§ 14‑316.  Permitting young children to use dangerous firearms.

(a)       It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, to knowingly permit his child under the age of 12 years to have the possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, except when such child is under the supervision of the parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis.  It shall be unlawful for any other person to knowingly furnish such child any weapon enumerated herein.  Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

(b)       Air rifles, air pistols, and BB guns shall not be deemed "dangerous firearms" within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section except in the following counties:  Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Haywood, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance. (1913, c. 32; C.S., s. 4441; 1965, c. 813; 1971, c. 309; 1993, c. 539, s. 218; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)


Does this mean you cannot loan a child an air gun to shoot cans in the yard?

Quoted: § 14‑316.  Permitting young children to use dangerous firearms. (a)       It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, to knowingly permit his child under the age of 12 years to have the possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, except when such child is under the supervision of the parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis.  It shall be unlawful for any other person to knowingly furnish such child any weapon enumerated herein.  Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. (b)       Air rifles, air pistols, and BB guns shall not be deemed "dangerous firearms" within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section except in the following counties:  Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Haywood, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance. (1913, c. 32; C.S., s. 4441; 1965, c. 813; 1971, c. 309; 1993, c. 539, s. 218; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).) Does this mean you cannot loan a child an air gun to shoot cans in the yard?

Only if the child is unsupervised and in one of the listed counties. Wouldn't you still want to be with a child that is under 12 when they are shooting a air rifle? Best time in the world to start the golden rules for shooting and it's a blast to see the kids learn!

I dunno.

What about Ralphie going alone out back and shooting a Red Ryder??

The way I read it is BB guns air rifles etc. are fine for all ages except in the counties listed in section (b).

"the supervision of the parent" is a very broad statement.  Statements like that one are also present int he NFA/machine gun/silencer laws.  Generally speaking it means On the Premises.

Quoted: I dunno. What about Ralphie going alone out back and shooting a Red Ryder??

Check your calendar - what year was that?   Don't get me started - I'll trade all the so-called modern advances to go back to that time....

I'm surprised Caswell County is on the list. I assumed their rustic population wouldn't be bliss-ninnies.