. I'll probably buy my offspring a high skool graduation present similar to what my father got for me back in the day, a nice target rifle.
When I finally find a mate and decide to produce a wittle Crompling, said creature will be schooled from day one that firearms are not toys (like a butcher knife or power drill) but they are not dangerous if handled properly. No fear, just responsibility. Safe handling should be a way of life, not something that causes someone to sweat. If it turns out my Crompling has homicidal tendencies... well, they don't have the combo to the vault, anyway.