Shooting Range Birthday Party?

[Tigger&Belle]

What do you think about this? http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/5486-texas-gun-range-offers-birthday-parties-for-children

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I have mixed feelings. I like the idea of the NRA training which I believe every child should experience whether their parents own a gun or not. And 8 is not too young to learn to shoot. Not sure about this as a group outing for new shooters, however.

 

[Christopher Robin]

Safety first, and COOL!

 

[Princess Dolly]

While I don't have issues with kids going to the gun range, I am not sure about the party aspect of it. Guns are not toys or party favors.

 

[Pigeon]

I think my kids wouldn't be attending, nor would they be socializing with any kid whose family vaguely thought this was appropriate.

 

[hallie]

It's not my thing, but I don't see anything wrong with it either. The fact that the kids are given a safety course first is awesome, that's knowledge that could keep them safe if they stubble upon a gun at friends house etc...

 

[soccerdad72]

8 or 9 years old seems a little on the young side for something like this, but I could see my 12 year old going to something like this, assuming it's all done safely and properly supervised.

 

[sunshinehighway]

It wouldn't happen here. Its just not something most people would be comfortable with.
Birthday parties should be about the kids having fun together. It doesn't seem like that can really happen at this type of party.

 

[kimblebee]

I truly can't wrap my head around this idea. Shooting guns at a birthday party?!? I understand they get safety training blah blah blah but they are kids. Shooting GUNS.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't see a problem with it if shooting/hunting is something that interests the birthday boy/girl.

We had DS's (now 9) birthday party at a lazer tag place... THAT'S "playing" with guns IMO. The shooting range, not so much.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If I were a marksman, and I was ok with my child getting into that sport, and I had already gone through gun safety with him or her, and the child was 12 or older, and I was going to the party, I'd possibly be ok with this idea.

 

[Pixiedust34]

On a related note, my ds went to an airsoft b-day party (all teen guys in attendance) and everyone had a great time with their airsoft guns. We've never been to a paintball party, but those seem popular. I guess a shooting range could been seen as a similar type of party, though perhaps the kids are a bit young for it. ???

We don't hunt, so I don't know much about it, but I have seen photos of young kids (under 10) hunting. Maybe the host family is into hunting, gun safety, etc?

OT: Is there a legal age in some states you have to be in order to carry and use firearms while hunting?

 

[mickeyboat]

I think it's great if it is something the birthday person and his or her friends are interested in. Why is it really different than other "activity-type" party places?

Lots of parties do otherwise dangerous activities that would not otherwise be safe except under controlled circumstances - like rock climbing walls or trampolines or laser tag or go-karts. Why is shooting guns different?

 

[yoopermom]

The U.P. is a lot like Texas in that it would be "no big deal" up here. Most kids have been handling guns since well before that age...

I, too, will be interested to see, though what people think about this vs airsoft (where you're shooting at a person...).

Terri

 

[scrapquitler]

I think it's great if it is something the birthday person and his or her friends are interested in. Why is it really different than other "activity-type" party places?

Lots of parties do otherwise dangerous activities that would not otherwise be safe except under controlled circumstances - like rock climbing walls or trampolines or laser tag or go-karts. Why is shooting guns different?

I agree with this! If a parent doesn't want to have their child attend this birthday party, they can just decline. I bet the kids are less likely to get hurt at this sort of party than in a bouncy house or a go cart party.

At least with this they aren't shooting at people like in laser tag or paintball.

 

[DopeyDame]

10 or 12 seems like a better age than 8, but I don't see it as a huge problem or a big deal. I can't imagine it happening in my circle of friends, but for people who enjoy shooting and hunting and for social circles that are comfortable with guns, I imagine it could be a fun activity.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I have no problem with it but I am not sure I would drop my child off and not stay at that age.

 

[Kat77]

We do not hunt or own weapons but it is pretty common in Texas. I would not host such a party but I would allow my children to attend one. In fact, my boys have done this activity with their scout troops. Most of these parties involve bb guns, not rifles, if that makes any difference. And they spend way more time discussing gun safety than shooting.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I have no problem with it but I am not sure I would drop my child off and not stay at that age.

I don't think its a drop your kid off and leave thing. A different article I read said the parents need to be with the kids and the parent supervises the kid shooting.

 

[mrodgers]

At least with this they aren't shooting at people like in laser tag or paintball.

i'm not so sure about that... Reading some of the comments here, I think some folks think that they will have a short safety course and then be let to run around wild with guns

Is that what some folks think? It is inappropriate for 8 years old? Do you not think that there probably is one child at a time handling the gun with an instructor right next to them to help them? What is the thought? They have a 15 minute discussion in a room and then hand all the kids an AR15 and say "Go have fun"?

8 years old sounds about the perfect time to start teaching about gun safety. At 8 years old, they are mature enough to understand what they are being told and to learn.