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JudyKayTee · Apr 6, 2011, 10:25 AM

I don't know how I feel about this.

My husband and I went to a gun auction last weekend. The ticket included X drawings and dinner and the usual "stuff." People walked through the tables selling tickets and chances on guns (rifles, hand guns) and equipment. Nothing unusual.

There were Boy Scouts in uniform also walking through the crowd, with the rifles (I never saw a Boy Scout with a handgun), demonistrating them to the crowd. A couple of the boys were wearing the Junior Uniform (whatever they are called) and some were wearing "regular" Boy Scout uniforms. I asked a couple of them how old they were and the oldest was 15.

At one point one of the boys brought a rifle up to his shoulder and an adult stepped in and took it away from him.

I was rather shocked and I don't know that Boy Scouts have a position on gun control but I was surprised to see the group represented. This was NOT a fund raiser for the Boy Scouts and WAS a fund raiser for a gun club.

Anyone have thoughts about this?

ballengerb1 · Apr 6, 2011, 10:47 AM

Yep, I got one, your hubby needs to take you on nicer dates. :) Cub Scouts are the blue uniform. This does sound a bit weird. Could one of their parents be in charge of the auction? Someone of authority had to hand them the guns to demo.

Wondergirl · Apr 6, 2011, 10:48 AM

I was a Cub Scout den mother for seven years and never had to deal with guns or gun use merit badges. Apparently, there is such a thing for older Scouts, as indicated here:

Rifle Shooting Merit Badge and Worksheet

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/...s/mb-RIFL.aspx

The BSA is very much into respect, so it sounds like the auction you attended badly handled its inclusion of Cub, maybe Webelos, and Boy Scouts. And I'd wonder about troop leaders.

JudyKayTee · Apr 6, 2011, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Yep, I got one, your hubby needs to take you on nicer dates. :) Cub Scouts are the blue uniform. This does sound a bit weird. Could one of their parents be in charge of the auction?? Someone of authority had to hand them the guns to demo.

I don't remember going to gun auctions when we were dating - odd, isn't it? :D

ballengerb1 · Apr 6, 2011, 11:04 AM

It's the ring, changes everything

joypulv · Apr 12, 2011, 03:33 AM

Wait a minute; your hubby 'took you?' For all we know, it was your idea. ballengerb1, do you assume that a woman at a gun auction has been dragged there against her will? (LOL, of course.)

I'll take a wild guess at the Boy Scouts and say maybe a scout leader is also a member of the gun club.
My belief is that marksmanship training is good for teens as long as there is a LOT of emphasis on responsibility. I wouldn't give one the right to demonstrate to a crowd, however. Like the Karate Kid, they have to paint the fence first, and then the other side of the fence, before they can even begin.

In the early 60s my brother learned how to shoot from my dad's dad, my parents bought him a rifle, and he pointed it at passing cars. They took it away from him and that was that. Not enough time spent on training outside of aiming at a target.

Fr_Chuck · Apr 12, 2011, 03:56 AM

I will assume different areas may have different activities that are done, But see no real issue with scouts at a gun show,
*** you were there, so why not them ?

Just Dahlia · Apr 19, 2011, 06:45 PM

Just my opinion, but it would have freaked me out and I would have left.:)

JudyKayTee · Apr 19, 2011, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by joypulv

Wait a minute; your hubby 'took you?' For all we know, it was your idea. ballengerb1, do you assume that a woman at a gun auction has been dragged there against her will? (LOL, of course.)

I'll take a wild guess at the Boy Scouts and say maybe a scout leader is also a member of the gun club.
My belief is that marksmanship training is good for teens as long as there is a LOT of emphasis on responsibility. I wouldn't give one the right to demonstrate to a crowd, however. Like the Karate Kid, they have to paint the fence first, and then the other side of the fence, before they can even begin.

In the early 60s my brother learned how to shoot from my dad's dad, my parents bought him a rifle, and he pointed it at passing cars. They took it away from him and that was that. Not enough time spent on training outside of aiming at a target.

"Took me" in the context of this was HIS event, HIS club had a table, I was the guest. There was no kicking and dragging me.

I heard the words, "Dinner," and realized I wouldn't have to cook that dinner. I got to dress like an adult (high heel shoes and all) and so I jumped a the chance.

All was well - except for the Boy Scouts thing. I DID write a letter to the local Boy Scout council. They knew nothing about this and were not happy.

That will be the last time they will be a presence.

So next year I will have to cook my own dinner and wear my "at home" clothing on that night.

ballengerb1 · Apr 19, 2011, 07:11 PM

Sad but you got to stand up for what's right.

Alty · Apr 19, 2011, 07:18 PM

Wow! I'd freak.

My son was a boy scout. Of course in Canada owning any type of weapon takes all sorts of permits, red tape, swearing on your mothers life that you're sane, responsible, not going through a divorce, not homicidal (ya, it's on the form) blah, blah, blah. Then, if you're lucky, you'll get a permit within 2 years of applying for one, and that's just for a rifle. If you want a handgun, you're in it for the long haul.

Someone underage, no way no how are you getting your hands on a gun. Heck, good luck getting a sling shot if you're under 18.

shazamataz · Apr 20, 2011, 06:31 AM

Don't they sell guns in department stores in the US? To me that just sounds crazy. We have a couple of gun stores here but they are locked up tighter than Fort Knox.

No way a kid would be allowed to touch a gun here let alone fire one.
Heck, you need special certificates to carry a baton. OH is trying to get one through customs at the moment that he purchased from the US and even though he has all the right certificates they are still reluctant to release it.

cdad · Apr 24, 2011, 06:38 PM

Guns aren't that strange around children if they are raised with them. But you never should see a child "play" with a real gun. That's just inviting a mental attitude that will cause disaster. But little plinkers like a 22 and at the range is OK.

And in stores where they sell them they are behind a counter under lock and key. A gun show is a bit different.