| BB guns make excellent first guns for your children. If | | | | guns. Do not allow them to remove any colored |
| you plan on taking your child hunting, you most certainly | | | | markings. It is possible for policemen and others to |
| do not want to start him or her out with any other | | | | mistake a BB gun for a real gun if markings are |
| "real" gun. First, teach your children how to properly | | | | removed. |
| use BB guns. | | | | · Be sure that your child wears eye protection |
| The key to teaching your children to use BB guns is to | | | | when shooting a BB gun. These guns can cause eye |
| make sure that they understand that these guns are | | | | injuries, especially because the BBs often ricochet. |
| not toys! There are two reasons for this: one, you | | | | · Try out the BB gun before giving it to your child. |
| want them to know how to properly handle a "real" | | | | Make sure that the firing sound is not overly loud. You |
| gun when they get one, and using BB guns is great | | | | do not want to damage the hearing of your child! Give |
| practice. Two, BB guns really are not toys. They can | | | | your child hearing protection! |
| cause injuries and even fatalities. | | | | · Be sure that your child knows to treat all BB |
| If you do decide to give your children BB guns, there | | | | guns as though they are real guns. |
| are some things that you need to be aware of. There | | | | These are just a few safety rules related to BB guns. |
| are many people that who do not agree with the use | | | | There are, of course, many more. Make sure that you |
| of BB guns, but this is generally when they are | | | | go over general gun safety with your child before (not |
| misused. Here are some things that you should | | | | after) you give him or her a BB gun. |
| consider: | | | | Also, you can check with your local NRA chapter or |
| · The Consumer Products Safety Commission | | | | other gun groups and see if they offer any courses in |
| (CPSC) suggests that only kids 16 years of age or | | | | gun safety. They can create a fun and safe |
| older be allowed to use BB guns. The laws vary from | | | | environment for your child to learn all about guns and |
| state to state. | | | | BB guns. |
| · Some say that playing with "toy" guns, like BB | | | | BB guns can be fun and useful, as long as they are |
| guns, might make it more likely that your child will | | | | used properly. Be sure that the experience that your |
| mistake a real gun for a toy. Be sure to clearly | | | | child has with a BB gun is a good one. He or she may |
| establish the difference! | | | | gripe about having to learn about gun safety, but in the |
| · For your children, buy only brightly colored BB | | | | end, you will be thanked! |