12 year old access to a gun?

[joko104]

There was a news report of a 12 year old girl who shot a burglar. The story, as reported, is she was home alone and someone rang the doorbell repeatedly. Per her mother's instructions, she did not answer. Peeking out a window she saw a scary adult man and called her mom. As she did, the person started pounding on the door.

The mother told her 12 year old to 1.) "get the gun," 2.) get in the closet and 3.) call the police. While talking to the police, she heard a window broken and then saw the doorknob to the closet turning. She shot thru the door, hitting the burglar but not lethally. She has never fired a gun before. The burglar caught. The 12 yo was interviewed and seemed more mature and calmer than most 12 YO.

Whatjathink? Should a 12 year old home alone have access to a handgun? Should all guns be locked away? Hidden fairly good, maybe with some seal over it so known if accessed, or maybe in a combo lock box - but all that works only if the child has time to call and get instructions and get it open or finds it.

Would you allow a 12 year old home alone to have access to a loaded firearm? Should that even be legal?

Opinions?

 

[Spartacus FPV]

There was a news report of a 12 year old girl who shot a burglar. The story, as reported, is she was home alone and someone rang the doorbell repeatedly. Per her mother's instructions, she did not answer. Peeking out a window she saw a scary adult man and called her mom. As she did, the person started pounding on the door.

The mother told her 12 year old to 1.) "get the gun," 2.) get in the closet and 3.) call the police. While talking to the police, she heard a window broken and then saw the doorknob to the closet turning. She shot thru the door, hitting the burglar but not lethally. She has never fired a gun before. The burglar caught. The 12 yo was interviewed and seemed more mature and calmer than most 12 YO.

Whatjathink? Should a 12 year old home alone have access to a handgun? Should all guns be locked away? Hidden fairly good, maybe with some seal over it so known if accessed, or maybe in a combo lock box - but all that works only if the child has time to call and get instructions and get it open or finds it.

Would you allow a 12 year old home alone to have access to a loaded firearm? Should that even be legal?

Opinions?

Depends on where and how they were raised. Its not uncommon in many parts of the country for a child that age to own his own 22 rifle, and revolver in case of varmints on the property. Many fathers take their sons camping, hunting and shooting at an early age.

However, many children do not share this experience, do not know how to safely operate a gun and should not be exposed to loaded weapons left about. In some states its illegal no matter what, I for one am glad this child did have access to a firearm.

 

[Tigger]

A 12 year old child of mine would have access to a handgun and know how to use it. They would also know not to touch it without proper authorization and/or adult supervision. I would rather see a dead burglar, shot by my child than a ransacked home or assaulted kid.

 

[Fisher]

I grew up in a house where you could trip over guns we had so many and was hunting with them well before 12. I however keep my guns locked away because you just never know, but I am not sure a 12 year old girl should be left at home alone with or without a gun in this day and age, but that is a whole other issue. I guess to the original question it just depends on the girl.

 

[lizzie]

I think it depends entirely on the individual 12 year-old, as some of them are calm and collected under pressure, and others panic easily. Kids who have grown up around guns are more likely to be able to handle them with calmness and ease, because they are no mystery.

 

[Mach]

Makes me think of that movie Kick-ass.

If you have a gun-oriented family, very possibly. My neighbor was cajun, he handled hunting firearms from a very early age. Friend took a hunting course this weekend, said it was mostly young teens (he's in his thirties). Kind of surprised us.

 

[RabidAlpaca]

There was a news report of a 12 year old girl who shot a burglar. The story, as reported, is she was home alone and someone rang the doorbell repeatedly. Per her mother's instructions, she did not answer. Peeking out a window she saw a scary adult man and called her mom. As she did, the person started pounding on the door.

The mother told her 12 year old to 1.) "get the gun," 2.) get in the closet and 3.) call the police. While talking to the police, she heard a window broken and then saw the doorknob to the closet turning. She shot thru the door, hitting the burglar but not lethally. She has never fired a gun before. The burglar caught. The 12 yo was interviewed and seemed more mature and calmer than most 12 YO.

Whatjathink? Should a 12 year old home alone have access to a handgun? Should all guns be locked away? Hidden fairly good, maybe with some seal over it so known if accessed, or maybe in a combo lock box - but all that works only if the child has time to call and get instructions and get it open or finds it.

Would you allow a 12 year old home alone to have access to a loaded firearm? Should that even be legal?

Opinions?

The detail I hone in on is that she had never fired the gun before. If a kid is going to have such access to a gun, her parents should have taken her several times to the range and given her an extensive safety course.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

There was a news report of a 12 year old girl who shot a burglar. The story, as reported, is she was home alone and someone rang the doorbell repeatedly. Per her mother's instructions, she did not answer. Peeking out a window she saw a scary adult man and called her mom. As she did, the person started pounding on the door.

The mother told her 12 year old to 1.) "get the gun," 2.) get in the closet and 3.) call the police. While talking to the police, she heard a window broken and then saw the doorknob to the closet turning. She shot thru the door, hitting the burglar but not lethally. She has never fired a gun before. The burglar caught. The 12 yo was interviewed and seemed more mature and calmer than most 12 YO.

Whatjathink? Should a 12 year old home alone have access to a handgun? Should all guns be locked away? Hidden fairly good, maybe with some seal over it so known if accessed, or maybe in a combo lock box - but all that works only if the child has time to call and get instructions and get it open or finds it.

Would you allow a 12 year old home alone to have access to a loaded firearm? Should that even be legal?

Opinions?

Of course - obviously.

Because even 12 year old girls home alone can fall victim to attacks and people breaking and entering their home.

Do you honest want to rewrite that and say "but there was no gun - or she didn't have the key to the gunsafe - so she was raped and murdered...or abducted and never seen again"

I mean seriously - think about the implications of 'if she DIDN'T have the gun'

I think I'd rather my kids be able to protect their selves SOMEHOW - holy **** . . . it's horrifying ot think what happens to the kids who can't and don't do exactly that. How many kdis have been abducted and / or murdered in 2012 alone?

According to the Department of Justice statistics: over 500,000 kids are reported missing each year - and around 100 are abducted and murdered - on average - every year.

We live in a horrific society.

 

[joko104]

So far, it seems like no one agrees with Canada (this has been discussed before)

Man shocked by arrest after daughter draws picture of gun at school | therecord

 

[joko104]

I don't think we ever left our daughter alone - and that rare - until she was 16. But she knew where we had a 16 gauge legally shortened Semi-auto shotgun was put for those times. Under her bed. But our house so fortified it unlikely ever would come to that anyway. Still, just in case...

So this leads then to the next question. If your 16 year old was going for a daytime trip to a remote park with a friend, should she be allowed a firearm? That definitely is illegal in most states, at least not a handgun. Can't even get a CCW permit until 21. Strangely, a person is Florida can become a LEO at age 19, but can't get a CCW until 21. Bizarre.

 

[molten_dragon]

The detail I hone in on is that she had never fired the gun before. If a kid is going to have such access to a gun, her parents should have taken her several times to the range and given her an extensive safety course.

That was the same thing I noticed. I'm glad it turned out okay for the kid and she was able to force the burglar to leave, but her parents really should have taught her to shoot if there was a chance she was going to be handling a gun.

As far as the general question of whether a twelve year old should have access to a gun, I don't see why not as long as they've proven that they can handle it responsibly. I intend to start teaching my kids to handle guns as soon as they're old enough to take it seriously.

 

[Rainman05]

Unless its a zombie invasion going about in the world, there is no reason why children under 16 (I personally believe it should be 21, but heck, the US is wierd with driving license at 16 and drinking age at 21) should have access to guns.

 

[Spartacus FPV]

Unless its a zombie invasion going about in the world, there is no reason why children under 16 (I personally believe it should be 21, but heck, the US is wierd with driving license at 16 and drinking age at 21) should have access to guns.

So self defense is no reason? Home invasions? Pest control?

If you're 21 and a day old you're fine, but 20 and 364 and its "f*** you, better pray the gunman is having a good day?"

 

[lizzie]

Unless its a zombie invasion going about in the world, there is no reason why children under 16 (I personally believe it should be 21, but heck, the US is wierd with driving license at 16 and drinking age at 21) should have access to guns.

I've known 10 year-olds who are safe with guns, and 50 year-olds who are a danger to themselves and others. Age doesn't determine one's ability to use a gun safely or effectively.

 

[Rainman05]

I've known 10 year-olds who are safe with guns, and 50 year-olds who are a danger to themselves and others. Age doesn't determine one's ability to use a gun safely or effectively.

So self defense is no reason? Home invasions? Pest control?

No. giving children guns in the event of them having to defend themselves or their homes is a bad idea. Prevent getting in conflicts as much as possible and if there is an intruder, better leave the house than confront him if you are a child. You may end up dead. A gun isn't the answer in either situation since chances are it will cause much more harm than good.

As for kids you know... I assume safety is a relative term. Indeed, people who are without gun training are the biggest dangers to themselves. But age is a factor and giving a child power over life and death is not nearly the same as giving it to 50 years old.

 

[tessaesque]

If the child has been taught gun safety and handling and is familiar with the firearm, I see no reason why a child should not have access to a gun in life-or-death situations. I would hope like hell that my 12 year old child were never put in that position, but I would never be so naive as to think that any gun I have in the house is completely outside of my child's reach, so whether or not they're ever at risk I feel they should be well versed in safe and proper weapons handling.

My dad taught me about our home defense gun when I was 7 years old. I was a latch-key kid; I stayed home alone from 7 until adulthood from 3pm until 6 or 7pm most days of the week. I was taught how to load the clip, disengage the safety, and aim. I was told what I should never do with a gun, and what I should to before I considered firing one. I never went for the gun when I was home alone...ever. But we had a medium sized dog who SOUNDED ferocious whenever somebody knocked, rang the bell, or got within the dog's range of hearing, so I'm sure his bark might have warded off any would-be invaders.

 

[lizzie]

No. giving children guns in the event of them having to defend themselves or their homes is a bad idea. Prevent getting in conflicts as much as possible and if there is an intruder, better leave the house than confront him if you are a child. You may end up dead. A gun isn't the answer in either situation since chances are it will cause much more harm than good.

As for kids you know... I assume safety is a relative term. Indeed, people who are without gun training are the biggest dangers to themselves. But age is a factor and giving a child power over life and death is not nearly the same as giving it to 50 years old.

It was obviously a good answer in this particular situation. Realistically, a child having to defend himself or his home is not a great situation, but it's better to defend yourself than run, as passivity tends to embolden criminals.

 

[Spartacus FPV]

No. giving children guns in the event of them having to defend themselves or their homes is a bad idea.

If they are trained in its safe use why is it a bad idea? What if you live in bear country, better off leaving your children at the mercy of the bear?

Prevent getting in conflicts as much as possible and if there is an intruder, better leave the house than confront him if you are a child. You may end up dead.

Same goes if the intruder doesn't leave you the option of escape.

A gun isn't the answer in either situation since chances are it will cause much more harm than good.

Source for that claim?

I would never deny anyone the right to defend themselves, age is irrelevant with training. I can think of a great many circumstances, which occur daily in this country, where law abiding citizens, children too, should have a gun.

 

[joko104]

Why do I envision raging if a 12 year old fearfully shot the mail deliverer or a neighbor kid harassing her over her/him having access to a loaded 357 mag?

I also have a problem with "no training" of the story. But maybe the gun was hidden and the daughter only told where in the phone call?

With training, I still would want it secured so other kids didn't get it or the child/teen didn't show it off or mess with it. Probably in a push-button lock box and gluing a unique paper seal over the lip of the cover so the child/teen would know I would know it had been opened. I do think there needs to be a lot of safeguards, not just "I'm going to the store, so hold onto this Glock until I returned."

 

[ksu_aviator]

I had access to 5 shotguns and 3 rifles from the time I was 10. But I also attend a hunter's education course and my dad spent a lot of time with me shooting pop cans and paper targets. I plan on doing the same with my son.

 

[Goshin]

There was a news report of a 12 year old girl who shot a burglar. The story, as reported, is she was home alone and someone rang the doorbell repeatedly. Per her mother's instructions, she did not answer. Peeking out a window she saw a scary adult man and called her mom. As she did, the person started pounding on the door.

The mother told her 12 year old to 1.) "get the gun," 2.) get in the closet and 3.) call the police. While talking to the police, she heard a window broken and then saw the doorknob to the closet turning. She shot thru the door, hitting the burglar but not lethally. She has never fired a gun before. The burglar caught. The 12 yo was interviewed and seemed more mature and calmer than most 12 YO.

Whatjathink? Should a 12 year old home alone have access to a handgun? Should all guns be locked away? Hidden fairly good, maybe with some seal over it so known if accessed, or maybe in a combo lock box - but all that works only if the child has time to call and get instructions and get it open or finds it.

Would you allow a 12 year old home alone to have access to a loaded firearm? Should that even be legal?

Opinions?

It depends on many things.


First of all, the child and their upbringing. The parent must know their child well and know for sure that their child is capable of this level of responsibility, and has had adequate training with firearms, and adequate instruction in when to/not to shoot, and that they can be trusted with this.

Secondly, the circumstances and neighborhood... if your neighborhood has basically zero crime (as some DP'ers have claimed... I have my doubts personally but I'll give benefit of the doubt) then you might assess that the risk is not worth the insurance of giving the 12yo access to a firearm. If someone breaking in while the child is alone is a possibility that is statistically non-zero, then one might consider the issue in light of my first and most important point: is the child ready for such a responsibility.

I was allowed to keep a loaded shotgun under my bed at age 12, and to hunt alone at that age, and to act as backup for my Dad when investigating a "bump in the night"... but I'd been raised with firearms and had been shooting since age 5, and we lived in the countryside. Unfortuantely we also lived near the Interstate highway, and break-ins were (and still are) an occasional issue locally.

I gave my son the combination to the gunsafe when he turned 12. He had been raised as I was, not only to handle guns skillfully and understand the basic legalities of shoot/no-shoot, but also with respect for human life and the Ten Commandments hammered in from the cradle. I trusted him and felt that on balance, it was the right decision to give him access to my guns.

He is now almost 17 and has yet to give me any reason to regret this decision.

 

[Goshin]

The detail I hone in on is that she had never fired the gun before. If a kid is going to have such access to a gun, her parents should have taken her several times to the range and given her an extensive safety course.

Absolutely. IMO any gun-owning home should train the children from an early age in safe firearms handling, both to de-mystify the guns and remove the allure of the taboo, as well as a safety precaution against the rare case of an actual criminal threat or other incident.

 

[Goshin]

So far, it seems like no one agrees with Canada (this has been discussed before)

Man shocked by arrest after daughter draws picture of gun at school | therecord

That is appalling beyond words.

 

[Spartacus FPV]

It depends on many things.


First of all, the child and their upbringing. The parent must know their child well and know for sure that their child is capable of this level of responsibility, and has had adequate training with firearms, and adequate instruction in when to/not to shoot, and that they can be trusted with this.

Secondly, the circumstances and neighborhood... if your neighborhood has basically zero crime (as some DP'ers have claimed... I have my doubts personally but I'll give benefit of the doubt) then you might assess that the risk is not worth the insurance of giving the 12yo access to a firearm. If someone breaking in while the child is alone is a possibility that is statistically non-zero, then one might consider the issue in light of my first and most important point: is the child ready for such a responsibility.

I was allowed to keep a loaded shotgun under my bed at age 12, and to hunt alone at that age, and to act as backup for my Dad when investigating a "bump in the night"... but I'd been raised with firearms and had been shooting since age 5, and we lived in the countryside. Unfortuantely we also lived near the Interstate highway, and break-ins were (and still are) an occasional issue locally.

I gave my son the combination to the gunsafe when he turned 12. He had been raised as I was, not only to handle guns skillfully and understand the basic legalities of shoot/no-shoot, but also with respect for human life and the Ten Commandments hammered in from the cradle. I trusted him and felt that on balance, it was the right decision to give him access to my guns.

He is now almost 17 and has yet to give me any reason to regret this decision.

Every instructor i've met said never to go investigating a "bump in the night" especially if you're certain its an intruder. Get everyone to the planned safe room (or panic room if you're lucky), lock it, call 911 and maintain contact, and only if the intruder tries to get into said safe room do you use the weapon as the last resort.

The concern being that if you go investigating, you may be shot by the intruder, shoot an "innocent intruder" (wrong house, drunk, etc..), or worse, be the gunman in the Policeman's sights when they arrive.

 

[Spartacus FPV]

That is appalling beyond words.

I was once sent home for making an Origami handgun when I was ~10.

This kind of irrationality about guns is abhorrent. "What do you have there Jimmy? An Avenger's lunchbox? Sorry Jimmy, that girl and her Glock 26's make us afraid you might pull a Columbine on your classmates."