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Gun Ranges & Kids
  • ButterflyButterfly
    Posts: 80Member

    This one goes beyond "Toy Guns" or "Action Figures with Weapons"....

    Saw this on my local news this morning, and I'm flabbergasted.....

    http://www.wivb.com/dpps/news/offbeat/gun-range-open-for-kids-birthday-parties-ob12-jgr_4197862?ref=scroller&categoryId=21174&status=true

    WhatHowReallySHIT!  I'm fast, but not always fast enough to stop my DS5 and DS2 from doing something stupid.

    Reactions, ladies?

  • AnonUser29
    Posts: 1,169Guest
    As pro-gun as I am, and as pro-gun as we teach DD9 to be, this is the worst effin idea EVER!!!!
  • ButterflyButterfly
    Posts: 80Member
    @silentscreamer -- I couldn't agree more.  I think this idea goes waaaaaay beyond whether we're pro- or anti- gun.  For me, it's more a question of pro-want-my-kids-alive!
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,843Administrator, Moderator
    from the link provided:

    LEWISVILLE, Texas (CNN/WFAA) - A new gun range being built in Texas has set its target on kids.

    The 24-lane indoor firing range is under construction in Lewisville.

    The owner of the "Eagle Gun Range" says he wants to appeal to experts and novices, including kids. So the gun range will offer birthday parties for children.

    "The age limit is eight years old, you have to be tall enough to get above the shooting table, OK? But they're not going to be left unattended, the parents are going to be one on one or if there's not enough parents we're gong to bring in safety officers," explained Eagle Gun Range president David Prince.

    Eagle Gun Range expects to open for business sometime in the late summer or early fall.

    community-manager


  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,843Administrator, Moderator
    I'm curious as to whether the "age limit is 8 years old, and you must be xxx ft tall" will mean that children underage and under the height requirements will flat out NOT be allowed IN...or will they just not be allowed to shoot. 

    community-manager


  • ButterflyButterfly
    Posts: 80Member

    @Love ~Thanks for posting the text -- I wasn't sure how to do it.  I'd be interested to know what the age limit means too. 

    Evenso, I've found that parents at birthday parties aren't as vigilant as they could be -- too busy chatting with other parents.  If a parent wants to (and is legally able to) take their child to a gun range, I think it should be on their own time, and for that sole purpose -- not for a birthday party.  Just imagine all the kids on their sugar highs!

  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,843Administrator, Moderator
    @Butterfly, from the story:

    • the parents are going to be one on one with the children
    • if there are not enough parents, there will be safety officers

    community-manager


  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,343Member
    The gun range my brother worked/ works at he does part time just announced that they were going to do parties. At his place of work the kids will be one on one with an adult who is trained. That might not be their parent that brought them. My brother is on the list to be called in if they need more certified people. They are not "
    Aiming " ( punny) at signing up kids parties but more at older people having parties.
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • ButterflyButterfly
    Posts: 80Member
    @momofdbb -- I much prefer the idea of one-on-one with an adult who is trained.  @Love -- sorry that my comment wasn't clearer -- I read the article and am not trying to disparage any one parent.  I just think that even with one-on-one parental attention, that focus can wander.  I just personally see this as a potential tragedy in the making.  Mistakes happen, and even the most vigilant of parents have slipped up.  Move the minimum age up to 12, and I might dislike the idea less.  Trained or not, supervised or not, NRA supporter or not, I don't think that a gun belongs in the hands of an 8-year-old child.  But that's just my opinion, and mine is like a snowflake -- one-of-a-kind, and alone, doesn't make much of a difference ..... :)
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,843Administrator, Moderator
    Oh I know, I just missed that part the first time I read it three different times in disbelief LOL so I thought I would pull it out for everyone, in case they missed it too...

    community-manager


  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,343Member
    @Butterfly they are not sure if they will continue doing it because not many of the certified guys will sign up to work the parties. They don't want to deal with the kids. Lol. My brother loves kids. He doesn't have any of his own but is the best uncle. He said they won't let the whole group out on the range at the same time just a few at at time. The others would have to wait their turn. They are mainly going for older clients though. Like the bachelor party ( before drinking starts) or corprate pep rallies. That kind of thing , but would not turn down a small kids party.
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,632Member

    Let's take a bunch of young kids, get them all hopped up on sugar and adrenaline, and then hand them deadly weapons! That couldn't possibly end badly!


    Jesus H. Tap-Dancing Christ.

    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • YoMomma
    Posts: 49Member
    Are they for serious?????

    Pro-gun, here. I grew up around guns. My father was an avid sportsman & hunter. I shot guns as a young girl & I go to the range with my husband. I was taught to respect guns & to take them deadly (pun intended) seriously. In no uncertain terms, guns are a serious business.

    Parties are a time for fun. Time to let your guard down & let loose. Guns don't fit into this scenario. Bad idea all around. So...what? It'll take some poor child to get injured or die at one of these parties for them to figure out maybe it was stupid?

    Classes for kids?  Sure.  Just not "parties."  I hate the message it sends, too.  :(
    When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain. ~Mark Twain
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,786Member
    Holy moly!! This is bizarre!!!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • AnonUser33
    Posts: 743Guest

    Thats insane. Don't people think this stuff through?!

    I have no problem taking my own kids to a gun range but no way in hell I would take someone elses or let someone else take mine.

  • Twins911Twins911
    Posts: 212Member
    Worst idea EVER!!! 

    I love guns and i'm all pro-guns, but WTF are these people thinking? When you are dealing with guns, there is not SAFE environment for an 8 year old. 

    My DS just turned 15 and we had a conversation when he was about 11 about guns. He wanted to learn how to shoot and asked if I would ever take him to a shooting range. I told him that maybe when he turned 15, well he didn't forget and he asked again. I explained to him that we (DH and I) would set up a plan for gun safety first and then we would talk about the shooting range when he turned 16. I do believe that they need to know the dangers when handling guns and the proper safety, but it all depends on the maturity of the child as well. My step-DS who is also 15, is very immature and I don't think it would be a good idea to expose him to that environment yet.  

    Freaking Insane!
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,343Member
    I talked with my brother about this , he thought it was a cool idea. He does think the maturity of the kid should be taken into account though not just the age. He works at a range. He has seen 6 year olds shooting. It was a 6 Gage shotgun. It barely kicks and is a slow shot. He also has invited me to go shooting with him. He thinks I would have a blast with his ak-47. Lol his wife loves it.
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,193Member

    I'm pro gun but honestly I don't see how kids are going to enjoy hanging out with one another when they have ear protection on and they're with an adult aiming at targets.  We are a very gun friendly house, but this idea is a little too out there for me.  It's not my idea of a good time.  Parties=stress  gun safety=more stress.  The two don't mix. 

  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • GisleyandHank
    Posts: 300Member
    And how much fun will a party be if everyone's hanging over the kids' shoulders the whole time? Who would want to do this?
  • mommydeliriousmommydelirious
    Posts: 3,480Member
    I was allowed to shoot guns when I was younger, the first time I shot a 12 gauge was out in the woods (with an adult present). 
    Now add a sugar high and 20 kids running around with semi automatics and yeah,  I don't think Im so much for it.
    Photobucket
  • gamommiegamommie
    Posts: 348Member
    My son is 11 and he is a very safe gun handeler. I think this is a good idea with some tweaking. 8 years old is too young. They dont have the attention span to handle a loaded weapon at age 8. Take them to a paintball arena or laser tag. Move the age limit to 12 that way there won't be any worries about height. Also require safety officers anyway bc what if the parents that come are novices a well? And finally who is providing these weapons? I know that even though my son just turned 11 and is responsible with weapons and my 21 year old DSS is as well I don't want then using my gun. Or a bunch of kids I don't know. While this could be a good idea and a lucrative one they really need to rethink it...and talk to some parents about additional rules and regulations for safety.
  • MooseKnuckleMooseKnuckle
    Posts: 137Member
    :facepalm:
    Lewisville is just down the road from me.
    Exhole takes ds8 to range often, When he was 5, he ended up with a black eye because he shot the gun and it kicked back. Seriously? Yes. I'm sure exhole will be attempting to throw my kid a party at this place. *sigh*
    I don’t give a dead fucking bird what you think of me if you don’t know me. Unless you’re contributing to my financial status or putting food on my plate. Fuck your opinion.
  • GingersnapGingersnap
    Posts: 7,712Member
    I think a gun range party is a bad idea. Parties are usually pretty chaotic affairs. That's not the kind of atmosphere I'd want to add guns to. 

    I have enjoyed shooting practice, but it was good for calm and focus - learning how to breathe and when to *squeeze* the trigger. Better for one-on-one interactions. I bonded with my mentor. 

    If you want to get kids all jazzed up by throwing them a party, and having them shoot stuff, I suggest LAZER TAG. 
    image
  • momofeveryonemomofeveryone
    Posts: 1,784Member

    bahahahahaha!!!!!

    no no this is a great idea! even better? have the kids be moving targets! and then the kid who got a Dr kit for his last part can do the surgery! great idea!!!1

     

    (sarcasm, its a beaautiful thing :))

    we got the house!!!!! i have worked so hard for 5 years to get us in a spot to buy! isnt it cute?!?!?!?
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