Children under 10 licensed to use shotguns, BBC learns

[alan108]

Well spotted Sandgroper.

:)

I'll second that, well done.

[ovenpaa]

I am not convinced it is necessary regardless of the wise words of BASC :(

[Robin128]

Why not Ovenpaa...is it the thought of a strip of a lad weilding a 30" O/U 12G?

[ovenpaa]

Why not Ovenpaa...is it the thought of a strip of a lad weilding a 30" O/U 12G?

It is mental capacity as much as physical Rob.

[Chuck]

So at what age does mental capacity sudenly kick in then??

As long as they are TAUGHT and taught properly what is the issue. Jeezuz we NEED young shooters, no wonder the sport in the UK is on its last legs with that attitude. Big difference from the USA where the NRA has numerous programmes for youngsters. They LEARN a lot when shooting, like respect, DISCIPLINE etc etc, something that a sh1t load of NON shooting kids could do with learning.

[Robin128]

They can't shoot without being supervised. I'm sure you have seen them being coached on clay and pigeon shoots...probably with a 4 10 rather than a 12G.

Perhaps the small national number is a function of responsible adults not thinking they are worth the risk?

Speaking personally, I have come across little kids shooting 4 10s on clay shoots and the level of supervision and young shooter's competence/safety has always left me impressed...as opposed to the "Oh s***, watch yourself Rob I normally think initially.

:)

[Chuck]

This paranoid attitude is why shooting is so crud here compared to other countries. We have the typical brit attitude of being tough on fun and the causes of fun. Everything in this place has to have a downside for some reason. No one can see something like aforementioned kid shooting and think, "good for him, he's learning yopung and will be a safe shot," Nope we have to decry it, it's a national pastime in the UK- we LOVE to destroy anything remotely good. No matter who or what it is. look at "celebrities, say in sport or entertainment. We build them up with incessant hype and then one day, someone says NO, they are yesterdays flavour and the media suddenly turns on them.

This country is so depressed that we cannot see the good in anything.

Speaking personally, I have come across little kids shooting 4 10s on clay shoots and the level of supervision and young shooter's competence/safety has always left me impressed...as opposed to the "Oh s***, watch yourself Rob I normally think initially.

See what I mean.

Try and see the good side of what is happeing cos these KIDS are the last hopes of shooting in the UK!

[Christel]

I am all for teaching kids young. To have kids shoot under supervision as well.

Licensed on the other hand, why that young?
7-8 years old. The kid will not even have a clue what a license is/stands for/implicates.

If I am understanding it correctly then what BASC is saying is not the law, it is a recommendation.
Very likely aimed at kids on farms, to go bunny bashing.

The reaction to the licensing is people getting up in arms about kids that young having a license. That hurts the reputation of our sport.

If the licensing is being done to promote the sport then I am afraid it is backfiring.
By all means take out an insurance so the kid is insured if he/she does some damage.

There are many things we cannot do in this society until we are of a certain age, same rule should apply to shooting.

[Chuck]

There are many things we cannot do in this society until we are of a certain age, same rule should apply to shooting.

Yes but on private land that sort of stops doesn't it. Like kids on land driving cars and bikes....age is not the factor, kids are way more advanced these days.

Licences, ahhhh, the Brits and control, they cannot live without someone somewhere nannying them or controlling their actions and making decisions for them. A licence for a KID on private land or shooting ground is just stupid. The fact that a kid cannot buy a firearm or own one until a certain age sort of cancels the need for him to have a licence does it not... a licence for licence sake is once again needless involvement of officialdom. I am sure there is enough in law to cover this as it is...

[Robin128]

Look Christel... :) ...it makes no difference as to whether the kid is licensed or not...they still can't shoot un-supervised...end of.

There are probably a few huge estates where judges shoot and kids' parents are just covering their arses to be on the right side of the law.

They still have to be supervised...they choose to be on a database...it's honesty.