AllieBaba
Rookie
- Oct 2, 2007
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- Banned
- #21
How do you know your 5 and 6 year olds can't handle guns responsibly?
This is what Jean Liedloff had to say about the weapon mastery of young children in this indigenous society in her book, The Continuum Concept.
"The boys, from the age of about 18 months, practiced archery with sharp arrows, some enthusiasts carrying their bow and arrows about most of their waking hours, Shooting was not confined to designated places, nor were any 'safety rules' in effect. In my two and a half years there, I saw only one arrow wound."
For what reason can a similar approach not be adopted in our own society? I also think it might help reduce the physical abuse of children. I don't know whether the physical abuse of children has increased in recent times, though I do believe that teaching children self-defense techniques and weapon mastery early in life can contribute to their ability to resist physical punishment. As a colleague of mine said, "A father might not be so willing to strike his eight year old son when said eight year old can pick a two-by-four off the ground and smash his head open with it."
I know they can't handle them responsibly for the same reason I know they can't be trusted around horses. They're impulsive, fearless, and often disobedient.
I had guns in the house with my first two kids, from the time they were born. I had them in my house when I was growing up. But my two youngest are different kids, and have no compunctions about climbing up into closets, unlocking things they can unlock, cutting electric cords, running up behind horses they don't know, grabbing strange dogs by the ears, running into the street, etc.
They're just different kids.
They have shot guns. Their older brothers have taken them out and let them shoot, and they have shot in the NRA van with the pellet gun/target set up.
But no, I don't keep guns in my home at this point. I feel safer without them. The kids are just too rambunctious right now.