# Another "kid gets a hold of parents loaded gun" thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727 "2010-05-25T18:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/141 "2010-05-29T17:19:43Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I started driving when I was 9. Running tractors too. Motorcycles at 11. Had my own. Yamaha LT2. Sorry, letting a 9yr old kid drive or operate farming equipment is just _stupid._ WTF were your parents thinking? You’ve been lucky, nothing more. Anyway, you want to play with guns, knock yourself out. I don’t see the allure, but to each is own. But I still think 8yrs old is too young to be messing around with guns. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/142 "2010-05-29T17:23:17Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Boy, i don’t know. Most 8yr olds can barely carry milk to the table without spilling it. I would no more give a gun to an 8yr old than I would put him behind the steering wheel of a car. I drove vehicles, and owned my own dirt bike (which could reach speeds in excess of highway) at 8 years old. > [@DragonAsh](#): > > If guns aren’t for protection (and I don’t see how they could be if you’re storing them properly) why not just go to a shooting range if firing guns gives you such a thrill? properly store could mean you remove them at night. > [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Eh, it was a combination of being interested in magic and hero-worship of Richard P. Feynman. Both were perfectly cromulent enterprises. Im going to tell you that you couldn’t crack an 800-3900 dollar gun safe. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/143 "2010-05-29T17:38:55Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > I drove vehicles, and owned my own dirt bike (which could reach speeds in excess of highway) at 8 years old. And it’s still stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/144 "2010-05-29T17:46:46Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > And it’s still stupid. Its great you think so. But unlike you, or your apparent children, I was obviously responsible enough to handle it. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/145 "2010-05-29T17:50:11Z")
‘Laws don’t apply to me, because I (my kids) are responsible enough to handle it’. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/146 "2010-05-29T17:56:43Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > ‘Laws don’t apply to me, because I (my kids) are responsible enough to handle it’. > > :rolleyes: There is, or was, no law about primary use of a firearm or off road vehicle being an underaged person when I was 8. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/147 "2010-05-29T18:03:16Z")
Yes, guns are tools; we get it. But how many hammer owners want one with a pearl handle, or in a quick-release holster? Guns just have this icky fascination factor for their owners, from my perspective as a non-gun owner. Let me ask you gun advocates a simple question. Would the UK be much better off if it had the same guns per population that the US has? ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/148 "2010-05-29T18:25:21Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Yes, guns are tools; we get it. But how many hammer owners want one with a pearl handle, or in a quick-release holster? Guns just have this icky fascination factor for their owners, from my perspective as a non-gun owner. The same argument could be made about cars. We all get why you’re against guns. > [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Let me ask you gun advocates a simple question. Would the UK be much better off if it had the same guns per population that the US has? it’s entirely irrelevant. Would sweeden be better off if it had the same gins per capita that the UK had? ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/149 "2010-05-29T18:54:45Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > There is, or was, no law about primary use of a firearm or off road vehicle being an underaged person when I was 8. All you said was that you drove ‘vehicles’. Whatever. Either way, it’s beside the point. I still can’t believe you see nothing wrong with putting an 8yr old behind the wheel of a car, responsible for 4,000 pounds of metal. That’s your argument as to why we’re supposed to trust you and your children with guns? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/150 "2010-05-29T19:08:58Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Statistically, you are more likely to have a member of your household harmed if you have a pool. Statistically, I am more likely to have an accident with my gun if I have a gun. I also have no pool, nor do I want one. The difference is that there are not pool nuts screaming “Why don’t you want a pool?!? You have the right to have a pool, here, have a pool! The pool is safe! The pool can protect you! If you don’t want a pool you must not want me to have a pool! Why are you taking my pool from me?!?!?” because I do not want a pool. (Really, I don’t give a shit if you have a pool.) ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/151 "2010-05-29T19:41:30Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > All you said was that you drove ‘vehicles’. And 4 wheelers, and even pick up trucks, but not on roads, only on private property. > [@DragonAsh](#): > > Whatever. Either way, it’s beside the point. it’s actually directly on point, since it was brought up as part of the conversation. > [@DragonAsh](#): > > I still can’t believe you see nothing wrong with putting an 8yr old behind the wheel of a car, responsible for 4,000 pounds of metal. I never suggested they should be allowed, unsupervised, to drive. Or shoot, for that matter. > [@DragonAsh](#): > > That’s your argument as to why we’re supposed to trust you and your children with guns? I don’t have an argument as to why you should trust me, because you don’t have a need. I wouldn’t put you in danger by allowing any unlicensed person to drive or operate potentially dangerous machinery in a public setting. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/152 "2010-05-29T19:48:24Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Statistically, I am more likely to have an accident with my gun if I have a gun. > > I also have no pool, nor do I want one. > > The difference is that there are not pool nuts screaming “Why don’t you want a pool?!? You have the right to have a pool, here, have a pool! The pool is safe! The pool can protect you! If you don’t want a pool you must not want me to have a pool! Why are you taking my pool from me?!?!?” because I do not want a pool. > > (Really, I don’t give a shit if you have a pool.) I don’t know any gun owners who want others, who don’t want guns, to have guns. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/153 "2010-05-29T19:56:55Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > I don’t have an argument as to why you should trust me, because you don’t have a need. I wouldn’t put you in danger by allowing any unlicensed person to drive or operate potentially dangerous machinery in a public setting. Anyone who thinks an 8yr old belongs behind the wheel of a vehicle - regardless of where the vehicle is - is an idiot and not someone I would trust with a gun. I’m glad I don’t live anywhere near you. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/154 "2010-05-29T20:18:05Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > I don’t know any gun owners who want others, who don’t want guns, to have guns. There was a town somewhere in the country which made it mandatory for inhabitants to own guns (I don’t know how enforceable that would be). Nevertheless, I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard that sentiment. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times people have insisted that others shouldn’t own guns, even if it doesn’t affect them in any way. Found it: [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/opinion/16reynolds.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/opinion/16reynolds.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/155 "2010-05-29T20:19:42Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > I don’t know any gun owners who want others, who don’t want guns, to have guns. There are lots of people who feel that everyone should own a gun and I am a small member of “everyone.” [Cite.](http://hubpages.com/hub/Everyone-Should-Have-a-Gun) [Another.](http://upperplayground.com/wordpress/?p=30459) [Sure, another.](http://www.thearizonacarnivore.com/2009/02/everyone-should-have-a-gun/) [Here a cop says it.](http://pages.prodigy.net/vanhooser/pleading_self_defense.htm) I can find a lot more (you really think Ted Nugent doesn’t share this idea of a utopian society?) but the main point is that people seem to get really defensive assuming that if I don’t want a gun and feel that they are more likely to cause problems then solve them in my life, that must mean I want to take yours away. This isn’t true but that doesn’t stop overly defensive gun nuts from assuming it. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/156 "2010-05-29T20:44:02Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > There are lots of people who feel that everyone should own a gun and I am a small member of “everyone.” > > [Cite.](http://hubpages.com/hub/Everyone-Should-Have-a-Gun) > [Another.](http://upperplayground.com/wordpress/?p=30459) > [Sure, another.](http://www.thearizonacarnivore.com/2009/02/everyone-should-have-a-gun/) > [Here a cop says it.](http://pages.prodigy.net/vanhooser/pleading_self_defense.htm) > > I can find a lot more (you really think Ted Nugent doesn’t share this idea of a utopian society?) but the main point is that people seem to get really defensive assuming that if I don’t want a gun and feel that they are more likely to cause problems then solve them in my life, that must mean I want to take yours away. > > This isn’t true but that doesn’t stop overly defensive gun nuts from assuming it. No offense, but four cites on the Internet isn’t really convincing. I think a LOT of crazy views can be found on the internet (including a complete, world wide, instant switch to anarch-communism), it’s unsurprising that the views can be found. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/157 "2010-05-29T21:00:19Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Let me ask you gun advocates a simple question. Would the UK be much better off if it had the same guns per population that the US has? It depends. The UK wouldn’t be any better off if they had lots of guns but still had the attitude of “human life is infinitely precious, every death is a tragedy, only a handful of experts are qualified to judge when the extreme measure of taking a life is justified”. If however they had guns and also a common accepted understanding that “if you break into people’s houses or try to assault them on the street you may get your ass shot dead and no one will cry about it”, then yeah the UK would be much better off. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/158 "2010-05-29T23:44:11Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Shoehorn butterhorse. I miss Homer. ☹ Laws: I BELIEVE here in PA, you have to be about thirteen to own/use a gun. (I have a lot of family members who hunt) Feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/159 "2010-05-29T23:50:16Z")
Depends. You need to be 18 to buy long guns and 21 for pistols, this is federal law. There is an exception if a family member buys one for you, and then in many cases I think there is an age were you can have it with adult supervision and an age where you can be unsupervised. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727/160 "2010-05-30T00:05:37Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Anyone who thinks an 8yr old belongs behind the wheel of a vehicle - regardless of where the vehicle is - is an idiot and not someone I would trust with a gun. > > I’m glad I don’t live anywhere near you. Me too. I suspect that you don’t know too many folks that grew up in the grain belt. I would also bet that you have never lived outside of curb and gutter and pavement. Putting kids to work is common. It should be done more often IMHO. There is nothing wrong about teaching a kid about the rights and wrongs about ANYTHING. Be it guns, or cars or farm equipment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-kid-gets-a-hold-of-parents-loaded-gun-thread/540727.md?page=9)