I know someone who's husband frequently takes their 5 year old son out onto their property to shoot handguns. (revolver) They have the child wear ear plugs (for protection) but it seems odd to me that this is legal. This seems extremely dangerous and has to be breaking some sort of law. I am just curious and a bit concerned.

I would like to know if there are any specific laws that prohibit this act and where I may be able to find them?

Or, if there is any state website that specifically states that this is in fact not illegal?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Hello a:

Nahh.. It's not illegal.. They don't have a book telling us what's legal - only one telling us what's NOT.

excon

Illegal, wrong ?

This is one of the best things they could do, esp if they keep firearms in the house. Children should be taught gun safety, they should know the difference between real and toy guns,

Also by allowing them to shoot they take the mystery out of the gun, so kids don't need to sneak it out to look at it.

I would not start them much younger than 5 but that is a great age to start, Soon they also make youth size 22 rifles and that should be the next step.

I would wait till about 10 to start with a 410 shotgun, since it has a higher recoil.

But while all experts recommend that it all depends on the maturity of the child, 5 is about the age most state is a good time to start.

What or why do you think it is strange ? Is it strange they would teach a 5 year old to play foot ball or base ball.

Or start showing them how to hammer a nail or fix a leaky pipe.

It just seems a little young for this sort of sport. Guns should not be a mystery if you keep them in the house but a 5 year old has no real purpose with a gun just like they do not need to fix a leaky pipe...

Most professional gun sites and experts recommend 5 as the age to start as long as they are mature.

Shooting is to many of us, also merely a sport also, like baseball, football and others, And or a activity to share in hunting as the child grows older,

So where they doing anything unsafe, it sounded like they were using hearing protection

The situation seemed very controlled and as safe as it could possibly have been. They were using protection and at no time was the kid unattended or not in direct supervision. I think it is great that they are teaching gun safety. But there are safety concerns that immediately came to mind. Like the kick back of firing a gun and whether a 5 year old's hands could hold the gun properly without injury or harm done to the wrist, bones, or tendons.

I don't think less of the parents for teaching proper gun techniques and safety. I think it's a great idea. Just a little soon.

Although, it seems that it is common practice according to the responses. Good to know now I guess.

Teaching somebody a sport is not teaching somebody how to take a life. Children are still developing. Teaching a child how to take a life while a child is developing is child abuse.

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Originally Posted by jhabedank

Teaching somebody a sport is not teaching somebody how to take a life. Children are still developing. Teaching a child how to take a life while a child is developing is child abuse.

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A child is not allowed to go to an R rated movie or Strip club. Why? Because it would harm them psychologically.

So now why are children allowed to learn how to take a life?