Give kids guns for Christmas!!

[Dusty Miller]

What could be better than giving a youngster a SA .22 revolver for Christmas?  (Get clearance from parents first).  Throw in a few boxes of .22 shorts and some targets to get'm started.  

[sgtt]

I think a rifle would be a better choice.

[Daveinthebush]

Probably illegal in many states also.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

OK, so give the kid's parents a .22 revolver, but give the ammo and target to the kid.

I've got four kids.  Would you like my address?  We already have a Marlin 15YN.  A Ruger Bearcat or single six would be nice tho.

[Flinch]

When I was 13 my dad got me a Ruger mark1 22 pistol for my B-day. I still have it and will never sell it.  It may have been against the law back then, but I was proud to own it, and never did anything to get in trouble with it. We also lived so far from other people I doubt I could have gotten in any trouble if I wanted to.
 I dont think giving kids guns is a bad thing, but I think it depends on the kid,  some kids are less mature then others and need more adult supervision. Also the location where you live is important. If the only place they can shoot is at a range 75 miles away, chances are hes not going to shoot much, thats like giving a kid a bike, and not allowing him to ride it.  Just my opinion.

[bobg]

It's not legal in NYS but i am going to give my grandson a 22 rifle for Christmas. When no one is looking he also shoots my handguns.
     bobg

[bigjeepman]

I think the point to this post is to share what we all enjoy with someone who is young? This is sharing something as American as apple pie in my opinion. Today's kids have a ton of diversions that can lead them to laziness, obesity, and trouble.

Please find someone who might be your son, daughter, nephew, niece or just some kid you know who could use a little help in life. My favorite times/memories shooting or hunting have always included my son, my daughter, or other family members and their children. Show them that firearms are a "good thing" and teach them the respect you have for them. I buy my son at least one firearm every year for his birthday or Christmas. He turns 21 this November and I have asked him to let me give him something I cannot buy ... to teach what I know about reloading. Reloading gave me a totally different perspective toward shooting and hunting that is hard for me to explain but I know you reloaders know what I am talking about.

[TScottO]

I've been thinking about buying my six year old neice a SS Ruger Bearcat. Everytime I see that gun at the local shop it cries her name. Buying kids a gun is a great idea.

Be Safe,
Scott

[sgtt]

I agree with the concept.  We must be carefull though as not to send the wrong message to the child or the gun grabbers.

[Camp Cook]

I gave my son a s/s T/C Contender carbine with a 16.5" 22lr barrel for Christmas one year and every other year after that all I did was purchased another barrel for him to grow with. The second barrel was a 18.5" 10mm then a 30-30 barrel that I later had improved to a wildcat designed by M i k e   B  e  l  l  m called a 308 B  e  l  l  m then the last barrel was a 45-70.  He has now moved up into a Remington 700 Mountain rifle chambered in 280 Rem and he still takes the T/C in the 22lr every time we go out in the mountains or go hunting.
Cam

[smoky]

Of course it is not legal for kids to own guns as per registration requirements I think you have to be 18 to have a long gun in your name and 21 to have a pistol in your name.  However, it is perfectly legal for kids to shoot guns and have possession of guns that they deem as theirs (each state having its specific requirements and such).

I still "own" a shotgun today that is registered in my dad's name.  He gave it to me for Christmas when I was 10.  It was "mine" from day one, HOWEVER, there were many rules that went with it that would have made it not mine had I broken them.

"Giving" a kid a firearm for a special occaision is a super gift.  Of course the best gift is the time spent teaching them the proper use and safety that goes with it.

Smoky

[papajohn428]

Since I could barely afford my own guns and shooting habit, I found a cheaper solution.  When my oldest nephew was six, I have him a brick of .22 ammo.  He didn't have any guns, as his mother wouldn't permit them in the house, but she didn't mind if I took him shooting.  But I noticed something funny about his attitude, too.  When I took him shooting with all MY ammo and guns, he burned 22 shells like they were free.  But once we started shooting HIS ammo, he got a lot more conservative, and made every shot count.  It made him a better shot, and to this day he treats HIS ammo like it's a dollar a shot.  Over the years the calibers I gave him got bigger, and he is talking about buying his own handguns, probably a 45ACP and a 44 Magnum.  I gently reminded him that if he buys and shoots his own guns, I won't be cleaning them for him!   :eek:   Maybe this year I'll get him a good cleaning kit!

Uncle Papajohn  (But he calls me "Juncle Ohnny")