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

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't believe your son would not have been arrested because he was not the one who shot the gun. I honestly can't tell you whether the gun is illegal or not. From what I can quickly Google on the internet, it appears to me that the City of Chicago does have an ordinance against them. I could very well be wrong - that happens alot. Or for all I know, you don't live in Chicago proper but you are in a suburb -- that isn't any of my business and I certainly don't expect you to post that here.

However, as the adults in the household where the gun is owned, you and your boyfriend have opened yourself to any lawsuits which might arise from the use of this gun. If this were my kid and house, I'd be concerned and I would definately recommend at least restricting the use of the gun to times when adults are around to supervise. JMHO.

I don't know where this Mother is headed. From what you describe I agree that she has overreacted big time. I can't tell you why --- maybe she has a different point of view of the events that have upset her.

I think that the suggestion that all the adults involved get together and try to compromise on this is excellent. It is a shame to see 14 year old boys getting hit so hard with a consequence for doing something that the adults in their lives have clearly encouraged up to this point.

 

[CathrynRose]

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.

Would this include water guns?

 

[cardaway]

Believe it or not, many people feel any kind of gun is not something that should be played with. Guns have only one purpose and I can understand people not wanting their kids to make light of that.

 

[CathrynRose]

Guns have only one purpose and I can understand people not wanting their kids to make light of that.

Would that include waterguns?

 

[Mom2be]

I'm anti guns - I hate that boy toys come with guns. Think about it all the boy toys like transformers, batman, and GI Joe come with guns. No wonder that by the time they are teenagers they think it is fine to point toy guns at each other and shoot. I'm so happy that I am having a baby girl and therefore won't have as much social interference with the gun thing.

While I think taking the matter to the police and filing assault charges against Scott is over the top - I can certainly understand the mother's feelings. Sure maybe to you she shouldn't get upset but lets look at the some facts.

A) in the summer when the boys are shooting each other I assume they all have a gun. And therefore it is at least a "fair" fight.

B) For this instance her son was unarmed.

C) It is known that Scott and Dustin are not friends - maybe she felt her child was being picked on by Scott - after all other boys were there - why would Scott choose to shoot at Dustin?

D) In the summer the kids are running and aware of the "game" they are playing - in this instance Dustin was taken by surprise and was unaware.

Scott made a mistake and now he has to pay the consequences of that mistake. Also why would you want to seperate your son from Dustin over this - his mother made these choices, not him. So you are going to further "banish" Dustin because of his mother holding another kid responsible? That makes no sense to me either.


~Amanda

 

[disneyfanz04]

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.

YUP...HATE guns...that's why no gun af ANY kind is allowed in my house. Me and my DSIL go head to head with this all the time. My kids know they are not to play with any kind of gun toy or not because the "toy" ones look so real these days sometimes you can't even tell the difference. If they are at a friends house I make sure there are no guns there or if there are that they are locked securely where a child can't "play" with them.

Just my opinion!!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Would that include waterguns?

I knew somebody a few years ago who wouldn’t allow her children to play with water guns. I thought it was odd at first; then I found out her brother and his wife had been murdered by somebody with guns. She did not like the symbolism behind guns of any kind. I myself hate guns and would never let my kid play with any authentic looking toy guns. I have no problem with water guns, but perhaps if my family had been shot to death, I would be hesitant to have them in my home too.

 

[cardaway]

Would that include waterguns?

Asked and answered.

Believe it or not, many people feel any kind of gun is not something that should be played with. Guns have only one purpose and I can understand people not wanting their kids to make light of that.

 

[CathrynRose]

Scott made a mistake and now he has to pay the consequences of that mistake. Also why would you want to seperate your son from Dustin over this - his mother made these choices, not him. So you are going to further "banish" Dustin because of his mother holding another kid responsible? That makes no sense to me either.


~Amanda

I explained why, Amanda - this woman snapped and took a hypocritical stance, towards another child. THANKFULLY not mine, but with her OVER reaction to yesterdays incident, leads me to believe it could be him the next time she blows a gasket.

Thats why.

 

[Nana Annie]

I explained why, Amanda - this woman snapped and took a hypocritical stance, towards another child. THANKFULLY not mine, but with her OVER reaction to yesterdays incident, leads me to believe it could be him the next time she blows a gasket.

Thats why.

I think it would be a good idea to ask the mother why she "blew a gasket" before making assumptions.

Is anybody else bothered by the fact that the OP started out right away labelling the kids as "a good kid" and "a bad kid?"

 

[Martha7]

I've also been surprised at the actions of the so-called "good kids." Even a kid who has previously been great, can suddenly and unexpectedly change. There was a kid at my older DS's school who was beloved by all of the Moms. He was friendly, polite, handsome, etc. He ran for Class President of the 8th grade and won by a landslide. After that, his popularity went to his head, and he completely changed! All of his former friends, (my DS included) had to stop hanging out with him because of the unfortunate change in personality. I was shocked, since I had labeled him as a "good kid" for life! I definitely agree with the previous poster who said that even good kids can do really dumb things during their teen years. So I guess my point is that we need to keep an eye on our kids' friends, and try not to assume that they have good judgement. It does sound however, as though Dustin's Mom was looking for a chance to finally see what it feels like to be the aggrieved party. You can bet that she's burning up the phone lines, reporting to everyone about what happened to her poor innocent child!

 

[CathrynRose]

I think it would be a good idea to ask the mother why she "blew a gasket" before making assumptions.

Is anybody else bothered by the fact that the OP started out right away labelling the kids as "a good kid" and "a bad kid?"

Yeah - be real bothered by it. Considering I also started out right away saying I liked both of them. And that I, myself, would have been considered a "bad kid" You must have been selective in which sentences you read?

Seriously - gimme a break.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Is anybody else bothered by the fact that the OP started out right away labelling the kids as "a good kid" and "a bad kid?"

Very much so. Whether a kid is good or bad has nothing to do with the situation. Nobody should have a gun aimed at him. I don't care if the kid is the worst trouble maker in the world. In this case, he wasn't in the wrong at all.

 

[VSL]

I think it would be a good idea to ask the mother why she "blew a gasket" before making assumptions.

Is anybody else bothered by the fact that the OP started out right away labelling the kids as "a good kid" and "a bad kid?"

 

[U2_rocks]

IMO the woman waaaayyyy over-reacted. If she allows her own son to have one of those guns and to use it (which it sounds like to me), she has no real grounds for freaking out in this instance. No-one was hurt. A plastic pellet hit her son's HAND at close range - that's not even a close shave! I might have a different view if she didn't allow him to use those guns at all, and he was never involved in the gun play - in that case she could claim "see what happens?" and try to make a case for getting it stopped (by making an example out of Scott). But she just can't claim that in this case - she allows the use, and she must accept that accidents (getting hit) come with the territory. It could just as easily happen in the reverse - and no doubt her son has hit many, many kids in the past. Even if they ARE illegal - how is that relevant to whether she SHOULD freak out if she allows her son to have one? Yes, Scott would have been technically breaking the law if the guns are illegal, but so is Dustin when he uses his. For Dustin's mom to push for prosecution, means she's very vindictive in some way.

As long as the guns are allowed by the parents, I do not see a reason for anyone to be freaking out. What I would expect is a talking to about how to safely use the guns, maybe confiscation for a period etc. But the POLICE?!! Sorry, but I find that absolutely unreal!

BTW, I do not know how I feel about toy guns that actually have the potential to hurt someone (in the case of these plastic pellets, I would just be worried about eyes). They make me uneasy, but right now they are not an issue in my house or the neighborhood. So I'm not talking from my own feelings about guns here - I am simply speaking from the perspective of parents who HAVE decided that these guns are OK.

 

[Mom2be]

I explained why, Amanda - this woman snapped and took a hypocritical stance, towards another child. THANKFULLY not mine, but with her OVER reaction to yesterdays incident, leads me to believe it could be him the next time she blows a gasket.

Thats why.

You'll have to explain to me how it is hypocritical. I've listed reasons why she might have felt the way she did DESPITE the fact that her son also owns one of these guns.

~Amanda

 

[CathrynRose]

Very much so. Whether a kid is good or bad has nothing to do with the situation. Nobody should have a gun aimed at him. I don't care if the kid is the worst trouble maker in the world. In this case, he wasn't in the wrong at all.

See - this is where I disagree.

I feel she has taken to bringing down another child - which by the way IS a GOOD KID, to somehow in her mind - take some of the constant heat of her child - which by the way IS a TROUBLEMAKER!

It SHOULD make a difference what your character is - in regards to punishment. Considering Scott did NOT have a police record up until yesterday and Dustin did - should make a HUGE difference. And I cannot beleive that this mother found it necessary to press charges against a kid who IS GOOD!!! When, all the time, she's got her own issues with her child she should be dealing with. Instead of devoting energy to THAT she's devoting energy to bringing down a CHILD - again, GOOD CHILD!

 

[Mom2be]

See - this is where I disagree.

I feel she has taken to bringing down another child - which by the way IS a GOOD KID, to somehow in her mind - take some of the constant heat of her child - which by the way IS a TROUBLEMAKER!

It SHOULD make a difference what your character is - in regards to punishment. Considering Scott did NOT have a police record up until yesterday and Dustin did - should make a HUGE difference. And I cannot beleive that this mother found it necessary to press charges against a kid who IS GOOD!!! When, all the time, she's got her own issues with her child she should be dealing with. Instead of devoting energy to THAT she's devoting energy to bringing down a CHILD - again, GOOD CHILD!

This good kid still shot an unarmed kid. Just because a kid is good doesn't mean they are not prone to moments of stupidity. For the action to be justified by "Well he's a good kid" would be unwise because it does not teach responsibility for actions. It's like me saying - but I always pay my taxes on time when I get pulled over for a speeding and get a ticket.

~Amanda

 

[CathrynRose]

This good kid still shot an unarmed kid. Just because a kid is good doesn't mean they are not prone to moments of stupidity. For the action to be justified by "Well he's a good kid" would be unwise because it does not teach responsibility for actions. It's like me saying - but I always pay my taxes on time when I get pulled over for a speeding and get a ticket.

~Amanda

Amanda - please. Apparently "moments of stupidity" are grounds for arrest??

Good luck Mom2Be. We'll see what tune you'll be singing in 15 years.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Dustin's mom over-reacted. Especially if her son owns one of these "airsoft" guns himself. I think she was jumping on the opportunity to label her son as the "victim" instead of the other way around.

With that said, I am pro-gun, and I would find it unsettling that boys are running around the neighborhood shooting each other with these guns, real or not. I don't care if it's shooting pellets or cotton balls, guns of all kind should be treated seriously and with respect, not to aim at each other. Just because "all the boys" do it, doesn't make it acceptable. It will be all fun and games until one of them loses an eye.