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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is pretty irresponsible of my Dad?

22 replies

NoobyNoob · 27/10/2011 14:49

It's my brothers bday on Sat and he's 14 years old. There's only him and my dad as sadly his Mum passed away when little.

Anyway, he goes rabbit lamping on a private land every once in a while with his best mate and his Dad (who owns the land)

My Dad wants to buy him an air rifle for his birthday, so he doesn't have to borrow one from said friends dad when he goes lamping. I've voiced my concerns over this, but Dad wants to so fair enough I can't really stop him.

The thing is, I know my brother, and I'm worried he's going to get this air rifle out and have a few rounds in the back garden when Dad isn't there and get into some serious trouble. He's already got a criminal record for something, so he's not the most trustworthy and responsible teenager going. I don't want him to get into anymore trouble.

I feel really uneasy about it, but no matter how much I talk to Dad he won't listen.

Do you think I'm being precious about it and I should just keep my nose out?

OP posts:

grovel · 27/10/2011 14:51

The air rifle should be locked away and only given to your bro when he is out lamping.

worraliberty · 27/10/2011 14:53

I don't know much about it but would an air rifle legally suitable for a 14yr old actually kill a rabbit or would it be 'soft' enough to hurt it and leave it in pain?

S'cuse the ignorance...I know little about hunting for sport except the fact I detest it.

MrSpoc · 27/10/2011 14:55

i understand your concerns. I had an air rifle when i was about 14, i used to take it into the woods. I did get pulled up by the police and it is very eassy to get carried away with it.

Also if your DB waves it about in a public area the police mybe called, one wrong move and he could be shout dead.

DoesNotGiveAFig · 27/10/2011 14:55

I'd worry for the local animals, as in pets.

Original poster

NoobyNoob · 27/10/2011 14:56

I don't know much about it either, worral. I don't know if it would kill the rabbit outright, I'm hoping it would rather than leave it in pain.

I don't agree with hunting, Dad doesn't seem to mind and I know my brother enjoys it oddly.

I stupidly didn't think about it being put under lock and key, I'll suggest that to Dad to put my mind at ease!

OP posts:

squeakyfreakytoy · 27/10/2011 14:56

Sounds like a very dangerous combination to me... but if your Dad wont listen, I suspect there is not much you can do but wait for the almost inevitable mishap. I would just stress to your Dad that perhaps the gun should be kept safe by his friends father apart from under supervised use.

Worra, air rifles can do a lot of damage to animals and humans :(

ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern · 27/10/2011 14:57

Two issues here for me - the first one you were asking about... YANBU if your Dad is insistant on doing this, then the gun should be kept at the friends house, under his friends Dad's supervision and only used when his friends Dad is accompanying the boys.

Second issue - Rabbit Lamping is disgusting - killing an animal for sport is not something teenage boys should be encouraged nor allowed to do.

worraliberty · 27/10/2011 14:59

I know Squeaky I just wondered if it was strong enough to kill the thing outright or if it would be left in pain

Having said that, I imagine lots of them are left wounded by people who are a bad shot...ending up dying a slow death hiding somewhere.

MrSpoc · 27/10/2011 14:59

what does he do with the rabbits once they are killed?

Does he cook and eat them, if he does then im ok with it or does he just leave it to rot? if he does then its not nice.

grovel · 27/10/2011 14:59

I'm presuming they eat the rabbits.

squeakyfreakytoy · 27/10/2011 15:00

Ok, well I just checked and this is how the law stands on it, so you Dad needs to be aware of this:

14 ? 17 years
You can

borrow an air rifle and ammunition
use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission

You cannot

buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 ? normally your parent, guardian or some other responsible adult.
have an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you have a reasonable excuse to do so (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground).

halcyondays · 27/10/2011 15:00

Yanbu

DoMeDon · 27/10/2011 15:01

YANBU- he is being irresponsible. How does your Dad feel about the worry you have in relation to him using it when alone? Even if he (stupidly) insists on getting him a gun, surely he isn't daft enough not to lock it away most of the time.

DoMeDon · 27/10/2011 15:01

Luckily ST has sorted the problem - well done!

Original poster

NoobyNoob · 27/10/2011 15:02

No, Dad told me they collect them and eat them. I know my bro said that his mates Dad showed him how to skin it and what not and he brought it back for him and Dad to eat.

OP posts:

Original poster

NoobyNoob · 27/10/2011 15:03

Thanks squeaky, I appreciate that.

OP posts:

StaceymAloneForver · 27/10/2011 15:06

my bro had an air rifle probably from age 15ish but it was under lock and key from my parents and only got used under strict supervision.

i dont think you're being U at all

MrSpoc · 27/10/2011 15:07

i think its fine lamping if he is taking his kill and eating it. There is a skill to skinning and cooking natural food. Its a great skill to have and certainly to pass on.

MonstrouslyNarkyPuffin · 27/10/2011 15:15

YANBU at all. If he's already got a criminal record he hasn't displayed sound judgement! If your father wants to take him 'lamping' - air rifles in the dark, what could go wrong! - that's one thing but the gun should be locked away for the rest of the time.

Maybe you could try asking your father how he'll feel if his birthday gift lands your brother in a young offenders institution? Even if it starts off with your brother 'practising' in the garden it could well end with a neighbour's pet, or worse child being injured.

ceebie · 27/10/2011 15:33

Where will it be stored? If at your dad's house, how will it be transported to his friend's house - does your Dad give him a lift in the car for example, or does you bro cycle there, or what? Presumably the rifle would need to be transported to the private land by an adult, unless it was kept at the friend's house with their rifles?

LineRunnerWitchyMother · 27/10/2011 17:00

If you're talking about a 2.2 air rifle they can do a lot of damage so YANBU to think that a child shouldn't own one. And guess what - the law agrees with you.

mynewpassion · 27/10/2011 18:17

My dad bought one for my brother when he was 15. However, my dad also locks up all the hunting guns in a huge safe with him only having the code. He has a few of them. They only take it out for hunting. My brother also had to go to gun safety classes before he could use it, too.

I would politely ask your dad how he stores it and if he doesn't have one, I would buy a gun safe or a safety lock to put on the gun so he can't shoot if its not stored away. They sell those.

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