Thanks for the link, Becky! For some reason, it didn't take me there the first time, but I made it finally! Let me quote something from the article: Maryland's hunter-safety requirement places it among 13 states with youth-hunter policies that the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation consider "somewhat restrictive." A 2004 report commissioned by the groups lists 17 states with less-restrictive regulations and 20 with policies that are considered more restrictive because they ban most hunting before age 12. The study found that hunters 6 to 15, when accompanied by an adult, have a better safety record than hunters overall. It reported that in 2002, there were 1.6 shooting incidents for every 1 million supervised youth hunters, compared with 52 incidents per million hunters of all ages. (End quote!!!) If the kids have such a good track record, WHY are we even discussing this? Sounds a lot like people who want to put restrictions on homeschooling because of our "lack of accountability". No one is talking about having "armed" 5YO's living next door. We are talking about children who are under the direct supervision of an adult. I might also add that a child who has killed an animal like this has a real understanding of DEAD, and that the gun is NOT a toy, unlike those who gets thier firearms education by watching TV, or shooting-'em-up computer games. Jen, I don't live in the country. We don't keep loaded firearms of any kind in our home. When DH goes hunting, they are not transported loaded. Hunting laws are STATE WIDE. You're not going to get rules for those living in the city and those in the country. I think I'm going to unsubscribe to this thread. I AM NOT UPSET WITH ANYONE!!! I RESPECT ALL OF YOUR OPINONS!!! But I don't think there's anything more to say that hasn't been said, and am afraid if I continue on, someone somewhere will take my words out of context and get upset with them.
Jackie, I don't disagree with you dear. And I know facts are facts, and that's ok. I just have a problem with guns all together. Whether they are for hunting or anything else. They serve no Godly purpose, that's all. I am happy you choose to be a responsible adult and your hubby when it comes to hunting safety. It's just too bad that not every parent is that responsible. You guys can vouch for your own families, but you can't vouch for others, that's why laws exist...because there are too many irresponsible people that don't do the things you do to prevent things. Some families don't have the common sense. If these laws didn't exist, then there would be other cases to write about. This article also said that the reports did not include incidents that happend with unsupervised children.
Jackie, what does homeschooling have to do with this little kid??? Did the article say he was homeschooled? I missed that. You know, I posted this story just because I thought it was wild that a 5 yr old was allowed to shoot an animal, and enjoyed it. I was appalled that he liked to see the animal die. I also saw this story as being akin to the 8 yr old's story. I wasn't starting a gun debate or gun control debate. I do think it's wild that this boy was only 5. My 5 year old won't look at Bugs Bunny because someone on there is always trying to hurt the other. ( Elmer Fudd is always shooting at someone, Wiley Coyote is always trying to eat the roadrunner. That's just how she sees it.) I'm fine with everybody on this thread, including Brooke. If someone posts here they are doing it of their own free will, I'm not forcing anyone to read it. I don't see why Brenda is surprised that I posted it, either. I wasn't trying to be in anyone's face, I was posting an interesting story. Sigh... I guess when I read about the toddler whose Pull-Up fell down when he bagged himself a groundhog, I'll keep that one to myself.
I will say, though, that it is surprising that there aren't more stringent regulations. You'd think there would be, since there are a lot of restrictions on even getting a driver's license. Cars are as much of a weapon as guns are, if you think about it.
Becky, I do think it's wild to have a child that young go hunting. Maybe it's because I have never heard of such a thing before to let a child go that young. Nobody in my family was allowed that young or heard of it around here. Maybe to others it's not so wild because it's not unusual? Maybe that's why it seems we are the only two who think it's a little crazy.
Becky, I guess I didn't explain myself carefully enough ;-) . No, there was no indication given that this boy was HS'ed. Let me try again. To me, the issue is the same one we face as HS'ers. How do we respond when people (non-HS'ers) say it's not right that we aren't regulated more than we are? That we don't have accountability? That all we do is play all day with the kids? "Well, I know YOU are qualified, etc. but what about OTHERS....." And then you hear about the rare HS'er who is abusive (though the last few cases I've heard of these turned out they weren't HS'ing legally, and CPS already had been in numerous contacts with the kids, etc.) How do we, as HS'ers, respond? We usually inform them about how well HS'ers do on their SATs, college entrance exams, etc. We resist any any additional regulations, claiming it isn't necesary, based on the record. It's the same thing with gun regs!!! Read what that quote from the story says!!! These kids are SAFER than the adults! Ladies, if it ain't broke, why do we want to fix it? 1.6 incidents out of a MILLION!!! I simply don't see kids getting hurt from legal hunting!!! Heck, your kitchen is probably more dangerous than that! Jen, it's cool! Don't worry about offending me; there's a greater chance you'll offend someone who is just reading the thread instead .
I am unsubscribing to this thread as I am sure others will too. Like I said, it's cool to have diffrent opinions, but just because someone says something you don't agree with, doesn't mean they are wrong, it's just a personal opinion. There are ways of discussing without sounding like "our way is the only way". Night ladies, and I love you all. May not agree with you all, but I respect your opinoins and wouldn't judge you for them.
Well, I think the comment made by Jackie about offending someone reading this was not meant to hurt your feelings. I took it as it is going to take a while to get her upset and for her to have hurt feelings. I don't see her backing down at any point on her standings. Nor should she. I am amazed how I read and see more bickering here then with my two children. It is amazing to me that this is a group of church going people who can't seem to put the differences aside and look at the things we have in common, Homeschooling or the love of/for our kids. Just utterly amazed. Lord have mercy on us all.
Just so everyone knows, Jackie and I got things taken care of and are cool. I misunderstood and that was all. I see now what was meant by it and not what I originally thought. It happens. We need a voice system on these forums. Think of the possibilities......... Now, I am going to really unsubscribe to this thread. Not because I don't want to discuss a serious matter, but because I think we have all said our peace and there is really nothing left for me to say about it. Everyone knows my stance.....so carry on.
I will be glad when the guns will get turned into plowing shears and the whole earth will learn peace.God LOVES us all great and small.May God keep us safe.
When I put my arrow on it it says something about votes. I am guessing you can vote on posts/threads?
