I went to get my hair cut at the barber shop in the neighboring town and there was this guy there with his two sons and little daughter. Much like a doctor's office there are ton of magazines, mostly hunting fishing ones, which is oh-so befitting of central-PA, or redneck central.

Anyway, the one son (I'm guessing around 8) kept taking different issues over to his dad and I heard the phrase "daddy, will you buy me this pistol?" I don't know what it was about that phrase - maybe his use of the word "pistol" over "gun" or "this" - that really bugged me. Maybe it was because it was a handgun rather than a rifle and related more to hunting?

Generally, I'm not one of these people that normally worries about guns and their place in society - I could honestly care less about owning a gun of my own as didn't grow up hunting - but there was something about this that really got me thinking if your going to indroduce to hunting/guns, what/is there a correct way to do it?

In the end, I don't know what I'm really asking for here, but that statement and word choice from a person so young really stood out.

I definitely think there's a right way to introduce kids (and adults) to guns. You have to do it through safety first. A gun is NOT a toy! Maybe that's why that phrase bothered you. Somehow, it sounds like a kid asking for a toy, when of course guns are not toys and not meant for playing around. You have to treat it with respect, and many people fail to do that. I think it was Alfred Hitchcock who said "any idiot can use a gun, and many do". However, if you screw up, you're liable to seriously hurt or kill someone. Anyway, I've never gone hunting but have gone target shooting and it's fun. However, I always go with professionals (former military, and police), people who have real training.

cheers,

-avatar!

That is rather peculiar for an eight year old to make that distinction. Least he didn't ask his dad for that "heater", or "piece", or "hand cannon".

Don't forget 'Burner'!

What was the father's response?

Didn't really catch it since the place was pretty busy, I don't believe his response was negative or in anyway corrective.

Heh, that's Pennsylvania for ya!

LOL, yeah - don't I know it.

Edit:

Additionally, all I was hearing before the election at work was: "Obama wants to take away my guns" and "they'll take my guns out of my dead, cold hands," etc. It's amazing (and rather funny) how rednecks respond when something they're into is supposedly threatened.

Also, I love their love for the confederate flag. I have to agree with Robin Williams: "You know, people say the confederate flag is just a symbol for states rights, yeah, and the swastika is just a Tibetan good luck charm."

heh, Gotta Love It.