Kids and Guns doco on TV 1

**PrincessBandit** · 29th June 2016, 18:03

Anyone else watch this last night and left

? I've only just watched it now, having taped it, and really felt quite bemused. At least the army dad, who was forcing his reluctant 4 year old daughter to shoot, relented at the end by taking the advice of his shooting buddy. Admittedly they only showed about four or five families (out of goodness only knows how many families make or encourage their kids to shoot guns) but I was saddened by the responses of those parents who appeared to be pressuring their children into this "pastime".

While they made points such as "it's our right to own (and use) guns", "we want our kids to be able to protect themselves" (yeah, lethal force is always such a great option), "it's our family tradition" etc. it was interesting to see that not all of their children were as keen as the parents. And as for the parents who allowed their 9 year old son to go hunting on his own, citing his "experience" as a safe hunter etc., only to have him die when his gun went off when he slipped - my god, what is wrong with them? Sure they are now suffering the consequences but ffs - it's too late now to say "I wish I hadn't bought that gun for him".

I have no problem with kids being part of a hunting family and learning the ropes when they're of an age that fully understands the ramifications of what they're doing, but to be buying guns for 4 year olds?, a 9 year old girl with a small arsenal of weapons, proudly bought by her gun-totin' papa (who also berated her for losing concentration in soaring temperatures at an adult-level shooting competition) etc., no wonder the States is such a screwed up and dangerous place to live!

**jasonu** · 29th June 2016, 18:06

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Anyone else watch this last night and left

? I've only just watched it now, having taped it, and really felt quite bemused. At least the army dad, who was forcing his reluctant 4 year old daughter to shoot, relented at the end by taking the advice of his shooting buddy. Admittedly they only showed about four or five families (out of goodness only knows how many families make or encourage their kids to shoot guns) but I was saddened by the responses of those parents who appeared to be pressuring their children into this "pastime".

While they made points such as "it's our right to own (and use) guns", "we want our kids to be able to protect themselves" (yeah, lethal force is always such a great option), "it's our family tradition" etc. it was interesting to see that not all of their children were as keen as the parents. And as for the parents who allowed their 9 year old son to go hunting on his own, citing his "experience" as a safe hunter etc., only to have him die when his gun went off when he slipped - my god, what is wrong with them? Sure they are now suffering the consequences but ffs - it's too late now to say "I wish I hadn't bought that gun for him".

I have no problem with kids being part of a hunting family and learning the ropes when they're of an age that fully understands the ramifications of what they're doing, but to be buying guns for 4 year olds?, a 9 year old girl with a small arsenal of weapons, proudly bought by her gun-totin' papa (who also berated her for losing concentration in soaring temperatures at an adult-level shooting competition) etc., no wonder the States is such a screwed up and dangerous place to live!

Well if it was on TV1 (or in the Harold) there is no chance of a slanted view so it must be true...

**Maha** · 29th June 2016, 18:07

The promo on that programme convinced me to watch something else so I watched the Jeff Lynne doco on Prime.

**Virago** · 29th June 2016, 18:10

More Americans are killed by toddlers with guns than are killed by terrorists. According to Donald Trump the cure is more guns...

**Akzle** · 29th June 2016, 19:27

my children have had the option to shoot shit since they were... born.
Their interest comes and goes.

There's a lot of bad parents.

You're statistically more likely to die in an vehicular homicide. Are you going to start a thread on children (15 still equals children, infact i think inswitzerland you're children until 21...) driving?

Hoplophobia is a sign of retarded emotional and sexual maturity. (freud)

**old slider** · 29th June 2016, 20:50

Originally Posted by Akzle

my children have had the option to shoot shit since they were... born.
Their interest comes and goes.

There's a lot of bad parents.

You're statistically more likely to die in an vehicular homicide. Are you going to start a thread on children (15 still equals children, infact i think inswitzerland you're children until 21...) driving?

Hoplophobia is a sign of retarded emotional and sexual maturity. (freud)

In Sweden you are classed a child/youth until 26, I booked train tickets etc for my youngest son who was heading over there to train with Nicholas Pettas a few years back, he was aghast at the thought of being classed a child or youth.

**TheDemonLord** · 29th June 2016, 20:52

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Anyone else watch this last night and left

? I've only just watched it now, having taped it, and really felt quite bemused. At least the army dad, who was forcing his reluctant 4 year old daughter to shoot, relented at the end by taking the advice of his shooting buddy. Admittedly they only showed about four or five families (out of goodness only knows how many families make or encourage their kids to shoot guns) but I was saddened by the responses of those parents who appeared to be pressuring their children into this "pastime".

While they made points such as "it's our right to own (and use) guns", "we want our kids to be able to protect themselves" (yeah, lethal force is always such a great option), "it's our family tradition" etc. it was interesting to see that not all of their children were as keen as the parents. And as for the parents who allowed their 9 year old son to go hunting on his own, citing his "experience" as a safe hunter etc., only to have him die when his gun went off when he slipped - my god, what is wrong with them? Sure they are now suffering the consequences but ffs - it's too late now to say "I wish I hadn't bought that gun for him".

I have no problem with kids being part of a hunting family and learning the ropes when they're of an age that fully understands the ramifications of what they're doing, but to be buying guns for 4 year olds?, a 9 year old girl with a small arsenal of weapons, proudly bought by her gun-totin' papa (who also berated her for losing concentration in soaring temperatures at an adult-level shooting competition) etc., no wonder the States is such a screwed up and dangerous place to live!

I saw it a while ago - The kid that shot himself in the head - I remember being 33% saddened by it - the Family is right that a firearm should not discharge a round unless the trigger is pressed, but at the same time:

Rule 3: Load a firearm only when ready to fire

and is a 9 year old Mature enough to go off and hunt alone - without any form of Adult supervision? I don't think so...

There is an Irony that this year I aim (THE PUN!) to get my Firearms licence - I think the ability for Law Abiding citizens to have reasonable access to Firearms is something that is important, I don't think the US has got it right - but TBH, I've long stopped caring.

**Akzle** · 29th June 2016, 20:58

Originally Posted by old slider

In Sweden you are classed a child/youth until 26, I booked train tickets etc for my youngest son who was heading over there to train with Nicholas Pettas a few years back, he was aghast at the thought of being classed a child or youth.

yeah thats what i said

**old slider** · 29th June 2016, 21:01

Originally Posted by Akzle

yeah thats what i said

I thought with you being serious someone had better re affirm it, lol

**russd7** · 29th June 2016, 21:01

i dont like guns, never have, but have used them as was necessary when farming, not against them or hunting for food. my step kids were all crackshots at smallbore, it is in their blood, all shot in the high nineties with one shooting a 100.4 at district junior champs but none of them were interested enough to keep it going.

**Akzle** · 29th June 2016, 21:02

Originally Posted by TheDemonLord

I saw it a while ago - The kid that shot himself in the head - I remember being 33% saddened by it - the Family is right that a firearm should not discharge a round unless the trigger is pressed, but at the same time:

and is a 9 year old Mature enough to go off and hunt alone - without any form of Adult supervision? I don't think so...

There is an Irony that this year I aim (THE PUN!) to get my Firearms licence - I think the ability for Law Abiding citizens to have reasonable access to Firearms is something that is important, I don't think the US has got it right - but TBH, I've long stopped caring.

not a (legislated) rule ("law") or even recomendation in america.
Infact i think their arms code is ~"hoo-rah, git some!"

I had free run with guns from a young age and yet to kill anyone accidentally.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 29th June 2016, 21:04

Originally Posted by Maha

The promo on that programme convinced me to watch something else so I watched the Jeff Lynne doco on Prime.

taped that (well, DVR'd) I am not a fan really but he is very talented.

Plus I love that song "Four Wheel Drive"

*kidding

**HenryDorsetCase** · 29th June 2016, 21:04

Originally Posted by Akzle

not a (legislated) rule ("law") or even recomendation in america.
Infact i think their arms code is ~"hoo-rah, git some!"

I had free run with guns from a young age and yet to kill anyone accidentally.

What about on purpose, you pussay???

**HenryDorsetCase** · 29th June 2016, 21:06

Originally Posted by old slider

In Sweden you are classed a child/youth until 26, I booked train tickets etc for my youngest son who was heading over there to train with Nicholas Pettas a few years back, he was aghast at the thought of being classed a child or youth.

Wow. How did that go? Pettas is double hard.