would you let your 14yr old have a bb gun?

[toffeebunny]

My 14 yr old son is pestering me for a bb gun...again. He did this a couple of years ago and I adamantly said no once I'd researched it a bit. It was easier then, he was 12, a bit all over the place and not very sensible. He's now much more mature, aware of the risks and is telling me he feels very left out because all his friends have one. He told me recently when he goes to their homes sometimes they have bb wars in the garden or woods and he borrows a gun. I've told him I will research it a bit more and talk to other parents. I'm confused totally about the whole thing. He's my youngest child and my older son never had an interest so this hasn't arisen before. Some of these friends who have guns have the most sensible and careful parents. Am I being over anxious? He doesn't want a really expensive one...about £30 or so with a power of 300 FPS. He says the lower ones of 150 are not worth having. Any thoughts???

[Solo]

No, I would not let my 14yo Ds have any kind of gun.

[chocoluvva]

The benefits don't outweigh the risks IMO, so I wouldn't let my or any 14YO DS get one. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[watchingout]

My DSS has brought one into our house. FWIW they have to be painted bright orange in the UK to minimise them being mistaken hysterically for handguns/ machine-guns. He's 13 and bought it himself mail order

[lljkk]

DS is 13 & desperately wants one.
I took him to shooting sessions in sports halls for yrs (too old now, but I am glad he's in scouts so will get more chances).
If we had a relative who was into recreational shooting I would let DS go with him.
I asked local gun club but they don't allow junior members on their own.
When questioned long enough DS admits he just wants the BB gun to scare other people .
so I'm not against it always in principle, but my DS, in my circumstances, No Way.

[valiumredhead]

Ds is 12 and is desperate for one

I've told him he can join a gun club when he's old enough. Ironically he had a go at a local country fair and the bloke said he was a really good aim. Great

[DiaryOfAWimpyMum]

No, mine have stopped asking and thankfully the local shop which sold them has closed down

[valiumredhead]

If we had a massive garden/land it would be different and Dh could supervise him-but we haven't so that's that.

[ArbitraryUsername]

One of the kids in DS1's school bought a BB gun to school recently, and got expelled. I wouldn't let DS1 have one under any circumstances. I just don't see why he could possibly need one.

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

DS shoots at Army Cadets and I have also taken him to a gun club. I am totally happy with this as there is huge emphasis on safety and maintenance.

Problem with BB guns is not just your own DC but there is always the unknown quantity of the other guy or the random third party. Your DC may be totally reliable and safe, the other guy may be a pillock. The random third party might accidentally get in the way or call the Police in the belief that they are shooting at him.

[allmycats]

Take him to a gun club, there is no reason at all for BB guns to be used outside of organised activities. People have been shot by the police for having guns that look real, and with very good reason.

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

Our local gun club accepts members at any age. The emphasis is on accuracy at various distances. There is no sense of a gung ho, shoot em up. All very sober and responsible.

[44alex44]

BB guns aren't firearms and in no way leathal and aren't dangerous as long as you wear eye protection. Yes they hurt a little bit and all you get even from being shot from point blank range is a bit of a bruise. My 14 year old son has a orange bb pistol that fires around 240 to 250 fps (which is nothing compared to a real firearm they can fire at about 1100 fps) he is responsible and knows the laws better than me. If your son knows the laws then yes let him get one!

[GonzoFlyingProducts]

I'm a dad... Boys - guns - Sooooo obvious... let them have guns of course! Let them get hurt a bit, do a bit of damage and learn to understand guns. You let your daughters have lipstick right? (Much more dangerous)... Learn the dangers young. Carry a few bruises and grow into a proper person.

[SuperBeagle]

How the fuck is lipstick more dangerous than a BB gun?

Daft git.

[user1471516728]

My son (now 16) was a member of an airsoft club and has both a pistol and a rifle for use at the club only.

He goes back for the odd day but that is the only time they are allowed to be used, plus the odd target session in the garden. He understands that no way are they to leave the house at any point for both safety reasons and the danger of them being mistaken as real. So in OP's circumstances I would say no but if there is a club nearby perhaps take them all to that instead (similar set up to paintball).

They are not guns in the proper sense of the word, although obviously if fired at point blank range could damage eyes etc, at a distance they are pretty harmless.

[Aroundtheworldandback]

We had a horrendous accident with a BB gun which almost killed our dog when he ran into the garden, had to have life saving surgery. Easy- just say no.

[Leavesandburies]

No I wouldn't! There is literally no instance where it would be ok for them to be using this gun. Not for play, not for killing birds, not for shooting cans (well maybe the last one is the only ok one).

[Pallisers]

No way.

[LineysRun]

No I wouldn't.

[blankface]

@44alex44

ZOMBIE THREAD

you've resurrected it from 2013

[LynetteScavo]

No

[LynetteScavo]

Art @ "proper person"

I k is plenty of proper people who have never handled a gun.

When I was at school a girl was shot in the bum with a BB gun. Oh how we laughed. With hindsight it wasn't very funny

[viques]

ripsihere

your mother shoots at pigeons and herons? what a cow.