mnealtx 0 #26 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteTalk to Congress about it Oh, I am sorry, I thought that american citizens voted for members of congress? I would think that if society had an issue with the drinking age, they would vote for people willing to change that. Since that has never even remotely been on the horizon, I would have to assume that the american society does not think an 18 year old is mature enough to have a beer. Hence, I still question why one would then think that that same 18 year old would be mature enough to own a firearm? Doesn't QUITE work that way, once something is already law. It's a lot harder to get a bullshit law struck from the books than it is to prevent it in the first place.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #27 January 23, 2007 Sp, there has been quite a bit of talk about it then in the US? Something to indicate that society does think 18 year olds are mature enough to handle a beer? Or, does lowering the drinking age rarely get mentioned? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #28 January 23, 2007 QuoteSp, there has been quite a bit of talk about it then in the US? Something to indicate that society does think 18 year olds are mature enough to handle a beer? Or, does lowering the drinking age rarely get mentioned? It rarely get mentioned due to it being tied to Federal funding for various things - that whole 'bread and circuses' bit.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #29 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteTalk to Congress about it Oh, I am sorry, I thought that american citizens voted for members of congress? I would think that if society had an issue with the drinking age, they would vote for people willing to change that. Since that has never even remotely been on the horizon, I would have to assume that the american society does not think an 18 year old is mature enough to have a beer. Hence, I still question why one would then think that that same 18 year old would be mature enough to own a firearm? You don't understand the semi-recent history of the drinking age in the US. In many (not all) of the states in the US (each of the 50 states has its own individual alcohol laws), the drinking age was reduced to from 21 to 18 in the 1970's, around the same time as the age of majority was reduced from 21 to 18. But in the past 15 years or so, as drunk-driving has become a hot issue in the US, and as statistics were showing the rate of drunk-driving accidents among 18 to 21 drivers was higher in the states with the lower drinking age, the states responded to political pressure by returning the drinking age back to 21. The focus really was not on "maturity" to drink, as much as it was a correlation (real or imagined) to drunk-driving accidents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #30 January 23, 2007 QuoteThe focus really was not on "maturity" to drink, as much as it was a correlation (real or imagined) to drunk-driving accidents. To me that indicates that those in that age group are deemed not to have the maturity to handle the responsibility of alcohol. Why would they be mature enough to handle the responsibility of a firearm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #31 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteThe focus really was not on "maturity" to drink, as much as it was a correlation (real or imagined) to drunk-driving accidents. To me that indicates that those in that age group are deemed not to have the maturity to handle the responsibility of alcohol. Why would they be mature enough to handle the responsibility of a firearm? Ask that of all the soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam that enlisted under the age of 18. On the same note - why should we trust anyone under the age of 21 behind the wheel of a car? Cars kill many more people per year than guns do...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craddock 0 #32 January 23, 2007 QuoteHence, I still question why one would then think that that same 18 year old would be mature enough to own a firearm? I don't see the correlation? There is no minimum age for shotgun and rifle ownership in the US(Federal anyway) My Brother in Law was giving a new 300 Ultra Short Mag when he passed hunter safety at 11. He put this in his safe with his other firearms, including semi-auto shotguns. My Friend's son just shot his first Whitetail at six. His older brother at 10 has shot a couple deer a year for the last several as well as coyotes and turkeys. All this with his very own rifle.(and his dads shotgun). I bought a brand new semi-auto to give my child when he is old enough. While I see no problem with any of this, I do see a problem with allowing young people to drink. Now while I do feel the drinking age should be lowered, I also realize that alcohol causes many, many more problems than firearm ownership. And beyond that it (alcohol consumption) is not protected by the constitution That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #33 January 23, 2007 QuoteMy Brother in Law was giving a new 300 Ultra Short Mag when he passed hunter safety at 11. well, there also isn't any 'drinking safety' courses out there today ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #34 January 23, 2007 Then in your mind an 18 year old is mature enough to own a gun, but not mature enough to have a drink after a successful hunt? I disagree, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #35 January 23, 2007 Quotewell, there also isn't any 'drinking safety' courses out there today Where I grew up we called that parents and extended family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craddock 0 #36 January 23, 2007 No, I never said anything close to that. You are having comprehension problems. I also do not know many people that feel the drinking age should be 21. I had a beer from my dad well before that. That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #37 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteThe focus really was not on "maturity" to drink, as much as it was a correlation (real or imagined) to drunk-driving accidents. To me that indicates that those in that age group are deemed not to have the maturity to handle the responsibility of alcohol. Why would they be mature enough to handle the responsibility of a firearm? You're either getting bogged down on semantics, or you're just ignoring my point because you've got your mind made up that the age 21 drinking age in the US is mostly about "maturity". It's not, and I've explained it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #38 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuotewell, there also isn't any 'drinking safety' courses out there today Where I grew up we called that parents and extended family. I was comparing to the post comment about the youngster having a shooting safety course as another difference. (I never took a formal course, my father taught me. So I'd agree with the parents and extended family comment for a lot of things......) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craddock 0 #39 January 23, 2007 QuoteI was comparing to the post comment about the youngster having a shooting safety course as another difference. (I never took a formal course, my father taught me. So I'd agree with the parents and extended family comment for a lot of things......) For the record in this case the parents taught this kid plenty. I would have let him clean my guns anytime, and I would let him retrieve them loaded. The safty course added to his training and is a requirement to purchase a hunting license. It was a Hunters Safety Course. That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #40 January 23, 2007 Quote(alcohol consumption) is not protected by the constitution "...the pursuit of happiness"? Oh, wait - that's the Declaration of Independence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #41 January 23, 2007 QuoteYou're either getting bogged down on semantics, or you're just ignoring my point because you've got your mind made up that the age 21 drinking age in the US is mostly about "maturity". It's not, and I've explained it. nice either or scenario... You indicated that the drinking age was raised due to the high incidence of drinking and driving in the 18 to 21 year old group. To me, that is about maturity and responsibility Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #42 January 23, 2007 Quote Ask that of all the soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam that enlisted under the age of 18. On the same note - why should we trust anyone under the age of 21 behind the wheel of a car? Cars kill many more people per year than guns do... Agreed. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
