Kids These Days...

[Ulysses]

Before I start this, let me say a few things about myself: I'm 19, graduated high school in 2008, and grew up in suburban Houston, where I'm staying over the summer. Also, I drive a jeep with no doors.


I was at my friends house tonight and I wasn't feeling too great, so I decided to head home. I'm driving down the street (still in the neighborhood) when I hear a 'poof' off in the distance followed by a smack in my right arm. It didn't hurt too much, but I look down and see a pellet from an airsoft gun. My first thoughts after I pull over are to call the police, but I don't quite feel like they would actually do anything. The kid probably would have been able to sneak inside because I'm pretty sure he was in the backyard or on his balcony. Then I think about walking toward the house. It felt like a bad idea to go toward a kid that was hidden with a gun. Anyways, the kid had a lucky shot... or pretty good aim. I guess I've calmed down a bit and I can see a bit of humor in it, but I feel this warrants me talking to his parents. What do yall think? If your kid was shooting at cars late at night, would you want to know?

And last summer I was driving down a street...some kid through a balloon full of syrup at my car. But that's another story.

 

[Kratos]

Damn straight talk to the little punk's parents. That's a ticketable offense here if you can catch someone doing it. Paintball guns get confiscated for such nonsense.

 

[Fnord5]

Damn straight talk to the little punk's parents. That's a ticketable offense here if you can catch someone doing it. Paintball guns get confiscated for such nonsense.

Airsoft guns look too freaking real sometimes for me to take a chance. I see someone pointing one at me, I am going to be drawing my .45 rather quickly, and if they don't drop it or take off running, they might get a double tap to the chest.

 

[Kratos]

Airsoft guns look too freaking real sometimes for me to take a chance. I see someone pointing one at me, I am going to be drawing my .45 rather quickly, and if they don't drop it or take off running, they might get a double tap to the chest.

You and me both. That's a chance I'm not going to take. People just don't think. Several robberies around here have been attempted(and completed) with Airsoft guns.

 

[Leche]

If your kid was shooting at cars late at night, would you want to know?

Ya so I could smack him around and make him detail your vehicle. No concept of anything these kids.

 

[mretzloff]

Kids these days are spoiled and need of a good butt whiping. Their parents aren't much better either because most likely that kid never gets punished or yelled at.

I'm about your age (18) and agree with you. Honestly, I despise children.

EDIT: To answer your question, if my kid (if I had one) did this, they would not be leaving the house for a while. I think you should speak with his parents but be aware that they might yell at you and act like children themselves.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Airsoft guns look too freaking real sometimes for me to take a chance. I see someone pointing one at me, I am going to be drawing my .45 rather quickly, and if they don't drop it or take off running, they might get a double tap to the chest.

If I carried a weapon, this would be my course of action as well.


Damn punk kids.

 

[philamac]

Just googled airsoft guns.

That is scary that kids (even adults) can buy these things.

 

[Luc]

I do agree with the above, if you can get a hold of the parents, I would go and have a chat to them. Hopefully, they won't be acting like the kid and laugh at you or let the kid off with a warning.

If they have a minimum of common sense, they will do something about. That behaviour is inacceptable!

 

[SRock]

Damn straight talk to the little punk's parents. That's a ticketable offense here if you can catch someone doing it. Paintball guns get confiscated for such nonsense.

'Nuff said!

 

[Obsessed]

If one of my kids were doing something dangerous I'd want someone to tell me about it. Just be sure when you speak with them you do it in a non-belligerent way. Ideally they'll react like responsible parents should, and if they don't, at least you've put them on notice of what their kid is doing.

 

[Gruder]

I don't see this as a referendum on all "kids these days," but yeah, have a chat with the parents. Hopefully they'll act like parents and take care of the situation. (Now "parents these days" -- that's a whole separate thread!)

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Hopefully the parents aren't as bad or worse than the kids.

If that was my kid, after detailing your car, and being grounded for life plus ten years, he'd get popped with the airsoft gun. Just so he gets a taste of his own medicine.

Then again, I wouldn't allow airsoft guns or paintball guns in the house.

 

[blackfoot]

And last summer I was driving down a street...some kid through a balloon full of syrup at my car. But that's another story.

The airsoft punk is one thing. His parents need to beat him more. This kid with the syrup, he needs you to beat him senseless.

 

[mmack66]

Why are we having Airsoft Gun Kid detail your car? Do you mean Balloon Full of Syrup kid? I am not sure that I would have wanted some kid that doesn't have any sense detailing my car.

 

[ouch]

If your kid was shooting at cars late at night, would you want to know?

I think the police would want to know, as well.

And last summer I was driving down a street...some kid through a balloon full of syrup at my car. But that's another story.

Another reason to get a car with doors.

If one of my kids were doing something dangerous I'd want someone to tell me about it. Just be sure when you speak with them you do it in a non-belligerent way.

Would you consider talking to them while holding their kid upside down by the ankles non-belligerent?

 

[Shane]

As a teacher, I can tell you, behavior like this generally comes from utter lack of parental supervision. For all anyone knows, the parents could actually be encouraging douchebaggery like that. Having talked with parents, that can be a losing battle as well, but it's worth it anyway.

I'd take it a step further than talking with parents. Contact proper authorities as well. The kid shot you. If that doesn't scare the little rapscallion, then there's a fair chance that he's beyond that level of help and just needs to go to military school or something.

 

[Fnord5]

Would you consider talking to them while holding their kid upside down by the ankles non-belligerent?

Yes.
You might be pushing the limits though if while talking to them, every 5 seconds you plugged the kid with his Airsoft gun.

Definitely belligerent if you shoot both the kid, and his parents with the airsoft gun while you are talking to them, repeating after each shot "see how it feels? How do you like it?"

 

[tpoof]

I think the police would want to know, as well.

my sentiments as well...

 

[Wendy]

Before I start this, let me say a few things about myself: I'm 19, graduated high school in 2008, and grew up in suburban Houston, where I'm staying over the summer. Also, I drive a jeep with no doors.


I was at my friends house tonight and I wasn't feeling too great, so I decided to head home. I'm driving down the street (still in the neighborhood) when I hear a 'poof' off in the distance followed by a smack in my right arm. It didn't hurt too much, but I look down and see a pellet from an airsoft gun. My first thoughts after I pull over are to call the police, but I don't quite feel like they would actually do anything. The kid probably would have been able to sneak inside because I'm pretty sure he was in the backyard or on his balcony. Then I think about walking toward the house. It felt like a bad idea to go toward a kid that was hidden with a gun. Anyways, the kid had a lucky shot... or pretty good aim. I guess I've calmed down a bit and I can see a bit of humor in it, but I feel this warrants me talking to his parents. What do yall think? If your kid was shooting at cars late at night, would you want to know?

And last summer I was driving down a street...some kid through a balloon full of syrup at my car. But that's another story.

What if had been your eye. I think it would not be laughable. I would talk to the parents.