Depends... do you want to keep them as friends?

Srsly, you expressed your concern. You're done.

 

This is my son in laws brother. They are part of the family. I'd like to see the kids grow up together and play together and feel that my grand daughter is in a safe environment. I can't just move on.

 

I got my first .22 at 6. A 7 year old can be very responsible with parental supervision. No child should be left alone with a bb gun. It can teach gun safety, mechanics, and responsibility if it is supervised when the child has it. If it is not supervised that is on the parents. No child should be left alone with a firearm of any type whether it be powder or air propelled. You said your piece, it is up to the parents now, not you. Some people have to learn the hard way.

 

I too saved soda bottles at .02 Cents each and bought a BB gun in South Fulton Ky. I was 7 or 8 I think. Walked all over town with it, and nothing was ever thought about it. Wow Different times Eh?

 

All BB guns should be used with parental guidance. Duh. It says so on the packaging if I'm not mistaken. Are you sure they are not going to just give it to him as a gift, but keep it under lock and key and only give it to him while they can supervise? I know where you're coming from. However, there really is nothing you can do about it. If they are giving it to him along with the BB's and letting him have full possession of it, they are pretty stupid, and you know you can't fix stupid.

Tell them your concern, let them know you are not "anti" and that you very much support the 2nd Amendment, however children need to be taught properly how to safely handle firearms. Let them know the dangers of unsupervised use by a 7 year old. Then it's out of your hands.

 

Is the BB gun going to be stored in the child's room? Will the child have unsupervised access to the BB gun? Is it YOUR child? If no, I'd butt out...not your business. It's a good time for the child to learn first hand the rules of safe firearm handling...but the parents need to be involved.

Now, if you're questioning their parenting...well, no one really wins that discussion.

Quite frankly, I caught some grief from some friends and family when I got my (then) 9 yr old a .22 for Christmas....I told them in somewhat polite terms (some folks in not so polite terms)..."I'm the parent, you are not...I'm teaching him safe gun handling now so I don't have to correct bad behavior later....and if you don't like it, get bent...it's none of your business"

5 years later, hasn't been a problem. Why? My son didn't have free access to the gun, was supervised when handling, shooting, and cleaning and he practiced what he was taught.

 

You know what I'd do...

Send that kid a hand made 'Gift Certificate' for a Christmas gift.
On that certificate (a sheet of typed/printed paper) I would detail that it is good for TWO FREE!!! introduction to gun safety & handling seminars at a max of 2 hrs. each (max attention span for the age group).
I'd detail that the seminar will include; The basics of how to handle a firearm (see the NRA Gun Safety Rules!), what necessary and mandatory safety gear is required (EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY!!!!), as well I'd have a review of what are acceptable _objects_ to use as targets for practice and what ARE NOT acceptable including animals, pets, people (!) and private property.
As well I would provide the boy with BB & pellet gun foam shooting target block (I bought one for my daughter from Wal-Mart in Nov....It cost $5.99 by Crosmann and will last forever), two pair of youth sized shooting glasses ($3.99 and one for himself as well as a second for his best friend who WILL be with him!).
On the certificate I would indicate that the seminars are good for the boy plus his two best friends AND any parent who might like to attend (!!!).

Further I would put an expiration date on it of something like January 1st....Reason being you want this boy in YOUR hands ASAP so that you can get to him early and quick before he either develops poor/bad habits and/or winds up endangering himself or another.

This way you are not fighting a block head parent (they are block heads!) and rather supporting them but at the same time doing what is best for the child.
IMHO we all as adults have a moral responsibility to look out for children if and when we can. As shooting enthusiasts, who are not just game talkers and mall ninjas, this responsibility is doubled when it comes to children handling firearms, including BB/pellet guns and other projectile firing devices such as AirSoft and paintball markers (!).
Because the childs parent/guardian are not wise enough to see the danger potential is no excuse to shirk our own moral responsibility, to a child of our community...And who very possibly down the road may end up being a representative of our sport & tradition. Be he a future Todd Garrett or Jerry Miculek...Or Possibly the next Willie Horton(poster child) or Dylan Klebold
Every end has a a beginning.

Imagine if one among us had known or met Dylan Klebold years prior to he and his sidekick hooking in to become mental baskets.
This of the very real backlash against guns in general and our shooting community in specific that came from that incident, and to this day remain in the hearts & minds of real people who VOTE.
Situations such as exactly this with parents not thinking fully or most wisely can be spun into a positive IF an individual makes an effort to step up and forward to fill in where others might let a child down.

This is exactly what I'd do toward a child, never mind a family member by relation.

- Janq

P.S.
Additionally I'd research local offerings for children as related to firearms safety & training offered by either state wildlife agencys, the NRA, local law enforcement (!), Boy Scouts, Izaak Walton League, Appleseed, and/or the National Shooting Sports Foundation among others.
All the items you find that are free, print them off and include in this gift package. Any items that have a fee if you can afford it out of pocket then I'd offer to pay or provide transpo.
This will in a direct but soft way put the kids parents on front street showing how irresponsible they are as to not be thinking of these things...Which very often are low cost if not no cost.

 

Janq's approach eloquently and in detail describes what I had in mind. You have an opportunity here to be part of the solution, and to take positive steps to ensure safe use of the BB gun. Educating the parents is at least as important as educating the young shooter. The age of 7 to me is not a special concern... it depends on the kid. I've seen a 5 year-old safely and competently handle a Crickett .22, and I've seen adults whose muzzle and trigger discipline is positively frightening.

Also, I would encourage the gift-giver to consider a long gun such as a Red Ryder for a first gun, or an Airsoft if it "has" to be a handgun. The rifle requires more deliberate actions for its use and it's likely to be more rewarding for its accuracy. I'm not sure about the absolute power in airsoft guns, but certainly the projectile is less likely to be as destructive as a steel BB.

 

cut out articles of people being shot for holding hose nozzles, and other things that look like guns and leave them anonymously in their mailbox. I agree that 7 is too young for almost all kids to have a (bb) gun unsupervised. Janq's suggestions might get some traction...

 

One wonders what the "right" age is for a child to have a BB gun. At what point do you give them a single gun case to lock up their BB gun in their room? Do you let them keep the BB gun but not the BBs? That probably won't work as any kid worth his salt can pocket some BBs. This is an interesting thread because guess what my 9 yr old (10 in Feb) has under the tree this year? Yep, a BB gun (rifle though, not a pistol).

Oh, and his 8 year old sister (who is a HUGE Avatar fan) has a recurve bow under there as well... with steel tip target arrows. No, she won't be allowed to keep those in her room.

 

I believe you can introduce children to firearms and bb guns very early in life. The key is only letting them shoot it when under supervision until they prove they are responsible! I did some crazy stuff with my friends as kids and I don't know how none of us really hurt.

 

Did they give him the BB gun and allow un-supervised use, or supervised use only? There's the difference.

 

Is it a BB gun or an Airsoft gun. There is a huge difference.

Regardless it isn't a problem as long as proper education is introduced.

 

I got my first Daisy Red Ryder BB gun when I was nine. My dad was a good instructor. My next gun, a 20 ga. shotgun at 10. Christmas at twelve, a High Standard "Double Nine" .22 revolver. I was supervised with all. For 2 years, all I was allowed to shoot in the revolver was .22 shorts. At 14, I was allowed to shoot anything unsupervised because, as my dad said, I had proven myself to be responsible. Yes, things were different in rural Ohio in the 50's, but that is what a lot of kids lack today. It's not that they are irresponsible, it's that they never had the opportunity of learning the ins and outs of firearms, and the possible consequences of making an error in judgement.

At 66, I still own a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun (Wal Mart is selling the 70th Anniversary Red Ryder for $25, which I bought) and whenever a grandkid comes I teach them to shoot no matter what their age. The point is "supervised".

 

The man who introduced me to hunting 50+ years ago when my age was still single digits kept his guns on a rack in his son's room, and his son was 2 years younger than me. He must have been doing something right.

 

Suggestions? Give everyone in their family safety goggles for Christmas. Also give them a copy of the movie "A Christmas Story", and perhaps a free ringtone from the movie of someone saying, "you'll shoot your eye out, kid."

 

Although I do agree that it depends entirely on the child (and the parenting), I believe a 7 year old is old enough to handle a BB gun safely. I got a Red Ryder right around that same age, and a BB gun pistol within a couple years of that. My dad setup a box with carpet inside of it to attach targets to in our basement. Later, I added a trap at the bottom that made all BBs roll into a cup. A well trained child can be safer than an average adult.

Perfect example, was posted on this forum a while back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2rKj4eZgo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDlodGEp_9o&feature=related

 

I had bb guns by age 7, my son had one by 7 and my middle grandsons and I went to the range this am and shot their (8 and 12) bb guns, several .22 rifles and the older one wanted to shoot an AK. We also shot a pellet pistol and .22 revolver. I love it when my grand kids ask good questions about the family guns and guns in general. My 12 year old wrote a research paper for his sixth grade history class on the guns of WWII--who, what when where and really enjoyed the research. He had personal experience with 1903-A3, M-1 Garand, M-1 Carbine and researched the Axis weapons as well as the Allied ones.

These guns are put up until they prove they can be safe and observe all safety rules. My children and now my grandchildren all shoot and enjoy it (including all the girls), but they are trained and supervised by adults. I think that most children can be taught the safe handling practices necessary and then prove they have the responsibility to use them. Owning your own personal firearm, be it a BB, pellet, .22, shotgun or high power in our family, means that you have passed the test and are considered responsible by your parents. One grandson will receive his first pellet gun and one his first single shot .22 this Christmas. Now just the 3 year old does not have their own gun.

If we want informed shooters and proponents of the 2A in the future, we have to sow the seeds today. What better way than to involve our families today. I have been involved in youth shooting programs with 4-H and Boy Scouts for 38 years because some families do not or can not introduce these future voters and shooters to shooting as a sport and a right under our Constitution and Bill of Rights..

 

I come from the earlier the better crowd. Teach them young when they are better at listening and less rebellious. That was common where I grew up. When I see a 6-7 year old at the range I keep an eye on them but I am not nervous. On the other hand I am leery of teenage kids with guns. I have seen to many teenagers who were not allowed to be around firearms as a young child. Then when they get older the parents think its ok to hand them a weapon and let them loose for a days shooting. Teach them young so I don't have to worry about them when they are older.

Michael

 

I think the kid should have training and taught the safety rules, and to handle it like any "gun"...... it's a good training tool. Then , supervise them until I'm convinced that they will be responsible when I'm not standing there.

Some BB / pellet guns can get 1250 fps. The lowest is about 280 fps.

 

Live and let live



Don't under estimate the kids parents, obviously they have something in mind already, believe me , they would have more difficulty with you and your CC weapon than you for a bb gun.

All thing being equal, yes that kid could blind someone in a second, but also it's possible that you'll shoot your foot in a moment of haste.

Live and let live, is my suggestion, can't raise someone else's kids, can't raise some kid's parents either.
I think the best you can do is to suggest you can teach the kid to shoot at the same time you teach your daughter, that should give you some control over this situation, be careful how you present the idea. They have to love it for it to work:king: Also get in the bandwagon and buy some safety goggles for everyone involved, and some targets can't get something for nothing. In short: If you don't have a solution, don't even bring the problem into the conversation.

 

Thanks for all the advise.

I think I'm going to try to take an active role in the training. First I'm going to take the father to the range to shoot a real gun and let him see first hand the correct method of safe shooting including the use of googles. Along the way I can try to enlighten him for the need of supervision of the BB gun and that it shouldn't just be given to the child.

However, if my granddaughter is there at ANY time to visit that BB gun WILL be put away or under supervision at all times. It is true that I can't control their kids but I can control mine.

BTW... they are planning to just give him the gun to keep in his room and do with it what he wants. After all it's his gun.

 

I found this, print it out, and point it out to the parents that they are breaking the law by doing this...


Here you go, with links to fla statutes:

http://www.floridachildinjurylawyer.com/2010/10/florida_law_on_bb_guns_and_chi.html

Pursuant to Florida Statute sec. 790.22, minors under 16-years old are prohibited from using, for any purpose whatsoever, BB guns, unless the minor using the BB gun is under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor's parent.

Also, a minor under 18-years-old may not possess a firearm. However, there are exceptions. See Fla. Stat. sec. 790.22 for a more detailed list of the exceptions. Any parent, guardian, or other adult responsible for the welfare of the minor who knowingly violates this statute commits a third degree felony.

If you would like to read more Florida laws regarding the use of minors and guns or other weapons please see Florida Statutes, Title XLVI - Crimes, Chapter 790 - Weapons and Firearms.

Florida Statute: http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/in...pp_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0790/Sections/0790.22.html

 

If ya can't get them with law and logic, I do not know what to tell you..... good luck!

 

That's interesting. In Pennsylvania (though there is no state preemption so municipalities can make their own rules up) it is perfectly legal for a minor to possess and use (unsupervised) a bb gun or air rifle IF they are on private land. There is a clause that the bb or pellet can't be fired so as to leave the boundaries of the property. They can't leave the boundaries of the property with it though unless it is unloaded and in a case or securely wrapped.

 

I think it really depends on the kid and the parents. Some 7 year olds can be much more mature when it comes to firearm handling and safety than some 15 year olds. Its all about their attitude and upbringing, and the area they live in. I essentially took possesion of my dads bb gun when I was about 6 and started using it unsupervised at about 7 or 8. This was also in a VERY small town in northeastern Montana and also in a different time. My folks had no problem with me wandering around the yard plinking with the bb gun but my mom did voice her dissatisfaction of the "violence" involved with super mario brothers when you could throw/shoot fireballs at mushrooms and turtles.. Different times indeed.

 

Pursuant to Florida Statute sec. 790.22, minors under 16-years old are prohibited from using, for any purpose whatsoever, BB guns, unless the minor using the BB gun is under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor's parent.



Note that the FL statute says 'using" a BB gun, not possession. So it would be legal for the kid to have it but can't "use" it without adult supervision. A BB gun--by FL legal definition--is not a firearm.

 

I agree with you,throwing in the call of duty games with a first 'gun' dont sound responsible.But it all depends on the parents,and you could have a part in that.Safety is everything.If he knows responsibility,why not? I had bb and pellet guns before that age,i had knives i toted around.I knew the risks.