Kids, guns and Hunter safety

[2rocky]

Recently had a discussion with a friend who has a son with Asperger's Syndrome. (link in case you aren't familiar. The son wants to do Airsoft guns and matches. She was more in favor of a hunter safety class. I strongly agree with her, (and I'm solidly ANTI airsoft/Paintball or any thing that makes shooting people a game.)

For those of you experienced with kids on the high functioning end of the spectrum, how do they do as Hunter Ed Students, Shooters and Hunters?

 

[1_pointer]

Being a spectrum issue, it's hard for me to determine if what I and you mean by "high functioning" are the same. That said, my youngest sees a specialist...

He's not taken Hunter's Ed as it's not required of him yet, but he will have to before next hunting season. He's a VERY good marksmen and really likes to hunt!
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr

 

[Jamen]

Before I was old enough to take hunters ED my dad was very strict on rules with guns fake or real. I had the usual cap guns, bb guns, squirt guns etc. Paintball or air soft was never allowed because like you stated above it is a game designed to shoot people. I recall one summer day it was a 100 degrees outside we had an inground pool my cousins were over swimming. We had a squirt gun fight my dad saw and had me come to the front yard as he got the snow blower out of the garage as he ran my squirt guns over and out they came like a wood chipper. Lesson learned may have been a harsh punishment but his point stuck with me to this day. For me I would be against it on the spectrum or not or til the child is of a mature age what is a mature age that is for the parent to figure out I suppose.

But to answer your question if your friend is going to allow them to do airsoft I think hunters ed would be a good place to start. It is never a bad Idea to be educated weather it all sinks in at that time or not.

 

[bobbydean]

Making it real makes it a responsibility. Strongly encourage Hunters Safety over playing with toys. You have to be serious, Playing with semi weapons makes it play and shit could happen.

You asked for people with experience with the syndrome and I do not have it.


Monitor the classes and make your best decision.

1 pointer, your kid's smile is to die for. I am an introvert and would love to be able to do that smile!!

 

[1_pointer]

1 pointer, your kid's smile is to die for. I am an introvert and would love to be able to do that smile!!

Thank you. At times he can be introverted as well. He's much more okay with doing his own thing alone, than his brother.

 

[Pondera]

Ok, I read this as "The son wants to do Airsoft guns and matches." I think to myself "all kids want to play with airsoft guns and matches"

Brings me to my point: Our house rule is nerf, air soft, .300win mag are all for targets/game animals. No exceptions. Get the kid into the hunter safety class. If you are not the mentor find one. Get that kid target shooting, small game hunting and help take his first deer. He will forget all about that fantasy war game bullshit. My mother is a retired school teacher and worked with these kids for years, all children are highly capable and will surprise most adults when given the chance and proper environment.

1_pointer gave all the proof you need.