Airsofting Parents
 

This topic is a little different than a lot of the other posts I have seen written by kids worried about how their parents will react to them having airsoft guns and military gear. I am the father of a 2 year old girl and am wondering if having all this equipment will have a negative influence on my child. I am new to the sport and have not purchased anything yet because I want to make sure that I can participate responsibly.

I figure that teaching her that these are not toys and that she should never play with them is the obvious route (Which shouldn't be a problem because I plan on locking storing all my equipment in a room that she will not have access to). But at some point she will be old enough to realize what I am doing. A sport where we point real looking guns at each other with the intent of hitting each other can be the wrong message for little ones.

I guess my question is for you other parents out there. What are some of your experiences talking about the sport with your kids, and what were their reactions?

Thanks everyone.

The best way is to talk to your kid about it. Teach her about it, what it's like and compared to the real thing.

If you keep her in the dark, that will spark her interest some day and than she will try to make up here own mind and talk about it to other who might not come to the right conclusion.


If you dedramatise the sports and it's image, it won't do anything wrong to your kid. They are not stupid, they can understand. You just have to make the aprorpiate comparisions for their age and level of understandment.

ive got 2 kids; a son 4 and a daughter 2. neither have seen any of my guns yet. i have them locked away. i guess i will show them someday, but as for when would be good i dont know. i am interested to hear some responses too. my gear and stuff is no big deal because i already have a couple woodland outfits for my son, he just thinks its cool to wear pants like dad's.

Even when my friends find out about my airsoft gear, they thought I'm some sort of war freak.

But yeah, took a little explaining for them to understand the concept of airsoft and what it's all about. For kids, I would imagine it's the same deal but obviously explained to them in the proper level.

I totally agree with the comments of Fox, adding that as a parent technobo, YOU are going to be the best teacher your kids will ever have.

In growing up in a country where the outdoor activites of many was a way of life, education was the key especially in regards to weapons/firearms and their use regardless whether they were just an air rifle or a full on semi auto military weapon. That was passed along thru the generations that follow.

Education is the key, talking to them on a level that they understand, hopefully taking away that "curosity factor" they may have to go looking on their own will provide them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions in the future.

In regard to airsoft, at what age do you start to educate them??...good question, that is what makes a good parent, knowing when to start.

Cheers!!

It is always best to be straight forward and let them know it is not a toy and have trigger locks you don't want her to loose a eye, but straight up talk to her about it, let her know that it is a sport and helps teach about team work, and keeps you health to live longer

If the children are that young (less than 5), I would not even let them see or know about weapons yet. Even toy guns.

They would stay locked away like the real versions, as they should, until you judge the child is old enough to know about such things. At two, that's pushing it a lot.

The other thing to consider... if the kid then insists on playing, what would you tell them anyway? Wait until you are 16? Sorry, children are not that patient. We see that every day even here.

For some things, ignorance is bliss. When the kids reach around 10-12, you can start them off with some safe guns. By then they will have better coordination too, and will understand the concepts of safety a lot better.

I think a good reality check would be to ask yourself if you'd be ok to take the kid to a real gun range under supervision. If the answer is no, then they are not ready for airsoft either.

I think one has to consider the actual development of a child and their ability to understand what a gun actually is and the difference between an airsoft gun and a real gun. Developmentally, a child up to about ages 6-8 does not understand the concept of the permanance of life and death. To them, life is like a Road Runner cartoon. Wiley coyote gets flattened by a truck and then pops up again. Life and death is interchangable. Clearly this would be part of my explanation.

In the same line of thought, my concern is not so much my child seeing my airsoft but seeing my airsoft rifle and then seeing almost exactly the same weapon on TV in movies, TV shows or the news. They see death being caused by a weapon, the same as daddy has at home. Therefore, there is the possibility of confusion and possibly the generation of fear, even mortal fear. If the child is aware of your airsoft rifle, then at some point there has to be a simple discussion with the child on exactly what the airsoft rifle or handgun is and the difference between them and real guns your child may see on TV or at a movie. The real danger is not the information you give your child, but the information they receive, uncensored from the idiot box.

With the Baby Boom Generation, following WW11, toy guns were everywhere. Ask your father about "Johnny 7" rifle, or "Mighty Moe". Part of growing up in the suburbs was to play war games. We knew the difference between the toys we played with and weapons our fathers carried in WW11 and Korea. I did Civil War re-enacting for 14 years. My children grew up around muskets, swords, bayonets, cannons from age of 3 & 5. They understood. I was always careful and respectful with weapons around them. They were at re-enactments and saw huge battles fought with explosions, cannons going off, thousands of muskets being fired. Men dropping like flies. Far more violent than airsoft. They understood and knew the difference.

So, whats the answer. Just use good sense. Treat the airsoft rifle with respect. Help them understand the difference between an airsoft gun and real ones. Teach them in simple terms they can understand. Recognize learning opportunities when they arise. I think by asking the questions that you have already asked shows you're responsible. A good first step. Congratulations.

Stonewall

"Let us cross the river and sit beneath the shade of the trees on the other side."

I dont have kids, but I have been shooting guns since I have been 7. I lived in a small town and father is x military, he has tought me the respect of guns. And I have understood that before I ever shoot my first .22 rifle at the age of 7. He tought me how to be safe with a gun and the functions of the gun, but the first thing I got to learn was the destruction a gun will do.[this in my opinion is the most important thing] And at the age of 7 he shoot my dog infront of me after the dog jumped out of the back of the truck at highway speed.[Not that he is sick and twisted it was best for the dog and I happened to be there, I didnt take it to easy but it is a lesson in life you have to learn about] The next day he started to explain guns to me and I went shooting not to long after that. I guess I am saying is it is how you bring them up around guns, the more education they have about them the better, they can decide if they want to use them or not. You are going to talk to them about sex,drugs and guns arnt you?

well i've been interested in guns for most of my life i dont now why but but when i first saw a war movie when i was like 6-7 i've been into guns and video games and shit like that did not help curb my interest either.

but it was made PAINFULLY clear that guns are not to be joked with. so as i grow up i was told the difference between real guns and fake guns and that playing with toy guns is ok as long as its safe and stuff like lazer tag was a great way to learn about about how guns can be fun and safe.

Did any one look at this from the child's point of view? being raised how I was. (military brat) My father never actually taught me real gun safety. in place i got the lesson of "never point a gun at a target you dont intend to hit", and "the best way to avoid shooting your self in the foot is to turn the safety on". Having handled an assault rifle at a young age, well lets just say it was demoralising. If i had to pick the age that I learned how to use a gun, knowing what I know, I would say 16. 14 to learn that my old man kept them in the house.

My suggestion to you is get a nice hockey bag big one. Take up the sport hockey in her eyes and dont let her see whats really in that room till shes 15.(I say hockey bag cause then you put rifle cases in hockey bag at least until you get to the car.)

as for why I learned to use an assault rifle before I could barely hold it. I wish I knew the only one whom knows is my old man.

Guys... take note the kid is TWO years old. I'm sorry but there is no safe gun or weapon for a baby.

i agree ,

Both my Kids are aware of my airsoft toys , my son is 8 , daughter is 6 .

but on the safety side of things for a 2 year old the toys should be kept out of sight , till such time as they know the right from wrong .
then when you feel the time is right you can introduce them into their life ,

i have been airsofting for 2 years now , so my kids were aware from the start and very curious ,but over time i was able to teach them the value of safety (do's & don'ts) and now spend time with them target shooting in the back garden , i have bought my son a tm boys M4 which he loves to use for target practise with me or my wife ,and all my daughter wants to know "who going to clean the mess up ".

both my kids are very safety aware now , but it took time and alot of patience .plus it gets us involved as a family and a little healthy competition .

Niether have a toygun phobia or are nuts about them , they see them as a family activity .That have to be used responsably.

Thx Ray

You have no doubt forgotton the Johhny seven
http://www.sterlingtimes.org/politically_incorrect8.htm
I must be older then you 8)

You have no doubt forgotton the "Johhny seven"
http://www.sterlingtimes.org/politically_incorrect8.htm
I must be older then you 8)
I have 3 kids. Daughter is 14 and 2 sons 19 & 21. The sons got involved because I forced them to. It was easier to buy camo then try and build the armor suits in Warhammer 40K. I also ended up getting my Nephew involved.
Gun safety? okay maybe there have been a few "friendly fire" accidents in the house. Still fewer than the americans VS canadians.

Great comments so far guys. I am lucky to have such a large community to speak with. Keep it coming!

Me and my bother grew up playing with replica toy guns for as long as I can remember.
Back in the old days their were this endless supply of 'real looking ' toy guns every where we go. You name it I have seen it...that was back where we were kids growing up in south East Asia. I would say those were the grandfather period of what airsoft is today. Anything from WWII to Viet Nam era weapons and all kind of hand guns.
Come to think of it...I do think it did have some effect on us as we grow up. Thank god every thing turns out alright. We have gone to different directions, me into airsoft and my bother is a gun collector living in the States. And he actually goes to work every day with an S&W and an armored vest all paid for by his employer.

Definetly wait until your child is over 5 years old (like greylocks said), think of the Airsoft and Real armament discussion as "the birds and the bee's". Your child see's you as their role model, if that role model almost literally prints into their head the rules of gun safety and how you responsibly play a game, im sure you won't have problems in the future.

I had one of those. But not when I was 2.

Birds and the bees is right. I seen and man Handel my first real gun at age 6 not one of my most happy child hood memories. Needless to say even tho they are airsoft guns they look real. she learns what they are at 5 shes going to say to mommy every time daddy goes airsofting "Is daddy going fighting again." Toy guns with those orange things like cap guns that dont remotely look like real. That's a different story but any gun that is relatively real, dont let her see them till shes well old. like learning sex ed in school or like high school, or even better old enough to play.

Guns isn't some thing you teach your 5 year old. This coming from a guy who regrets how he was raised. The son of a man whom really did sleep with a real 45 automatic(dont know what one exactly assuming m1911)under his pillow at night. Hell I knew how to kill a man with a hand gun by age 10. But if I Had never touched that gun when i was 6. O ignorance is fucking bliss.

The fact still remains around kids airsoft and real steal will always be the same. Until they have seen first hand that you cant kill some one with airsoft. And that killing is wrong. Something I didn't get to learn until too late. My dad was my hero till I was 17. In some respects he still but not in the way that he ustobe. One way to look at it was wile most kids were watching GI Joe on TV I was being raised by GI Joe.

Please learn from my experience as a child whom learned about guns too early. In movies and games its different from the moment you see your old man holding one. Clearly I was raised wrong. Do me a favor man do right by my old mans mistakes.

Not even one of my more closer friends now. Knew that I held real guns before so you can tell how this issue makes me feel. I have no friends from my past any more just the here and now.

So is it that you regret handling guns at an early age, and not having your dad tell you that killing is bad? Because I agree that could cause some problems. Please tell me if I interpreted this wrong.

Everything I've seen up to now says that kids learn to tell the difference between right and wrong at around age 6. I mean really start to understand the difference and reasoning out why it's wrong, not just "Daddy doesn't like it when I pull the dog's tail".

I would say start teaching kids about firearm safety at around age 8. By that point, they should be capable of understanding why real guns hurt people. As morbid as it is to say, it would almost be best if they started learning about firearm safety soon after a death in the family. They would have an understanding of death and how final it is.

I grew up around toy guns and played war all the time. I also had some friends with air rifles and their parents had hunting rifles. At around 8 I started learning about firearm safety. I was not allowed to shoot a gun for almost 2 years after that, but I knew enough not to pull the trigger, to check the safety and tell a responsible adult about an unattended rifle lying around.

Then again, what do I know about kids. I'm the youngest in my family and I don't have any of my own.

The longer you wait the better, imagine telling her at 13, when all she will be thinking about is clothes, boys and how to dress etc etc. You would sit there and explain to her how you go airsofting and problably get into big details while she would be thinking "Whatever dad, your just a geek" or something.

Telling any young child about this sport would either invoke confusion or unwanted attention. Its best just to wait until you gauge that she is mature enough to understand that its just a game.

You got it almost right. But ya got the real basic of it. With out further knowledge of my child hood, you couldn't have known that there was a point when i was actually taught that shooting humans was OK. How ever it was never defined further. i learned later that killing another human in some cases was wrong. like when i was 15. Here's a kid 12 years old could easily take a military mp5 and m4 as well as a mk23 to school and blow every one away including cops. And he didn't know killing was wrong. I was that 12 year old at the age of Columbine I could have made them look like a walk in the park. As for what stopped me from doing so. I felt they didn't deserve a fate so little of hardship I just made there lives hell. The bully's that is.

Thanks for the comments guys.

There is a difference in teaching a kid about shooting and teaching a kid that killing people is ok. I don't think that has anything to do with the original post. The point is propper handling of a firearm not teaching how to use it recklessly. I learned about firearms at the age of four. It wasn't pushed on me. I was just able to experience it. Some may say that is too young and it may be. You have to know your own kid's learning curve. I don't feel tainted for knowing how to handle one so early in life. I think that you have some other experiences that have added to your issue with learning about it while young. I grew up knowing that firearms could hurt people and as such should be handled safely and I don't ever recall anyone having to tell me how dangerous they could be. It was obvious what damage they could do.

i am a 19 year old airsoft player and i purchased my first airsoft gun when i was 15 accompanied by my mother (KSC G18c).
My mother only knew that i have the guns but not actually playing airsoft, and my dad had no idea that i even had these toys until i was 16 when i was about to move out.
My mother used airsoft gears and guns as rewards for me to participate extra-curriculum
activities to a certain extent. Before i moved out after i turned 16, i used to give out excuses to not go to the church on sunday and play airsoft instead....
My dad found out about the guns i had when i was moving out, but he was surprised instead of angry...he even played with them in the backyard shooting cans a couple times. He showed more anger toward me not going to the church than me owning replica firearms.
This was my parents attitude toward me playing airsoft when i was younger. Quite a lousy example i must say....lol

I think many of you have not read the first post; we're talking about a 2-year old kid, not a teenager.

The problem with kids, greylocks, is that they usually grow up. And I sure hope his will be teenager one day.

Are you sure? I mean, a derringer is kind of small :P

Seriously though, I agree with Greylocks, and most of the other posters here. A child doesn't need to see airsoft guns (or real guns, for that matter) until he is old enough to recognize what they are and understand what you tell them about it. IMHO that's not before they are 14, but I'm not a parent so I can't say for sure.