My First Rifle

Local NY station WABC had an eye opening investigative report on marketing of rifles
to kids. Reporter went undercover to Walmart to show how easy it is to buy
a pink Daisy rifle.

Just don't see how any responsible parent would buy a gun for their 8 year old.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=9093575

 

As strange as this may sound, I'm almost less troubled by hunting rifles marketed to children - I realize that it's a way of life in some rural and Great Plains communities - than I am by some of the toy gun marketing I see in the kids' aisles at Meijer and Wal-Mart. I know that actual guns can do actual damage. On the other hand, I think that some of the marketing messages - essentially that war is a blast, no pun intended - can possibly have more damaging long-term effects on a person's psychological development. You should see some of the images on these toys.

 

This is not even very realistic compared to some of the others I've seen:

 

Just about every kid I grew up with had some sort of gun. Usually got their first at around age 7, 8, or 9. My one nephew is 7 and he's been hunting several times with my brother, who I believe has given him his first gun already. Maybe two. Then again, my brother takes the necessary precautions to make sure the kid can't get his hands on it any time he wants.

I didn't own my first gun until a few years ago, though.

 

You could lose an eye with that thing

 

I grew up shooting squirrels out of my grandmother's pecan orchard with an old Marlin .22. My grandfather instructed me on safety rules I follow to this day. He also showed me how to shoot, finding a little spot on the squirrel (like "aim small, miss small on the "Patriot") and fire away. Great gun and accurate like you can't imagine. With those old iron sights, I did a lot of damage to the squirrel population on the Gulf Coast.

I still hate squirrels to this day. And yes, I miss that Marlin .22. Great gun.

 

More guns in the hands of Americans, yet gun crime is down:

What's up is suicide, with 60% of gun homicides being suicides.

 

I hope you aren't implying causation.

 

I don't think he is. But those statistics certainly belie commonly held views about how making firearms easier to purchase makes Americans more vulnerable to gun violence.

 

I got my first BB gun for Christmas when I was 8. I got my first shotgun (.410) for Christmas when I was 10. I don't remember when I got my first .22, but it was about the same time when a great uncle died. I was taught safety and how to use them. Guns aren't the problem. Irresponsible people are.

 

No, they don't. And you, of all people, know that.