The pro-gun mom goes on to explain how we can easily move from "guns as toys" to "guns as tools," and from there it's a cinch to teach kids the Eddie Eagle rules.Guns As Toys
Whether or not you think toy guns are a good idea, they are here to stay and they are a very big part of the marketed entertainment industry, from cap guns with cowboy hats to first person shooter video games. Guns are sold to our kids as fun and not deadly in the virtual world, this can make it harder for kids to understand the mortal gravity of real guns in the real world.
Let’s face it, guns are attractive to lots of children.
Watch a group of children playing and it’s likely that some of them will be playing a hunting or war game before it’s over. Toy guns have long been favourites with my boys and instead of banning them completely, we’ve taken the toy versions as an opportunity to discuss the moral implications of the real thing and to teach basic gun safety. I would much rather control the environment in which my children encounter and practice with toy guns than ban them altogether and have them unprepared when they are faced with the real thing.
Toy guns can provide many teachable moments.
Here's what I had to say:
You must be out of your mind if you think guns are OK as toys and provide teachable moments AND that you can teach kids the Eddie Eagle rules.
Haven’t you seen it in your own kids that the natural curiosity and resistance to obedience is too much for all that “teaching” nonsense.
There’s only one thing that keeps kids safe and that’s parental supervision. You don’t seem to have the appropriate emphasis on that.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
posted on 23 September at 21:41
I agree, too Chuckie. It's none of their business what we teach our children about gun safety. Let them take guns away from the people who kill everyday. Very well said.
posted on 23 September at 19:44
Agree 1000 percent chuck! My kids have been around and handled guns all of their lives. My granddaughter got her first b b gun last Christmas. It's all in what u teach them
posted on 23 September at 19:40
u tell'em Chuck.....i have a LR .22 pistol and am wanting to go to a range for safety practice so i can fell comfortable handling it
posted on 23 September at 18:17
Mike, you are completely wrong in your stance on this issue. For those of us with guns and kids, teaching gun safety is paramount. Why would you not take any opportunity to teach your kids about gun safety? As the father of 2 young daughters, I have been teaching my girls about gun safety since they were 5 or 6 years old.
As an avid outdoorsman and hunter, I have guns in the house. Once my daughters started to take an interest in my guns and what they do, I started training them on how to safely handle a firearm. I started them on BB guns, then moved up to pellets. My oldest daughter is old enough now that she gets to hunt with dad this year as I teach her about her new.22 rifle. I teach them about the use of the safety, muzzle control, respect for the environment (meaning do not shoot anything you don't plan to kill) and respect for those around you.
So to your point that parental supervision isn't stressed, the vast majority of gun owners take safety seriously. We would never put our children in harm's way. This is the reason that we teach our kids how to handle guns safely. Of the many young children who will die this year due to accidental gun firings, I would be willing to bet that very few of these incidents will occur in households like mine, where the parents have take the time to demystify guns for their children.