to think an air rifle is not a suitable present for a 7 and 10 year old?

[notatthisage]

My kids have said their Dad is getting them an air rifle for Christmas.

H has confirmed he said this. He defended himself thus, ' They aren't allowed to own one till they are 18, so I will buy it and they will have it as a sharing present so that's ok.'

This makes no sense to me.

Our kids are not mature or sensible for their age. They love each other but also fight like crazy and properly hurt each other, quite often needing to be physically separated. They will use weapons against each other if they can. A rifle they are given as theirs is a disaster. Because it is a present they will expect, and will argue endlessly, for free access to it. If they are mad at each other, the one who has it in hand may actively hurt the other with it.

A rifle which their Dad owned and they were allowed limited access to it under close supervision may work. But this is not what they have been promised.

This is an accident waiting to happen, what planet is he on?

An air rifle can blind or worse. NO.

My adult ds bought ds 6 a bb gun. It is in dd's car boot where it will stay. Bonkers some people..

Jesus. So dangerous!
When I was at school a class mate was shot in the forehead by an air rifle by the idiot lad messing about next door. She was 14/15 and was very lucky. I dread to think what damage it could do to children that small.

What gormless cretin even thinks of buying an air rifle? Even more moronic to buy one for children.

You are most definitely NOT being unreasonable OP.

I got shot in the face by the boy next door when I was 10 years old. He was 11 and his dad had bought him the air pistol as a birthday present.

I was very lucky because it hit me on my brow just above my right eye, 2cm lower and I would have been permanently blinded in that eye. As it was I temporary lost the sight in my right eye, although thank goodness it recovered after a couple of weeks.

I hate guns, BB guns & air guns especially.

Is he planning to just give it to them like a toy? If yes, that’s an awful idea and won’t end well! My DSs have air rifles and BB guns but they’re kept locked up and they only use them (for target practice, not play) when my husband is with them supervising and teaching them proper safety precautions.

Boys of that age are certain to fire it at wildlife, cars, the neighbour's cat or anything else that moves.

No way on earth - the law says 18 for a reason.

My uncle and his friend were Messing around with an air rifle in their back garden, when his dog, a doberman ran outside unexpectedly. The dog was accidentally shot dead.

We don't even have anywhere to lock them up!

@notatthisage

I can't believe anyone in their right minds would agree with this. Apart from anything else, what would the air rifle ultimately be used for. Shooting people's pets so they die in agony? Shooting at people so someone maybe loses an eye? Because that seems to be their only purpose. What practical application do they actually have? Guns of any kind are intended to maim and kill. Does ownership of one bring anything else to society? No. Well then there's your answer.

It’s actually against the law to gift an air rifle to anybody under 18.
It’s against the law to own or possess one under 18.
Only children over 14 can legally use one and that has to be under constant supervision of an adult and it has to only be on private land with the owners permission.

So what your DH is doing is no different than drink driving, stealing etc.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1171973/Air_weapons_safety_leaflet_6-4.pdf

I don't think this is quite right, or that it's what that document says.

Cubs and scouts use air rifles under the age of 14 (with supervision) on a regular basis.

I think it's that they can't use one unsupervised under the age of 14.

It doesn't sound like an air rifle is a good idea in this instance, and I do agree that you can't give an air rifle to an under 18 for them to own.

Is he your current H or your Ex?

If current can't you just veto this?

He sounds a fool.

Are you expectes to keep it at your house?

I'd bin the damn thing.

If it's illegal for the kids to have one, turn your bellend ex into the authorities.

You really don't have to put up with this.

So the air rifle will be coming home with them to your house ?

So it's simple you take it away and give it away / hand it in to the police station.

In case you're in Scotland (though I suspect not), air weapons need to be licensed
https://www.gov.scot/publications/guide-air-weapon-licensing-scotland/

Not much help if you live outwith Scotland, but may be useful info for someone.

One of the few sensible moves of the current Scottish Govt.

And where does he propose that they'll use this air rifle?

When my NDN's son got one and set up a target in the garden, someone complained and the police went round and told him to pack it in. They said it was unsafe to use in a built up area in a garden that only had hedges round the the boundaries and was therefore putting the public at risk.

It's illegal for them to own it, so it could be a good teaching opportunity that it's their responsibility to turn the weapon into the police. You could call the police in advance and ask if they can really reinforce that they have done a good thing by turning it in. And they get a different, suitable present as a reward. Obvs best not to mention who bought it. But this way, if they are ever in a similar situation later in life with friends, they will know how to respond.
Alternatively, explain this to the ex and hope that he does the smart thing and doesn't buy it in the first place. Best of luck

So can a pencil.

Definitely not something I’d buy for a kid myself.
But context matters.
If it’s in a family who hunt (not sure what there is to hunt in the UK though? Rabbits I guess?) or who farm and shoot for pest control then there’s a reasonable argument that it’s sensible for older children to learn to use a rifle in a controlled environment. But I’d expect a locked gunsafe that only the adult(s) has a key to, clear expectations from the kids on when and where the gun would come out (eg. On hunting trips or at the shooting range, never ever without a responsible adult in charge, all legalities properly taken into account. It doesn’t sound like their Dad has a suitable set up in place.
Buying an air rifle for kids to try to shoot cans in their back garden/ take pot shots at random wildlife is just not on.

It's an Olympic sport.

I think it's a terrible idea in the circumstances but the general anger towards air guns on this thread is out of proportion.

The Scouts shoot. The cadets shoot. Under responsible supervision, it's a respectable hobby.

This happened neat me 😔 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9108283/Family-boy-six-accidentally-shot-dead-great-grandfather-slam-early-release.html?ito=amp_whatsapp_share-top