| Should you buy your child a BB gun for his/her next | | | | you believe the answer when you hear it? |
| Christmas or birthday present? The child is begging | | | | If you are satisfied that the child is mature enough to |
| and pleading for you to get one for him/her. You had | | | | handle a BB gun then you should set some guidelines |
| one at that age. But you wonder if this is a good | | | | before purchasing it. The first guideline should be that |
| idea. Times have changed and thoughts on guns have | | | | the child is not granted full access to it, if the child is |
| changed. You also fear your child may get hurt or | | | | under the age of 16. Remember if the child hurts |
| may accidentally hurt someone else. | | | | himself/herself or someone else, you as the parent |
| You are torn at what decision to make. | | | | are libel in a court of law. |
| First, begin by thinking about the maturity level of | | | | After purchasing the BB gun, you should teach your |
| your child. Would he/she understand the basic safety | | | | child how to handle it properly. How to hold the BB |
| measures that have to be taken when owning a BB | | | | gun, how to load it, the best angle to shoot and, of |
| gun? Would he/she understand that a child under the | | | | course, never to point it at people. |
| age of 16 really should not be allowed to play with a | | | | Finally, you must be explicit and warn the child never |
| BB gun without adult supervision, even if he/she is | | | | to take the gun to school. If the child does, chances |
| only in the backyard shooting at pop cans? Does he | | | | are the child will be expelled and you will be in trouble |
| she realize that a BB gun is not a toy? Does he/she | | | | with the law. |
| further realize that a BB gun could actually hurt | | | | Yes, BB guns can be a fun sport for a child to learn, |
| someone? | | | | especially if you plan on teaching the child hunting |
| You need to have these types of conversations with | | | | skills. Yet, BB guns should be used responsibly. Once |
| the child first. You also need to really focus on how | | | | you teach your child this fact, your child will know the |
| he/she answer these questions. Then you need to | | | | most important BB safety tip. |
| ask the child why he/she really wants a BB gun. Do | | | | |