What is your FIRST thought when you see this picture?

[Berta]

It's also good for children to realize that there is a criminal element to our society and that mom and dad will do what ever they can to protect them. Letting them in on the fact that there is evil in this world doesn't mean they will walk around in fear.

 

In our case, my older daughter has experienced that first hand. At the age of seven she was a witness to a death and gave the police the name of the person involved. That person has been stalking her since she was SEVEN years old. We moved 600 miles to get away from him. I taught her gun safety how to handle a gun from a young age. At 17 she can safely handle a firearm and is not afraid to walk out the door. At age 18 she can legally own her own firearm and at 21 she will legally be able to carry one. When we were looking for a state to move to I made sure we moved to a gun friendly state because we were living in NJ, where no one has rights.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Berta

[Stacia]

Shooting can be a sport, like archery. Teaching kids to shoot doesn't necessarily mean they're being taught any particular worldview. Guns are a tool, like screwdrivers, and many people use them as part of a hobby, also like screwdrivers. If a dad was teaching his kid woodworking, no one would complain that he was trying to burden the kid with some grownup issues; same for shooting.

 

 

Although I'm sure there have been deaths by screwdrivers, I am certain that death by screwdriver is much, much, much less common than death by shooting. In fact, I am certain that death by all tools combined are still fewer than deaths by guns on an annual basis (including both accidental & purposeful deaths caused by tools vs. guns).

 

And, tool usage is not usually taught for the purpose of personal protection, unlike guns (which I know can be a 'hobby', but are also often taught for personal protection use in addition to hobby usage).

 

Big difference.

[marbel]

Although I'm sure there have been deaths by screwdrivers, I am certain that death by screwdriver is much, much, much less common than death by shooting. In fact, I am certain that death by all tools combined are still fewer than deaths by guns on an annual basis (including both accidental & purposeful deaths caused by tools vs. guns).

 

 

Oh my. Is it time to talk about death by automobile now?

 

Accidents do happen with guns. Accidents with guns are less likely when people have been trained in their use, as with any other tool.

[Stacia]

Oh my. Is it time to talk about death by automobile now?

 

Accidents do happen with guns. Accidents with guns are less likely when people have been trained in their use, as with any other tool.

 

 

Sure. You can go in that direction if you want. Yes, training in almost any field helps prevent accidents. It doesn't mean that accidents (or purposeful misuse) never happen.

 

I think that typically people learn to drive more from necessity than as a hobby (at least in many parts of the US where public transportation is not a great option &/or the wide open spaces to traverse necessitate a vehicle). And, I think the discussion was based on guns & tools for hobby use more than anything else, so that's why I see driving as a somewhat different topic. Also, though a vehicle can certainly be used for personal protection, that is not usually the primary purpose of learning to drive a car.

[Lisbeth]

 

 

 

Hmmm. I don't know. I have life insurance, auto insurance and homeowners insurance. It's not because I expect the worst. It gives me peace of mind (and keeps me from getting ticketed for not having it :tongue_smilie: ).

 

And we have no idea what lessons this child is being taught. It's just a fraction of a second of her life we are seeing here. I doubt it's even a real shooting session.

 

Also, couldn't we make the same argument about martial arts? That's generally perceived to be great confidence builder, but with enough training, a person could become lethal with their bare hands. Some would even say that is their intent. Not many, but they are out there. It IS very common for self defense to be the main focus. Even for little kids.

 

Why can't shooting sports be a confidence builder like any other sport? Becoming competent at something makes a person feel competent.

 

Amen.

[LaCEmom]

First thought: Keep scrolling (That's what I did when I saw it on Facebook.)

 

I wasn't shocked or horrified. To me it just looked like a mom teaching a girl to fire a gun. I interpreted the caption to mean "that way if she ever needs the skill then she'll have it."

[CatholicMom]

I think the caption makes it seem a bit over-done. I think it's a valid point, though.

 

In reality, judging from the picture and not the text, it's simply a mom teaching her daughter how to shoot a gun. So what, IMO. My dad helped my 9 year old shoot a rifle for the first time last summer. It's a good skill to know. It doesn't necessarily have to mean that you are scaring the ba-jeebies out of your kid all the time, or preparing for the apocalypse, or that you will turn your child loose with a gun soon, or that you are training them to take down a bad guy in the near future. In reality, parents who teach their kids how to shoot guns are teaching them a useful skill and when they are done, they put the ammo up and lock away the gun, and carry on with the day. It's not really as horrifying and gasp-worthy as people make it out to be.

 

I do think this picture tries to capitalize on the "Bad-A"/ feminist aspect which is a bit cheesy, IMO, and just gets the anti-gun people riled up. Whatever. It's a little silly to me. In reality a kid learning to shoot a gun should not be scandalous.

[Heather in Neverland]

My first thought (as a strong supporter of the second amendment) was this is just another extreme picture trying to portray gun owners as right wing wackos who solve every problem they have with a gun.

 

But it was created by a group called "Second Amendment Rights" and is being circulated by all my pro-gun friends. They seem to take great pride in this pic.

[mrsrevmeg]

The first time I saw it, it was being posted by a friend who is married to a lawyer. She commented that her husband has been saying the same thing about restraining orders for years. I don't see a problem with it.

[Arcadia]

Spam by Danar2amir reported (because I can't sleep with my two bookworms awake :p)

[Berta]

 

But it was created by a group called "Second Amendment Rights" and is being circulated by all my pro-gun friends. They seem to take great pride in this pic.

 

 

That is because there is nothing wrong with this picture.

 

It's a dose of reality that shatters every mother to the core; the thought that something awful could happen to that little girl in her jammies. But guess what, it happens every.single.day.

 

I have a daughter that has been stalked for TEN years. There isn't a darn thing the detectives or police can do. We can't even GET a restraining order because he hasn't physically touched her and there is not enough "proof" that will hold up to a judge in order to get a restraining order. I taught her basic safety, and then I taught her marksmanship. No piece of paper gives me the peace of watching her handle a firearm.

[Butter]

Fierst thought? Meh. I have cousins (boy cousins) who were taught to shoot at that age and were accompanying their dads on hunting trips not much later. One cousin bagged his first wild turkey by 8 or 9. He's a cop today.

 

Second thought: She's awfully little. But at least her mom is right there with her making sure she's safe with it. So still Meh.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

My first thoughts? Nostalgia for my childhood. :-)

 

I grew up learning how to responsibly use guns. I do not own any guns now, as an adult, but I am glad that I learned to use them safely, under the watchful eye of my dad. I regret that my kids will not have that experience growing up.

 

I think when guns are only seen in fantasy situations- movies, video games, novels... children get a very wrong idea bout how guns work and the level of seriousness with which guns should be taken. We (my brother and I) NEVER played pretend gun games. We knew how dangerous real guns are, and found no fun in pretending to mutilitate or kill each other.

[kiwik]

To me it is a posed photo. Kind of looks like soft porn for mad gun enthusiasts.

 

However I will admit I have never seen a hand gun and hope to never see one inside my country (if I do something, somewhere has gone wrong). I don't mind hunting weapons providing they are kept properly locked up but I would be uncomfortable with anyone using them until their teens at least. That said when I was a child my father had a muzzle loading rifle and a 303 in the cupboard and I did hold one of them once - it was so heavy a couldn't hold it level for more than about two seconds. It was unloaded as I imagine the gun the girl in the picture was hiding was unloaded.

[jillian]

I think it's spectacular. That gun may not be the right size for the child but we absolutely plan on teaching dd to shoot as soon as she's old enough to maintain herself and her weapon at the range.

 

edit: we have a shotgun in the house for home defense, and dd is allowed to see it/touch it after it has been checked and cleared three times by dh or myself and we are right there with her. we are determined to demystify guns for her. It is secured in a safe and the key is inaccessible to her. I plan on getting my concealed carry permit soon, as soon as we have the funds for me to purchase the weapon I want to for carry. Guns aren't dangerous in and of themselves, it is the people who are holding/using/owning them that do not understand the huge responsibility they have with that said gun that are the dangerous part.

 

We also enforce and practice range safety/gun safety rules with dd even with her play toy nerf guns. Will those hurt anyone? No, but we want her to get used to the rules.

[Jenny in Florida]

I finally unfriended someone I know through church after she posted this a few days ago. She has been getting more and more outspoken about promoting gun ownership (including posting photos of her own newly-13-year-old daughter on her first trip to the gun range) for several months, statements she's been alternating with comments about how flabbergasted and upset she is when kids bring guns to school or whenever there's a mass shooting, and I finally came to the conclusion she is not a person with whom I want to interact regularly.

 

So, my first thought was, "Okay, I'm done now. That's enough for me."

 

And then I hit "unfriend."

[Garga]

First thought: staged picture.

 

IRL that small of a child would not be using that gun.

 

And just because there is that caption under the picture it doesn't mean anyone told the little girl that's why she was learning to shoot the gun. Not that she was actually learning, being that it was obviously a staged picture. In the past, this would have been a political cartoon. But today photography is easier than finding an artist to draw your cartoon.

 

I rank this as a political cartoon, via photography.

 

[Berta]

Why do some think this is a staged photo? Maybe she is letting the girl handle the gun to get a feel for it. My younger daughter has held my unloaded guns. She has not held or shot a loaded gun because she still practices with a BB gun. I want her to feel 100% comfortable with a real (unloaded) gun in her hands before touching a loaded gun. I want her to be able to check for a clear chamber and load the magazine with her eyes closed first. She has had her BB gun for almost a year now and I she handles it as if it is real. This is how I taught my older daughter. SAFETY first.

 

Does this photo look staged? It's my younger daughter practicing with her BB gun.

 

 

The other picture is my older daughter at the range. Why would either photo offend or enrage anyone??

 

[Berta]

First thought: staged picture.

 

IRL that small of a child would not be using that gun.

 

And just because there is that caption under the picture it doesn't mean anyone told the little girl that's why she was learning to shoot the gun. Not that she was actually learning, being that it was obviously a staged picture. In the past, this would have been a political cartoon. But today photography is easier than finding an artist to draw your cartoon.

 

I rank this as a political cartoon, via photography.

 

My daughter is all of 5' tall and that photo I just posted shows her shooting a .357 magnum, which is a BIG gun. The gun in the picture looks like it has a front laser sight under the supressor. I don't know what kind of gun it is but it very likely could be a .22, which is a perfect, lightweight, easy to for children and beginners to shoot.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Berta

[Garga]

Ok then, she can use that gun.

 

I personally think it's completely fine that she's learning the gun.

 

I think the issue is with the caption. And the caption is what makes it feel like a political cartoon. I think the message in caption is correct--a restraining order means nothing to a crazy person. The idea that someone told the caption to the little girl isn't necessarily true. And even if they did, so what? It IS dangerous to be a female. The teen years and early 20's are the most dangerous times, as women of those ages are the prime targets for predatorial men.

 

 

[Tita Gidge]

I wondered if Mom had enough body fat to conceal carry.

 

I think the caption is fine, if inflammatory.

 

Teaching a girl to shoot for that reason doesn't mean you're telling her it's for that reason.

 

Teaching a girl confidence that she can defend herself isn't bad; whatever discipline of choice, judo or shooting or knives.

 

Heck, teaching these to boys is great also.

 

I have only one girl but a gaggle of boys and TBH I'm more worried about the nutjob girls running around than I am any boy.

 

There are some Seriously Crazy Girls out there.

 

I'm not a big gun person, but my husband was. It was part of his job, plus a significant part of his leisure.

 

All of our kids learned to shoot, and most still shoot recreationally - including my 7 year old daughter.

 

However she chooses or needs to use those skills later in life ... or not ... she'll have them in her toolbox, nonetheless.

[marbel]

I finally unfriended someone I know through church after she posted this a few days ago. She has been getting more and more outspoken about promoting gun ownership (including posting photos of her own newly-13-year-old daughter on her first trip to the gun range) for several months, statements she's been alternating with comments about how flabbergasted and upset she is when kids bring guns to school or whenever there's a mass shooting, and I finally came to the conclusion she is not a person with whom I want to interact regularly.

 

I'm always flabbergasted when someone behaves inappropriately with a gun, or when there's a mass shooting too. I believe most people are. But it has nothing to do with someone's opinion on legal guns, or on teaching a child to shoot. I don't see the contradiction in your ex-friend's postings.

 

Mentally healthy, law-abiding people don't participate in mass shootings or otherwise behave inappropriately with firearms. But they may be able to protect themselves and others in a mass shooting.

[Berta]

I finally unfriended someone I know through church after she posted this a few days ago. She has been getting more and more outspoken about promoting gun ownership (including posting photos of her own newly-13-year-old daughter on her first trip to the gun range) for several months, statements she's been alternating with comments about how flabbergasted and upset she is when kids bring guns to school or whenever there's a mass shooting, and I finally came to the conclusion she is not a person with whom I want to interact regularly.

 

So, my first thought was, "Okay, I'm done now. That's enough for me."

 

And then I hit "unfriend."

 

 

Why are you lumping a law abiding gun owner in with a crazy, deranged man that committed murder? This really bothers me. I am no more responsible for any of the mass shootings then your former friend. Would you like it if someone lumped you in with a drunk driver that killed a child just because you own a car?

[SharonM]

The caption bothers me more than the picture. I was raised around guns. We had them and used them for target practice. My dad and brothers hunted. My husband hunts. I have been shooting since i wasnt much older that this child. It bothers me that the caption is saying that the parents can't protect the child, that this child will have to protect herself. Most likely not true. Shooting isn't the only way to learn to protect yourself.

"Kids" can learn to be around guns and not kill themselves or others.

Some kids should not be allowed near them because they wont leave them alone even after taught to.

Careful parents know the difference.

That said, there are many ways to kill people. Guns are just one way.

[Shahrazad]

I admit that I am pretty pro-gun control (and would probably be cool with an Aussie style gun restriction even) however, I certainly believe that the ability for citizens to possess guns is not going to change in the US (though I certainly wish there would be a little more regulation regarding background checks/psychological condition) and that being the case, would not be adverse to teaching my daughters (or sons, I suppose) how to shoot. I don't know how myself and I'm sure I'd regret it if I were ever in a self-defense position. My uncle (mother's side) bought me pepper spray, offered me a taser (which I declined), and told me I should learn (as he carries) but I'm afraid to go to the shooting range and have people get the wrong idea of me dressed as I do. For now, I try to give my children the appropriate deference the seriousness of guns (or weapons in general) by not allowing them to pretend play with them and I do not allow them to play with toy guns in any situation. I have another family member who is a real fool about it. Doesn't even have a gun safe and leaves loaded guns sitting around despite children being in the house (with the idea being that pulling the slide(?) would be way too difficult for a child to do since even his wife doesn't have the strength to do it). Obviously, I avoid that family member like the plague, but if my kids ever were in a situation where they encountered something like that I'd certainly want them to understand it is NOT a toy.

[Berta]

I admit that I am pretty pro-gun control (and would probably be cool with an Aussie style gun restriction even) however, I certainly believe that the ability for citizens to possess guns is not going to change in the US (though I certainly wish there would be a little more regulation regarding background checks/psychological condition) and that being the case, would not be adverse to teaching my daughters (or sons, I suppose) how to shoot. I don't know how myself and I'm sure I'd regret it if I were ever in a self-defense position. My uncle (mother's side) bought me pepper spray, offered me a taser (which I declined), and told me I should learn (as he carries) but I'm afraid to go to the shooting range and have people get the wrong idea of me dressed as I do. For now, I try to give my children the appropriate deference the seriousness of guns (or weapons in general) by not allowing them to pretend play with them and I do not allow them to play with toy guns in any situation. I have another family member who is a real fool about it. Doesn't even have a gun safe and leaves loaded guns sitting around despite children being in the house (with the idea being that pulling the slide(?) would be way too difficult for a child to do since even his wife doesn't have the strength to do it). Obviously, I avoid that family member like the plague, but if my kids ever were in a situation where they encountered something like that I'd certainly want them to understand it is NOT a toy.

 

 

I can understand this completely. What you need is a trusted friend or family member to take you to the range. Trust me, no one there is going to be anything other then helpful. I have and would take anyone willing to learn how to safely handle a firearm to the range.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by getting the wrong idea of how you dress. I took my concealed carry test in a long skirt and no one batted an eye!

[Shahrazad]

 

 

I can understand this completely. What you need is a trusted friend or family member to take you to the range. Trust me, no one there is going to be anything other then helpful. I have and would take anyone willing to learn how to safely handle a firearm to the range.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by getting the wrong idea of how you dress. I took my concealed carry test in a long skirt and no one batted an eye!

 

Because I wear a headscarf, I am afraid to go that someone will get the wrong idea about the type of person I am and why I am learning.

[Berta]

See if your local range has a day for ladies. We go on wednesday because it's ladies day and admission is free. You are very likely to see mostly women, of all colors, shapes and sizes. No one will judge you. I took my concealed carry class in a long skirt and my hair up. I wear skirts most of the time and have never had anyone look at me strange.

 

[FaithManor]

I think it is "model posed like mom......."

 

I do like that they found a model whose waist is smaller than a 5 year old girl's.

 

Bill

 

Bill, you are cracking me up today!!!!

 

Faith

[Shahrazad]

I will check the Ladies' day thing out, Berta! Thanks.

[Audrey]

Guns in the hands of adults is already enough evil in this world. Putting them in the hands of children is an unforgiveable crime against the very fabric of humanity itself.

 

That was my first thought. And, the next one, and the next one.

[laughing lioness]

I don't like the caption but shoot away. Both my Gram and Mom were sharpshooters.

[Galatea]

The first thing I thought is "why is there a silencer on a gun during target practice?"

[arghmatey]

My first thought: "Is this a Girl Scout class on how to be a sexy sniper? My daughter won't be signing up for that."

[delaney]

Gun Lobby trying to create an alarmist state and redirect the real issue?

[Guest inoubliable]

Gun Lobby trying to create an alarmist state and redirect the real issue?

 

Nailed it.

[TranquilMind]

I believe in teaching our daughters to shoot. But not at that age. I learned at 12.

 

Right. She's just what...4? Far too young to learn to shoot.

[Jenny in Florida]

 

 

Why are you lumping a law abiding gun owner in with a crazy, deranged man that committed murder? This really bothers me. I am no more responsible for any of the mass shootings then your former friend. Would you like it if someone lumped you in with a drunk driver that killed a child just because you own a car?

 

The gun/car analogy is faulty for a variety of reasons, especially once you toss in "drunk." Cars have a mundane, peaceful, legitimate purpose. Guns are designed and intended to kill and maim.

 

To quote Albert Einstein: You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.

 

From my point of view, if one goes around promoting a society in which many or most of the citizens are toting guns, we shouldn't be surprised when some of those citizens use them.

 

And I'll save you and any others who might want to argue with me some time and let you know that, while you are, of course, welcome to have your say, you won't change my mind about this. I'm one of those crazy, liberal, vegan, pacifist types who is simply not going to agree with you. I'm comfortable with that. I hope you can be, too.

[jillian]

Right. She's just what...4? Far too young to learn to shoot.

LOL that made me laugh because we teach range rules and range safety at home with her toy dart guns. she will probably be getting an airsoft gun this year when she turns 6.

 

As to the argument "why do we need guns in our everyday society", well when criminals get guns easily, when the federal government facilitates weapons to drug cartels--fast and furious--when you have people who are getting weapons and not trained properly with them, you can bet your butt that I am going to want to defend myself in any situation that requires that. A gun is not and hasn't been my first line of defense. I have mace. I know personal safety self defense and that along with my mace are my first defenses.

 

For this picture: I have been in an abusive relationship. I have seen friends in abusive relationships. A piece of paper would not have stopped and asking nicely never stopped my ex from stalking me--including following me into college classes, following me around the city, I would see him pop up when I was in other situations with friends. Thankfully he just followed me and never aggressed on me when we were finished with the relationship. Eventually when I started dating again it took someone else that was bigger than him to scare him into leaving me be. For a couple years after I got phone calls on major holidays and my birthday. It was definitely a scary time for me.

[Berta]

The gun/car analogy is faulty for a variety of reasons, especially once you toss in "drunk." Cars have a mundane, peaceful, legitimate purpose. Guns are designed and intended to kill and maim.

 

To quote Albert Einstein: You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.

 

From my point of view, if one goes around promoting a society in which many or most of the citizens are toting guns, we shouldn't be surprised when some of those citizens use them.

 

And I'll save you and any others who might want to argue with me some time and let you know that, while you are, of course, welcome to have your say, you won't change my mind about this. I'm one of those crazy, liberal, vegan, pacifist types who is simply not going to agree with you. I'm comfortable with that. I hope you can be, too.

 

 

 

Guns are also designed for sport, recreation and competition.

 

You won't get an argument from me. I'm obviously very pro-2A but if someone else wants to throw their rights away, so be it. Don't trample on mine though by trying usurp the Constitution with silly gun control laws that would not change a thing to make anyone safer.