Trip to the firing range

[BrilloPad]

Birmingham school trip to firing range criticised - BBC News

Was this a good or bad thing?

[vwdan]

Bit young for it, I think - and very naive to not consider the backlash of having a photo like that!

Probably not a brilliant decision, overall, the more I think about it. Kids don't really understand the nuances of killing to save life. At that age they're still going to be learning about the overall concept of Police (and other emergency services). I'd leave the detailed introduction to public order and armed policing for a few years, personally.

[BrilloPad]

Bit young for it, I think - and very naive to not consider the backlash of having a photo like that!

Probably not a brilliant decision, overall, the more I think about it. Kids don't really understand the nuances of killing to save life.

However they do like guns?

[vwdan]

However they do like guns?

So? Mine likes eating grass, but I still don't let him!

[BrilloPad]

So? Mine likes eating grass, but I still don't let him!

Elder son went clay pigeon shooting aged 10. Baby bp 10 this year and wants to do the same.

Those clay pigeons are a menace and must be culled....

[vwdan]

Elder son went clay pigeon shooting aged 10. Baby bp 10 this year and wants to do the same.

Those clay pigeons are a menace and must be culled....

So, firstly - I don't see clay pigeon shooting as the same. That's a sport, the same as target shooting. What was demonstrated here, though, was the concept of a pistol as a self defence weapon - I think that's a bit of different game, personally.

Plus, these kids were what, 7? Like I say, I just think a bit young and I must admit it doesn't sit right with me.

I don't think guns are evil - I've been shooting plenty of times, including at military ranges with proper rifles and those enemy style targets), but there's a fine line. Interestingly, even when I was a teen shooting rifles with cadets (So, what, 15 years or so ago) there was an element of care in what photos were taken and what was encouraged and discouraged. Officially, you'd only ever see prone position shooting - not more tactical positions, such as standing or on a knee. Likewise, pistols weren't really allowed (Not sure if that was a full on ban, but I got to shoot pistols once and it was treated as a hush hush exercise)

[northernladyuk]

I remember being taken mullet shooting aged 14. The fact that it was illegal made it even more fun.

[MarillionFan]

Whats wrong with air guns?

[vetran]

So? Mine likes eating grass, but I still don't let him!

Didn't know you were AssSnob's dad.

[OwlHoot]

So? Mine likes eating grass, but I still don't let him!

You should do. It'll help him cough up furballs. Or am I thinking of something else?