When Should Grandpa Give Up His Gun

NBC News had this fairly balanced report on a new paper published by two geriatric specialists on the topic of when it is and isn't safe for senior citizens to continue possessing firearms.

The paper, published June 4 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, lists “5 Ls” to ask an older gun owner: Is his or her gun “loaded” and “locked;” do “little” children visit the home; is the owner feeling “low,” and is he or she “learned” about proper use?

Pinholt, a firearm owner, said she and her co-author, a retired Army Ranger, “are not against guns,” and simply are seeking to reduce suicide risk and boost safety for visitors –- including home-health professionals. Some gun-rights advocates assert, however, the paper’s focus on the elderly is another attempt to try to chip away constitutional freedoms.

The reporter, Robert Briggs, reached out to the Second Amendment Foundation's Alan Gottlieb, to get another view:

“Should we prevent people from serving in public office into their 70s or 80s? Decisions they make could affect millions of citizens,” Gottlieb added. “Simply because someone is older does not mean they should begin to lose their firearms rights … One doesn’t lose his or her civil rights merely because we turn the page of a calendar."

Gotlieb also appeared on Sunday's Armed American Radio to discuss the article in a little more detail.

On a personal note, my grandfather had all of his firearms until his death at the age of 92.  I hunted with him until he was in his late 70's.  I never saw any activity by him that indicated he should not have continued owning his firearms.