Good

by Odin Kyle

Created on: August 10, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Unless you believe them to be possessed air guns are in no way evil, but, if they are a good thing for people or children is a slightly different discussion. If you believe that guns and the right to bear arms are bad for society then you probably won't like air guns. Air guns can be used by adults as well as children, the question of whether children should have air guns is something that should also be discussed. Air guns have legitimate uses that should not be ignored simply because some people do not like guns.

If you believe that we should not have the right to bear arms and that all guns are bad for society then you of course probably against air guns since they, in your mind, promote guns. Ignoring the second amendment issues completely even if one doesn't support gun rights one should be careful about condemning air guns. People learn most and best as children. They learn by experience and example. Air guns provide a safer means for people to learn about firearms. Even if you are against guns entirely we have professions that require their use: the military, and police force being two.

Another question that will undoubtedly come up in this debate is whether or not children should have air guns. Children should be allowed to have air guns. They are a good way to promote outdoor activity and for children to learn responsibility and firearm safety. This question only comes up because of irresponsible adults that do not have time or do not want to take the time to teach their children safety and responsibility. Consider that not many years ago children had much more responsibility and were expected to, and indeed did, behave in a civilized way. As a child I had both air guns and real guns. I was closely supervised with the real guns and could only use them with an adult. My parents would closely monitor my behaviour with the air gun and make sure that I used it responsibly. I was taught gun safety and if I failed in some way to treat the air rifle with respect not only would it be taken away my father would not take me out to target practice with the real rifle. If I ever pointed any sort of gun even a toy at any person I was immediately corrected and punished if appropriate, having this background ensured that their was zero chance of my taking a gun to school or any other such stupidity. The problem with children and guns arises more out of lack of education and availability either through carelessness or negligence of real firearms to children or young adults. As an adult I still enjoy going out and plinking cans with a BB gun it is fun and takes a great deal of skill to be a good shot with any weapon.

Air guns have legitimate uses. They can be used for entertainment and as teaching tools. Why anyone would choose to pick on air guns as a societal problem is beyond me. Far more people are killed by cars then guns but the outcry against guns comes from people who have a core belief that government will always be there to protect them. These people should ask the people that lived through Katrina if the government is always there or if they sometimes need to be able to take care of themselves.

Air guns are in now way evil. They have a great deal of value to society as a learning instrument and as entertainment They can provide younger individuals with reasons to get outside and exercise. The problem with guns in our society is not that they are dangerous we should be able to trust our fellow citizens with dangerous things like cars, knives, baseball bats, and of course guns. The real problem is the lack of parenting ability and personal responsibility that has led to children running wild with no supervision and no education. Instead of licensing guns maybe we should license parents.

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