10 is too young for air rifles
March 31st, 2007 at 9:39 am by David FarrarA near fatal accident at a Northland farm saw a six year old girl almost die after an air rifle pellet ricocheted off a rock, and hit hear, scraping her heart. Thank God she made hospital in time, and looks to be okay.
But one has to question the family in not just allowing their 10 year old to have an air rifle, but to allow him to be using it without supervision.
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March 31st, 2007 at 11:02 am
Nanny state to interfere in parents rights to let their children play with guns ?
Take to the streets, so DPF and his liberal “anti” gun mates dont get to “to question the family ” and their right bring up kids as they see fit
Responsible gun owing parents would never allow their kids to shoot anyone!
Vote:March 31st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
My 10 Year old has an air rifle. He uses it when supervised as required by the existing Firearms law. there is absolutely nothing wrong with children using firearms in suitable and safe environments in accordance with the law.
The law is actually quite specific when it comes to ages and weapons.
Look to see the police prosecute his useless parents for breaches of the Arms Act.
Vote:March 31st, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I had a slug gun (air rifle) from when I was 8 or 9 and used it largely unsupervised. I can only think of two incidents I regret:
1. When I shot a kingfisher – they are beautiful birds and you just don’t see them around now.
2. When I fired a slug through my bedroom window – I was trying to impress my townie cousins and thought it would bounce off like they did off woolshed windows. Two things I didn’t take into account were that I was closer and the glass wasn’t as thick.
There was never a time when anyone was at risk.
Of course the laws were a lot more lenient in those days.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 6:44 am
In my day, any boy aged 10 who didn’t have a BSA or Gecardo and failed to use it freely was receipted and filed as a softy mummy’s baby who probably got his jollies looking at art books in the school library.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 6:48 am
By 10 I had my own gun and was driving the farm bikes.
I believe the benefits to society (in terms of teaching responsibility) outweigh the cost of the occasional death. Sad for those who suffer the effects of a death, but better for the country overall than having lots of cosseting rules instead of individual self management.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 8:52 am
Didn’t shoot a Kingfisher but did shoot and break the wing of a blackbird on the lawn, poor bloody thing.
Also put a hole through the one and only apple on my mums one and only apple tree (more like a seedling than a tree), people can get pretty angry when you thoughtlessly or maliciously wreck their stuff.
You are correct Camryn, how dare you be so un-PC?
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 9:56 am
My twin boys were blasting ducks from the air with a shot gun at 10 years old .
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 11:42 am
Started shooting with .22′s when I was about 6. Was brought up around guns and gun safety. I wouldn’t say that 10 is too young to shoot. I learnt that guns were tools, that were dangerous, but could also be rewarding (in learning to shoot, a skill – which took me overseas on multiple occasions) that required responsibility.
Any responsible parent with half a brain wouldn’t give a 10 year old a firearm to use unsupervised. Where the hell were the parents.
And for all the gun control advocates out there – a 10 year old unsupervised without an airgun is already illegal under the Arms Act 1983, so more restrictive gun laws would NOT have prevented this.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
after an air rifle pellet ricocheted off a rock, and hit her, scraping her heart.
Sounds like a very powerful air rifle.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
pdm….Did dad give you spanking or time out.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I too at a young age used an air rifle to kill birds, rats and other wildlife. I was responsible for what I did even when unsupervised. I was taught guns don’t kill, people using guns kill.
Vote:This shooting of a six year old was an accident and accidents happen, but gun users must be aware of who or what is in the field of fire.
Lack of education and responsibily seems to be the cause here.
April 1st, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I too at a young age used an air rifle to kill birds, rats and other wildlife. I was responsible for what I did even when unsupervised. I was taught guns don’t kill, people using guns kill.
Vote:This shooting of a six year old was an accident and accidents happen, but gun users must be aware of who or what is in the field of fire.
Lack of education and responsibily seems to be the cause here.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
You have to put things in perspective. How many people have been injured or killed in “accidental” firearm related incidents compared with other activities that lead to injuries or deaths? eg, boy racers hitting pedestrians, speedway deaths (three this year), idiot drivers injuring or killing other drivers…etc
I’ve been struck by a ricochetting air rifle pellet by a friend….and we were adults at the time!
Hope the little girl pulls through.
Vote:April 1st, 2007 at 8:22 pm
dj4 recounts: “My twin boys were blasting ducks from the air with a shot gun at 10 years old .”
Just about says it all, doesn’t it?
aladin
Vote:April 2nd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
These incidents are rare, and yes there should be supervision with slug guns until the age of 15, and even then its not safe in the hands of an idiot.
Things have changed since the old days (1950s-1960s) when there used to be a lot more space and seemingly more places to use them.
Take into mind some of the Crosman Pump air rifles travel faster than a .22 and can really do some damage.
Vote:May 1st, 2007 at 6:39 am
Hi! there, pleased to meet everyone,i’m 55 years old and when young used .22 and smaller air rifle to shoot and kill birds, which i very much regret now and feel very remorseful, being a father and husband.
I would give anything to turn the clock back and not have killed the birds i shot, which i was introduced to, i think all airguns should be outlawed, they are dangerous in any form.
Bernard Duffy Edinburgh
Vote:May 1st, 2007 at 6:42 am
Hi! there, pleased to meet everyone,i’m 55 years old and when young used .22 and smaller air rifle to shoot and kill birds, which i very much regret now and feel very remorseful, being a father and husband.
I would give anything to turn the clock back and not have killed the birds i shot, which i was introduced to, i think all airguns should be outlawed, they are dangerous in any form.
Bernard Duffy Edinburgh
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