If you enjoy owning and shooting guns and you have children, it's probably safe to assume that you will want to pass on your hobby to your offspring at some point. While you may want to wait until your child is an adult, there are some benefits that your teen can gain if you choose to introduce them to firearms a bit earlier. Here are three reasons why you might want to buy your teenager his or her first gun.
Guns Teach Responsibility
The vast majority of gun owners know that guns are something that should be treated with the utmost respect. You were probably taught all about gun safety before you ever held one for the first time and now you can pass on the same lessons to your teen. A gun is a potentially dangerous device, but handling it will teach your teen how to be responsible and maintain discipline, and those are attributes that can help them in multiple other aspects of life.
Guns Can Make You Feel Confident
Some people are scared of guns, but there's nothing to be afraid of if you know what you are doing. Being able to take a powerful weapon in your hands and know that you are in complete control is a great feeling that can dramatically improve your self-confidence. Once your teen knows how to shoot, they will know how to do something that many of their peers likely do not, and that should make them feel good about themselves.
Guns Can Make You Feel Safe
If you have a daughter who is starting to grow up, you are likely interested in giving her the tools she needs to defend herself. Knowing how to shoot a gun isn't just about self-confidence it is an actual skill she could use to defend herself if something bad happens. If, for example, there is a home break-in while your teen is there but you are still at work, your teen may be able to defend herself. While teaching your teenage daughter how to protect herself is a common reason some gun owners buy their kids a gun, the same self-defense logic applies to your teenage son as well, of course.
If you think your teen is mature enough to handle it, there's no reason to wait to get them their first gun. You may have to register the gun in your own name based on the laws for firearm sales in your state and the age of your child, but you can let your child know that the gun is being purchased so they can learn how to shoot. Contact a local firearms vendor today for more information.