Parents are something else.... **long**

[CathrynRose]

Cathryn Rose, as the mother of a 17 yo DS, I know how stupid boys can be. Mine is a honor roll student who is a good kid and even he makes stupid choices occ. It's unfortunate that Scott's stupid mistake is resoluting in this. I feel very sorry for him.

I think that your S needs to cut off contact with the trouble maker right now. I'm sure you have come to that conclusion on your own.

I hear what everyone has to say about guns and no tolerance. But any mother of a teenage boy who thinks that their son has not done something really, really dumb, isn't looking very hard. IMHO. Funny that those who should be the last to cast stones happened to be the first. (meaning Dustin's mom, in case someone misunderstands me)

Thank you..... I was finding it SO hard to believe Im the only one who has witnessed "Stoooopid Teenage Boy Activity".

I, myself, was even naive about these stupid guns when Joey first got one. I was like "NO WAY!" And it was my fiance who said - theyre not that bad... theyre not what you think. And suggested I get popped in the behind with one to see what we're dealing with.

Fortunetly, my behind is squishy, and honestly it was less than a pinch, at close range.

Boys are boys - and until youve got teenage ones, you may not even know what Im talking about. They like to be sweaty. They like to fart. And they seem to enjoy pain, as well.

 

[diskids2]

OP, I agree with you on this one and want to make a few comments though.

I have a DS, younger than yours, but still I can relate to "boys will be boys". I also understand that neighborhoods, schools, grades, can come up with something that they love to do and it becomes commonplace. How do you think "toy" companies make their money. Remember click clack balls - oh yeah they were safe.

Obviously it is illegal to point this type of gun at someone since the boy was arrested. It will be up to his lawyer and the DA to see if the charge actually sticks. As far as his permanent record, depending on the arrangement made, that may not be there.

As a Mom I would not have pressed charges. I would have had strong discussions with all parents involved - including you as the parent of the "gun" owner and would have removed my air gun from my own son and ask for that to be done with all the others involved. I also agree with other posters, that the "type" that each was - shooter and shootee is irrelevant. I would feel that way if it had happened in reverse as well.

Many times kids look at our reactions to things as well as the situation itself. This includes over and under reacting.

Having said that....I think it would be a wise move to remove all "air" "whatever" type guns from all the households in the neighborhood and learn from this issue.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I think you should have stuck with your original NO WAY reaction.

I do have teen boys. One who will soon be 13 and one who will soon be 16. Yes, they like to do alot of things, some of those things aren't too bright.

 

[disykat]

I'm about as antigun as you get and haven't allowed my 13 year old to get an airsoft (believe me he's asking!), but I agree with the OP that the mom is WAAAY overreacting. It was a toy gun, everyone present knew they were toy guns, no one got hurt.

 

[Maleficent13]

My DH and his brothers used to tazer each other for fun when they were teens. Teen boys are, generally speaking, not so bright.

I'm with the "yes, she's way overreacting" crowd, but think to be safe all toy guns of any kind need to be banned from your house and you need to keep your kids away from any opportunity for the other mom to wig out.

 

[CathrynRose]

Another poster mentioned how she would have flipped out, too - if she saw that. (I dont know if you would have FLIPPED out like this chic, cuz she was being really nasty and vulgar to a 14 y/o, but.....)

I probably would have been ticked too - but I would have yelled at ALL the boys and pulled a "I swear to God, if I EVER see any of you doing this again, Im calling the cops" threat... They would have all gotten yelled at, by me.

But I just feel what the "Mother" did was totally uncalled for. These are kids - and the fact of the matter is, she *knows* Scott is not some horrible child, and didnt deserve to be arrested for what her son did all summer long. It's just not cool.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Law about Airsoft Guns

What is the law?
The United States Federal Government has specified regulations applicable to Airsoft products. Airsoft is a category of air guns subject to all distribution and usage restrictions. Consumers must be at least 18 years of age to purchase an Airsoft gun and full-time parental supervision is required when used by younger persons. A permanent blaze orange marking at the front end of all Airsoft products is a federal requirement for product distinction. All consumer applications MUST have and retain this specified marking with the exception of movie and theatrical applications. Distribution and marketing of Airsoft products are to follow these consumer applications with age restrictions, federal and local air gun regulations:

1. Airsoft Sport Games - Promoting well regulated sporting events and competitions. Provide up to date information to consumers.
2. Movies and Theatricals - Props sold to certified movie studios or stage productions.
3. Firearms Training - Provided to consumer, firearm training facilities, law enforcement officers, and agencies for firearm safety and handling training.
4. Collectors/Displays - Non firing, framed display of historical or collectable imitation firearms.

The blaze orange marking is a federal requirement; all reputable Airsoft manufacturers and dealers must be in compliance with this ruling for legal use. All Airsoft products, foreign and domestic, must meet this safety regulation. DO NOT REMOVE THE ORANGE MARKING AT THE TIP OF THE BARREL! This is violation of Federal Law and will void the warranty!

Are AirSoft guns legal to own and operate?
Airsoft guns are legal to own in most of the United States, with the exception of New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit and possible new legislation in New Jersey. We do not ship to these cities/states (currently NJ is O.K., but subject to change). This is not a complete list - you should always review all local and state laws/ordinances regarding BB, replica and paintball guns before purchasing. It is the buyer's responsibility to be aware of their own local laws and ordinances.

What is the minimum age?
According to the United States federal government regulations, all Airsoft Buyers must be at least 18 years of age. We do not sell to anyone under 18 years of age! Purchasing from this site indicates that you are stating you are 18 years of age, or older.

 

[VSL]

I think Toby'sFriend's quote changes the situation a bit..

 

[buddy&wooz]

I agree Dustin's mom is over the top pressing charges.

But I have 2 teen boys. They have friends with pellet guns, bb guns, paint ball guns. But I won't allow my kids to have them. Sure, boys are boys but that doesn't mean I'll just say ok to whatever they want to do. especially just because their friends are doing it. They have friends who smoke, but I'm not going to run out and buy them cigarettes or just shake my head if I catch them smoking.

They may complain, but they get over it and find some other way to occupy themselves.

And I'm not against guns- just against guns as toys.

 

[RitaZ.]

I found a link and some info for IL. http://www.lcav.org/states/illocalord.asp#bbairpelletguns


BB/Air/Pellet Guns

ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF SOME OR ALL NON-POWDER GUNS - Deerfield (§ 15-54) prohibits the possession of air guns and B-B guns. Elk Grove Village (§ 6-11-3) bans the sale of "handgun styled or sized" B-B or pellet guns. Northbrook (§§ 15-780 and 15-786) prohibits the sale of B-B and pellet guns.

ORDINANCES IMPOSING STRICTER AGE REQUIREMENTS THAN THE ILLINOIS AIR RIFLE ACT, 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535 et seq.

Under 17 - Downers Grove (§ 15-10; see also § 15-2) prohibits the sale of air guns to persons under 17.

Under 18 - Elk Grove Village (§ 6-11-5) prohibits the sale of B-B or pellet guns to persons under 18. Lombard (§§ 130.20 and 130.22) prohibits the sale and possession of B-B, air and pellet guns to or by persons under 18. Niles (§ 66-232) prohibits the sale and possession of B-B and air guns to or by persons under 18. Streamwood (§ 4-4-4) prohibits sales of air guns and air pistols to persons under 18.

Under 21 - River Forest (§ 8-6-17(D)) bans the sale of air guns to persons under 21. regarding laws in IL:

 

[CathrynRose]

I found a link and some info for IL. http://www.lcav.org/states/illocalord.asp#bbairpelletguns


BB/Air/Pellet Guns

ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF SOME OR ALL NON-POWDER GUNS - Deerfield (§ 15-54) prohibits the possession of air guns and B-B guns. Elk Grove Village (§ 6-11-3) bans the sale of "handgun styled or sized" B-B or pellet guns. Northbrook (§§ 15-780 and 15-786) prohibits the sale of B-B and pellet guns.

ORDINANCES IMPOSING STRICTER AGE REQUIREMENTS THAN THE ILLINOIS AIR RIFLE ACT, 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535 et seq.

Under 17 - Downers Grove (§ 15-10; see also § 15-2) prohibits the sale of air guns to persons under 17.

Under 18 - Elk Grove Village (§ 6-11-5) prohibits the sale of B-B or pellet guns to persons under 18. Lombard (§§ 130.20 and 130.22) prohibits the sale and possession of B-B, air and pellet guns to or by persons under 18. Niles (§ 66-232) prohibits the sale and possession of B-B and air guns to or by persons under 18. Streamwood (§ 4-4-4) prohibits sales of air guns and air pistols to persons under 18.

Under 21 - River Forest (§ 8-6-17(D)) bans the sale of air guns to persons under 21. regarding laws in IL:

****Please see the link *I* posted, previously and am posting again, for you***
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:A...en_the_airsoft.2C_air_gun_and_BB_gun_articles

This is NOT an BB/Air/Pellet Guns. NOT an BB/Air/Pellet Guns.....

 

[CathrynRose]

Law about Airsoft Guns

\
This is from a website that sells them, and every other kind of non-bullet gun - not a "law" page.... theyre covering their butttttts.

AND AGAIN - this wasnt intended to be about the legality of owning one (which if it were against the law, wouldnt MY son have been brought in as well?!?!?) This was about a mothers reaction to something her son also does.

And considering her son owns one, and also pop's people with it, I'm quite sure she wasnt concerned with whether or not ownership was legal.

 

[Michie]

Cathryn, I am soooo confused about what type of gun you are talking about

I think the mom over-reacted.I probably would not allowed this type of thing in my house, or rather I know I would not have. And my boyswere raised around guns, are hunters. Boys + shooting at each other =accident ( no matter what they are using.

Maybe the mom had a real bad day, maybe she was under the weather?

 

[cardaway]

I'm pretty sure I know what kind of gun the OP is talking about (I had one as a kid, they go way back) and one of the reasons they may be illegal is exactly why we liked them...

Those plastic pellets are not the only thing they will shoot.

 

[Southern4sure]

\
This is from a website that sells them, and every other kind of non-bullet gun - not a "law" page.... theyre covering their butttttts.

AND AGAIN - this wasnt intended to be about the legality of owning one (which if it were against the law, wouldnt MY son have been brought in as well?!?!?) This was about a mothers reaction to something her son also does.

And considering her son owns one, and also pop's people with it, I'm quite sure she wasnt concerned with whether or not ownership was legal.

Cathrynrose please look at post #57. What I read and posted came from the website you posted. It is basically the same thing as what Tobysfriend posted. I do not see much difference between the two....

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm pretty sure I know what kind of gun the OP is talking about (I had one as a kid, they go way back) and one of the reasons they may be illegal is exactly why we liked them...

Those plastic pellets are not the only thing they will shoot.

Theyre not illegal. My son would have also been arrested, no?

 

[cardaway]

Theyre not illegal. My son would have also been arrested, no?

Hence the "may be" in my post. They are illegal in many places, and I posted one reason why that might be the case.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Airsoft guns can cause minor injuries (nick, welts, BB size bruises and so on). In the most sever case one can loose an eye. So when you play, it is strongly recommended that you wear the proper safety goggles. It is also highly recommended that a face guard or mouth guard be used as well. BBs have been known to chip teeth.

I have a neighbor who is the mother to three boys who are all armed with a variety of "toy" guns. She does make her boys were the protection and that is all fine and dandy, until they start aiming those things at other kids in the nieghborhood. Many kids have been injured by those things around here. The response by the parents when other people's kids get hurt is that "it's just a little bruise." The result? The girls in the nieghborhood (who are the primary targets) no longer wish to play outside. Real nice, huh? Frankly, I don't care if somebody elses kids knock each other's eyes out, but when they are running aroung the nieghborhoods shooting kids who don't even want to participate, that is when I have a huge problem. I am on the verge of calling the police myself over the problems in my area with these stupid guns. I honestly don't know what the parents of these kids are thinking when they arm them with dangerous "toys" and then decide not to supervise their "play." My take on this? If you don't want your 14 year old son arrested for playing with toy guns then either 1) don't buy them or 2) supervise them while they are "playing."

 

[Nana Annie]

At first reading, I would have to agree that the mom overreacted. However, I also have to take into account that we are only hearing one side of the story. And the OP could also very well not know all the details.

There is a possibility that there has been previous problems between the "good" and the "bad" kids, ones that the OP or the OP's son may not even be aware of. Just because you are quiet and on the honor roll does not make you a "good" kid.Anybody here old enough to remember Eddie Haskell? I know - I have teen boys myself. And one of them is on the honor roll, quiet, smart, and completely polite and compliant to adults. But lately we have heard about some unsavory stuff he has been involved in. Could have blown me away when I heard about it. Last kid on earth I would suspect of that. I would have argued (and so would my son who was supposed to be his good friend) up and down that this kid wasn't capable of some of the stuff we have learned.

Not saying that this is it, but a possible scenario could be that "good" kid is jealous of OP's son's and Bad Kids friendship and has been taunting bad kid. OP and Op's son would never know about it because good kid would never let on. But kids can be sneaky these days - nasty IM's, etc.

This could be an old issue between the two families. Perhaps this incident was the last straw for the mother. Perhaps she has done the "if I catch you one more time" thing. That would explain why she was only pressing charged against one boy. Because the OP's son should be in trouble too as it was at their house with his gun.

So, maybe the mom is overreacting or maybe there are circumstances that only the two boys and their families are aware of.

 

[Geezer]

What do you expect when you let kids play with guns????? I was a boy too, but guns of ANY kind were forbidden at our house.