Shooting Range Birthday Party?

[Gumbo4x4]

Ok, so, do you ask people if they own guns before you hang out with them? How exactly do you know if they own guns or not? Are your kids allowed to hang out with kids whose parents are police officers?

This

 

[Gumbo4x4]

This is a pretty common opinion in the area where I live, close to a major city. I grew up in redneckville, lol, where most of the guys in my high school class were out "sick" the first days of turkey or deer season. Almost everyone I knew grew up around guns. But in a city area, guns are perceived to be associated with gangs and criminals. When the topic occasionally comes up, most coworkers and friends are horrified that I shot a gun at age 6. The only ones who aren't are those who came from a similar background.

I know how to handle guns safely, so I don't perceive them as a threat (unless of course, they were to be used in that manner) or a reflection of whether I should be friends or not with someone.

It really depends completely on your perspective, and everyone is going to be different. This poster wouldn't be friends with me or my family. That's ok. Everyone has a right to determine how to raise their children.

I think a lot of city folks might be shocked to find out just how many OTHER city folks own guns and hunt. A few weeks back my boss had some clients in for a duck hunt. Staying in the same lodge were deer hunters from NYC. One of the guys was complaint of having to haul all his gear 2 miles through Manhattan on foot (shortly after Sandy).

 

[tiffjoy]

I think a lot of city folks might be shocked to find out just how many OTHER city folks own guns and hunt. A few weeks back my boss had some clients in for a duck hunt. Staying in the same lodge were deer hunters from NYC. One of the guys was complaint of having to haul all his gear 2 miles through Manhattan on foot (shortly after Sandy).

Probably. But I live near San Francisco (originally from Upstate NY) and it is a bit... unique in regards to such things.

 

[superme80]

That would be awesome if my kids were older. I personally am not a big fan of guns, but I am ok with my kids learning gun safety and proper shooting. They can even go hunting when they're older...as long as I don't have to clean anything.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Public Safety Announcement here for those who no only oppose the party, but also oppose having your kids arround the kind of folks who would host such a Statistically speaking, your kids would be the most likely to pick up a gun and play with should they discover one. Regardless of your stance on guns, I recommend the NRA's Eddie The Eagle safety videos. It might be the most important thing they see.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Probably. But I live near San Francisco (originally from Upstate NY) and it is a bit... unique in regards to such things.

I know gun owners from San Fran - and I don't even know that many people from San Fran

 

[DopeyDame]

I think it's pretty self-explanatory. We don't own guns, don't hang out with people who own guns, and any family who thinks a gun-themed party for children is a good idea isn't anyone I'd want my kids near. YMMV.

Do you let your kids go to pool parties? Just like a gun party, a pool party could go tragically wrong if the adults involved aren't extraordinarily careful. My 3 year old is invited to a pool party in a few weeks, and I told DH that he has to come with me - 20 preschoolers in a pool is a dangerous situation unless there are enough adults. I want to be able to socialize at least a little bit with the other moms, so all 3 of us will go so that at least one adult is watching DS at all times. That's the type of surveillance I would expect at a gun party, too.

 

[tiffjoy]

I know gun owners from San Fran - and I don't even know that many people from San Fran

Ok. I was just sharing my personal experience. I'm sure there are definitely exceptions to my experience.

 

[tiffjoy]

I found the company's website. They certainly are conducting these parties with a definite regard to safety.

For those wondering specifically about supervision, they said one adult is required for every two children.

http://www.eaglegunrangetx.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=502

 

[Andtototoo]

Do you let your kids go to pool parties? Just like a gun party, a pool party could go tragically wrong if the adults involved aren't extraordinarily careful. My 3 year old is invited to a pool party in a few weeks, and I told DH that he has to come with me - 20 preschoolers in a pool is a dangerous situation unless there are enough adults. I want to be able to socialize at least a little bit with the other moms, so all 3 of us will go so that at least one adult is watching DS at all times. That's the type of surveillance I would expect at a gun party, too.

My BIL is an EMT and he always impressed upon us that people do NOT take the kind of care with their own children that you'd expect, so don't expect them to take care with YOUR kids. And I've read far too many stories of kids who drown while a party goes on around them and no one notices. (Heck, wasn't there a story a year or two ago of an adult drowning in a public pool and not only did no one notice her drowning, no one noticed her CORPSE in the pool?)

So while I'd like to be able to expect that level of surveillance, in reality it would be unwise to expect it. That's why when my dd was young and invited to a pool party, I always went along. I can't tell you how often the party host/hostess was so busy with other duties or with talking, that they were NOT paying attention to chldren's safety. And why if my dd were invited to a gun party, she'd decline.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Do you let your kids go to pool parties? Just like a gun party, a pool party could go tragically wrong if the adults involved aren't extraordinarily careful. My 3 year old is invited to a pool party in a few weeks, and I told DH that he has to come with me - 20 preschoolers in a pool is a dangerous situation unless there are enough adults. I want to be able to socialize at least a little bit with the other moms, so all 3 of us will go so that at least one adult is watching DS at all times. That's the type of surveillance I would expect at a gun party, too.

Pools can be very dangerous. There are far fewer pool owners than gun owners in the U.S., yet our children are far more likely to die in a pool than from a gunshot. So, with that in mind I don't find it unusual that anyone would object to taking their kid to either a shooting range party or a pool party.

But, I also equate refusing to allow their children to associate with someone who'd host a gun party to be pretty much equal to refusing to allow their children to associate with anyone who owns a pool. And that just sounds weird

 

[DopeyDame]

Pools can be very dangerous. There are far fewer pool owners than gun owners in the U.S., yet our children are far more likely to die in a pool than from a gunshot. So, with that in mind I don't find it unusual that anyone would object to taking their kid to either a shooting range party or a pool party.

But, I also equate refusing to allow their children to associate with someone who'd host a gun party to be pretty much equal to refusing to allow their children to associate with anyone who owns a pool. And that just sounds weird

Yup - I agree with you 100% (Clearly I don't think I explained my point very well.)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Yup - I agree with you 100% (Clearly I don't think I explained my point very well.)

I thought you did, I was just trying to add on

 

[sunshinehighway]

Pools can be very dangerous. There are far fewer pool owners than gun owners in the U.S., yet our children are far more likely to die in a pool than from a gunshot. So, with that in mind I don't find it unusual that anyone would object to taking their kid to either a shooting range party or a pool party.

But, I also equate refusing to allow their children to associate with someone who'd host a gun party to be pretty much equal to refusing to allow their children to associate with anyone who owns a pool. And that just sounds weird

Where I live, a gun range party would be considered weird. I'd never say I wouldn't associate with people who own guns. Most likely, I wouldn't know if they did or not. Guns, whether for hunting or something else, are just not part of the culture here like they are in other places.

 

[MissMichigan]

Assuming the range handles it properly (as in, doesn't hand each kid a gun and then turn them loose, which I can't imagine happening for insurance reasons alone among other) then i'd be fine with it. Heck, I'd attend and join in if invited. I didn't grow up with guns, and only shot one for the first time this year, but since meeting my DB (total redneck, lol) I've learned how fun it is and have come to really enjoy it.

In fact, this sounds like the kind of party DB would want to have for his kids, should he have any. We spend a lot of time out at ranges here with our friends. We're actually headed out Saturday morning because my parents bought him a bunch of new target for Christmas. It's a hobby, and a sport, and fun. I've seen all sorts of different people out there, ranging from young macho guys, to whole families with young children.

I don't understand the "my kids won't interact with kids who's parents own/use guns" mentality. Just because someone owns a gun or enjoys the sport, doesn't mean they have a loaded assault rifle laying on the couch with the safety off. Do parents go into each new friends house and search it top to bottom before their kid is allowed to play? Or are we supposed to put a sign in the window? Point being, that seems like an odd statement to make, because unless that's one of the first questions you (general you) ask everyone you meet, or really do search friend's homes...how can you be sure? You could come to my apartment, bring your kids, have dinner, socialize for hours, and leave without ever knowing there were 3 rifles here. They aren't visible, and we don't go around pointing them out or talking about their presence.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Where I live, a gun range party would be considered weird. I'd never say I wouldn't associate with people who own guns. Most likely, I wouldn't know if they did or not. Guns, whether for hunting or something else, are just not part of the culture here like they are in other places.

For the record, it would probably be considered weird here too, even though owning & using guns would not. And I wouldn't be shocked to find that many people who own guns and whose children have already fired guns would say "no" to this kind of party. So, it wasn't objection to the party that I thought was "extreme". It was PP's objection to her children associating with the children of the host (or anyone who would have even a "vague notion" of hosting such a party) that I thought was "extreme".

 

[Pigeon]

This is an issue I have no problem being "extreme" about.

Swimming pools aren't guns, NRA rhetoric notwithstanding.

 

[1001 Ghosts]

I'd certainly reply with a quick RSVP one way or the other. My spider sense tells me not to get the hosts terribly upset............

 

[Handbag Lady]

This is an issue I have no problem being "extreme" about.

Swimming pools aren't guns, NRA rhetoric notwithstanding.

I agree with you.

No, just no.

 

[Ceila]

Both of our kids have shot BB guns at scout camps, and our son plays paintball and airsoft. I actually looked around a bit for something like this for my son's 14th birthday but didn't find anyplace (we live in NJ). He and his scout troop have gone to a range several times for a campout where they learn gun safety and then shoot targets and clay pigeons. It is, without a doubt, their favorite camping trip every year. Personally I wouldn't have done this for his b-day when he was 8 or 9, but I wouldn't have a problem with someone who did.