So today my column on buying my daughter, who’s 5 years old, her first hand gun runs. Here’s a preview.
My little girl is growing up. That very special change is coming in her life. She is about to blossom into a new stage of maturity. As a father, I have to face facts.
She’s 5 now; it’s time to buy her first gun.
I actually picked out her first rifle back when she was just 3. It’s a Remington .22-caliber rifle, just like I had when I was her age.
Except hers is pink. And it has a Hello Kitty emblem inked on its pink butt. (Just like her mom.)
That one awaits her being an age when she can handle it. I’m thinking 8, like I was.
No, her “first gun” that she’ll get to keep will be a plastic BB-firing Airsoft replica of a hand gun. Preferably an H&K replica, because when she’s old enough, that’s probably what she’ll find in all the little fast-access gun safes that may be stashed around the house. Near all points of entry and common seating areas. (You never know if a burglar will clear the string of Claymore mines out front.)
Thanks for posting the image. I read the DMN first and thought you were kidding about the Hello Kitty gun
Mr. Garrison,
As an NRA life member, TSRA life member, and ex competitive Hi-Power shooter, I thank you for your article.
It’s a shame that in this society the gun has become such a polarizing entity that it has become political.
In the past, liberals as well as conservatives were gun owners, and shooting enthusiasts. Somehow, that bond was lost, and I feel the result is a block in communication between ideologies that hurts everyone. I’m a somewhat to the right conservative.
However, there are many ideas the Democratic party urges that I agree with. The problem is that for me, gun control is a “deal breaker”. There is a reason that the right to bear arms is the second amendment.
You get it sir, and even though you felt the need to insert some sarcasm in your column, I applaud you courage in saying out loud what many “progressive” people believe, but are afraid to say.
Thank you again, Mike Britton
Mr. Garrison,
Thank you for a great article about buying a gun for your 5 year old daughter. Positive articles about guns and kids are so rare I first thought it was a spoof. It is great that you, her dad is bringing up your daughter to learn about and respect guns. It’s the right age to begin.
I am a Life member of the NRA. My first gun was a .22 single shot Stevens. It was cherished. I cleaned it, oiled it rubbed the wood with furniture polish and shot it often. After saving my money for a long time, I walked into the hardware store and the clerk showed me the gun which I held with great respect. There was just enough money for the gun and a box of cartridges. What excitement to be the owner! The BB gun was relegated to the closet, and my mother kept it along with my many toy cap guns until I graduated from college.
I eventually bought a Browning Sweet Sixteen shotgun. an 03 Springfield, other shotguns and handguns.
Thanks for a great article. Harold Walker
Where have you been all my Dallas life!! I haven’t seen such common sense writing in 50 years! I don’t read Dallas Magazine because of the liberal attitude there but you have shown me the error of my ways! For your further edification, I taught all three of my kids how to shoot. Pistol, rifle, and shotgun. My daughter denies her kids the privledge of having guns and in order to have access to the kids I limit my gun teaching to them. My eldest son finds gun ownership too expensive. My youngest son finds gun ownership too much responsibility for him. But, any one of them can and have picked up a firearm and demonstrated the ability to use it.
I am a retired DPD officer and I thank you for your thoughts. 972-962-2983
Thanks for a great article. I can’t believe the DMN published it, and I can’t believe D Magazine hasn’t fired you! I quit reading D years ago because of their bias against guns. Maybe they are seeing the light!
I have told people for years that this is how most of my generation was raised, and this is how I taught my daughters. Both shoot, one hunts, one doesn’t, and both can take care of themselves if they have to. I, too, used the left out gun to test them. They knew that if they asked, I’d let them handle the guns or go shooting, so the forbidden fruit bit just didn’t happen.
I hope that they felt the same sense of growing up when I first trusted them to take the rifle to the range by themselves. For me, that was a definite step to being considered an adult and a citizen.
Thanks for telling this story so well.
Great work. The article reminded me that I still have my Daisy Model 1894 bb gun, a prized possession for over 40 years.
The Dallas Safari Club and the Dallas Ecological Foundation have developed and sponsor a course offered (currently) in over 40 area public schools. The course, taught by teachers who have obtained outdoor education certification, offers instruction on various outdoor subjects, and gun safety is emphasized constantly at the semi-annual Shooting, Archery, Field Excellence Trials for Youth events put on by volunteers from the DSC and the DEF. The course is expanding to more and more middle and high schools every year. They are able to reach some of those kids who don’t have the family history and experience that you have.
We need more parents to follow your lead. Not all of my kids will choose to own guns. But they will know how to handle a gun responsibly, for their sake and the safety of others.
Thanks again for a great article.
Richard C.
I agree with the others about what a great article you have written. It’s really refreshing to see such common sense about gun ownership and the guns themselves.
However, I was surprised to see the Kalishnikitty AK-47pictured rather than the Remington .22 that I had expected. Does that mean that you will also be getting her one of those “evil” rifles as well? They do come in .22 caliber.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7296/1489/400/Kalashnikitty.jpg
Thanks again on a great article. I have twin girls that are not yet 3, but they will be getting the same kind of education. I only wish other parents did this with their kids.