Aibu, or rather is my dp being unreasonable to think it's not ok for empty shotgun cartridges to be used for messy play?

[Lirogiro]

Our 4 yr old ds brought home a model today that includes a used shotgun cartridge.
My dp thinks it is not ok for him to be crafting with what is a basically a weapon and is also concerned that it might have unsafe chemical residue on it.
I am not so sure. I can understand his points but also think if our son doesn't know what it is, then basically it's just a good small cylinder that creates interesting craft model possibilities. What are your thoughts?

[Whathaveilost]

I think it's an excellent bit of recycling!

[Spudlet]

One of our local pubs has a lamp made from a jar full of old cartridges. I'm cooler than all of you

[Smurfingreat]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

I grew up in the country next to a shooting range and used to love collecting the empty cartridges as I loved all the different colours.

As others have said, guns have legitimate uses in the countryside. Why not use it to start a conversation about how guns can be used for different purposes, some good, some bad?

[Sanchar]

I see no problem either. It's just moulded plastic and metal.

[MoonfaceAndSilky]

I'm with your DH Op, I don't think it's ok for a child to be playing with them. It is normalising something that shouldn't be normalised it comes from a gun ffs

[derxa]

Can we see the model?

[Spudlet]

But guns are normal in the country. They have perfectly legitimate uses and are generally used very safely by people who are very conscious of the need to be responsible. If you want to live in the country, that's part of the deal. Just like tractors driving round at all hours during harvest-time, wildlife that flings itself into the road and the smell of manure. The sound of gunfire comes with the package too.

[Bolograph]

But guns are normal in the country

Shotguns doubly so. Were this Scotland and deer-stalking to be on the agenda, there would be .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO in civilian clothes) and then the various exotic higher-powered rifle cartridges around. But shotguns in the countryside are as common as Land Rovers.

[acasualobserver]

It is normalising something that shouldn't be normalised it comes from a gun ffs

You're right. And that gun might have been owned by a paedophile. Doesn't bear thinking about.

[derxa]

I think this is a wind up but...
guns are normal in the country. They have perfectly legitimate uses and are generally used very safely by people who are very conscious of the need to be responsible. If you want to live in the country, that's part of the deal. Just like tractors driving round at all hours during harvest-time, wildlife that flings itself into the road and the smell of manure. The sound of gunfire comes with the package too

[AnnaMarlowe]

Spud I completely agree, shotguns are normal and necessary in the countryside. But it's not normal for 4 yo to handle either them or unused cartridges.

[Bolograph]

But it's not normal for 4 yo to handle either them or unused cartridges.

Neither of which was happening in the OP.

[Spudlet]

But unless I've missed something, this 4yo has done nothing of the sort. They've used a used casing - essentially an empty plastic tube. I doubt they even knew what it was.

If the post had been about the nursery trip to the local clay pigeon range that would be different, but it's not!

[Bolograph]

If the post had been about the nursery trip to the local clay pigeon range

I think UK clay ranges are OK from about 10 years old, aren't they?

www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/buy-gun-guide/shotguns-for-children-3000-39434

You might want your son or daughter to shoot with a side-by-side for tradition’s sake, and a 28 or 20-bore would be ideal for driven or duck shooting and is certainly what I would recommend. However, if they are likely to be shooting more clays than anything else then an over-under is the one to go for.

[Spudlet]

No problem at all with older children learning to handle firearms safely. I'd love to take DS along when he's old enough.

But the average 4yo has terrible aim Although they could be handy out beating, small enough to get under the brambles and they can't be much more unruly than the average spaniel, right?

[heron98]

I think it's fine. he doesn't know what it is.

When I was at primary school in the 80s we kept our crayons in old tobacco tins.

Didn't make me want to start smoking.

[EBearhug]

It's better than them littering the ground. We used to pick up any used cartridges we found, though don't remember using them to do craft stuff. There are many uses for bits of clay pigeon, though.

[LadyLayLay]

Wouldn't bother me

[seagreengirl]

And back in the real world...I'm with your DH, they are not suitable objects to have in a nursery.

[TheNaze73]

Personally don't see where the problem is here. YANBU

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

My favourite game as a kid was collecting the used cartridges on long walks!

[Butteredparsnips]

They are more like old film cases and are not remotely dangerous. They do make good craft Materials though. DD also likes painting rescued clays.

[imwithspud]

And back in the real world...I'm with your DH, they are not suitable objects to have in a nursery.

Why not?

[NeedACleverNN]

I'm no city girl and I love fairly rurally but I have never seen a case.
I have seen an empty happy gas canister though

[maninawomansworld01]

Spot the townie anyone?

OK didn't mean it in a rude way but seriously, as town folk living in the countryside you'll find a few differences and the attitude to guns is one of them. No one in the countryside really gives a stuff, guns are tools for pest control and sporting equipment for a bit of clay pigeon or pheasant shooting. Pretty much everyone has them.

If you're getting all bent out of shape about a few EMPTY shells then you're going to love the winter when you're on a country walk with your kids and come across 10 blokes (and children) with loaded guns out on a pheasant shoot.

That is not to say we're all gun toting nutters, far from it. They need treating with respect as in the wrong hands they can be deadly but I would suggest that walking round the dodgier parts of our big cities you are far more likely to find yourself on the wrong end of a gun than in the countryside.

You don't have to participate if it's not your thing but you can't bury your head and protect you little precious from the 'evil guns' because unless you move back to the city you are going to come across someone with a real, loaded gun at some point. The most responsible thing you could do in many ways is actually teach your kids (when they're a bit older) about guns, safety etc by getting them a few lessons at a local club. Even if they don't take it up long term they'll know exactly what to do and how to stay safe around guns when (and that's a WHEN not an IF), they encounter them.

I first shot a gun at 6 years of age (under very close supervision), for my 12th birthday I was given my own gun which lived in a safe in my bedroom, to which I had the keys. Not long after I was allowed out to use it completely unsupervised, this is pretty normal in the country.
I still have that same gun sat in my safe and when my boys are a bit older I will allow them to have it (might have to get another one as we had twins).

Just relax, there are no gangsta's in the country, and shotgun ammo is pretty inert. In the unlikely event of them getting hold of a live one, they are extremely difficult to set off (even for an adult).