How much would you invest in your childs topsport

[GunMadness]

My son, age 10, is allowed a shotgun soon. I know, many of you will be against shooting and perhaps rightly so. However as a family we have had that siscussion when he was 3, when my in laws started giving him lots of toy soldiers and guns.

My son loves guns and shooting and army stuff more than most boys, and we have allowed that. Anyway, we took him to the gunmaker, to get it measured. He had to do some shooting there and it turns out he is a remarkable shot, And has just the right temperament for a top professional. They even suggested sponsoring him.

Question now is, do we invest in a very expensive gun, giving him the best start possible, or do we just let him have something basic for now And see where it goes. If your son was very good at singing or drama would you invest in the most expensive private teachers? If so, what message would it give him? Would it spoil him for life, always wanting the best?

Are you on glue? A 10 year old? A gun? FFS. I don't care how talented Little Fauntleroy is, this is beyond sick.

I am pretty sure that the chap who won gold for Britain in 2012 Olympics (in a shooting event) didn't even start shooting until after he finished university.

My son was a good shot.

I think you can buy a perfectly decent gun, suitable for competition, without having to buy the very best.

If he's a good shot take him to a club. Let him use theirs. If he's still interested in a year or to then you can buy one.
You don't need to buy and have all the stress of storage and safety at home.

If you want to spend your money, spend it on petrol getting him to a good club for the time being.

I don't know much about guns, you mentioned getting measured, will her 'grow out' of the first one quickly? If it's a case of buying one and then that being that for at least a few years then I'd go for mid range. When he gets older and if he is still dead set on it then a more expensive one. If it's likely to need replacing in under a year go for cheapish.

Fun It's not exactly going to turn him into a murderer/psychopath
Lots of kids do rifle shooting etc with scouts and on school activity holidays. In a controlled, safe environment with good equipment and fully trained supervisors/instructors it is unlikely to go wrong.

I would say 'he has just the right temperament for a top professional' is a pile of shite.
Whoever told you that was very odd.

One can only assess temperament in competition shooting in a competition situation.

If he is a great shot why not get him to do other sports that will hone his skills without using guns? Archery springs to mind.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Reported.

You are a disgrace to the human race.

Archery springs to mind.

Clearly that has never been associated with war and killing

OP, don't invest in decent equipment until he's stuck at it for a while and shown that he's prepared to make the commitment it takes to use it properly.

A big layout now will mean you feel tempted to pressurise him and will feel disappointed if he loses interest and he may well end up doing it out of guilt or loyalty to you rather than because he really wants to.

The day someone says that the quality of the equipment he has access to is holding him back is the day you need to buy him something decent.

I didn't say you couldn't kill someone with a bow and arrow, did I? Just that it doesn't involve guns.

Dur..

So, it's just the man in the shop who told you he has this talent? Is it possible he might have seen you coming?

To begin with, in any sport, I'd have him join a club where he can borrow the equipment and see where that goes before spending a fortune. He might decide he doesn't love it as much as you/he thinks. I don't think it's necessary for any 10yo to have the best equipment or for anyone just starting out.

If he's as good as you think, once he's involved in a club they'll give you proper advice and may even be able to help you source what he needs at the best price or, if he's really that good, help you find some sponsorship.

I am a bit at all the . If you move in shooting circles I don't think it's at all unusual to have 10yo's handling guns. If it's done right he'll be taught to respect them properly, unlike all the kids running around with toy guns or shooting indiscriminately on computer games.

I wouldn't buy a shotgun soon, get him some lessons, see if he likes it, he will grow quickly so will soon outgrow the gun that you buy him now. I didn't get my first until I was 16 and then grew some more and got my second (both inherited).

Useful link

www.gundealer.net/rules.htm

If I am reading that rightly he would need to hold a gun certificate but can't recieve a gun as a gift until he was 15.

You really need to investigate more about the legalities of it all.

I think there are different laws regarding guns in different countries.... (OP may be from a different country)

Just because he likes the idea of a gun doesn't mean he has to own one.
Would you buy him a tank if he asked for one?

If he is interested in using a gun - club is the best place for it (regardless of where do you live).

With most sports and activities you would send a child on a few courses and borrow or rent equip before purchasing. Actually you would do this as an adult too.