To answer a number of queries about a 20 gauge fighting shotgun for a twelve year old let me say this, while many Americans are teaching their children to be tolerant of other cultures, those same cultures are teaching their children how to make IED's, field strip various weapons, and kill anyone without their same belief systems. Many of us "rural" folk get the kids to church every Sunday, eat at the table together, teach our children how to slaughter and dress farm animals, hunt and fish; American kind of stuff. One of the overriding issues today is the encroachment of drugs and the related violence. I grew up in a house that was never locked, didn't have a key till I moved out and took my induction physical. There was never a worry about safety then. That's not the case now. My sons and daughters have been brought up with various firearms. Truck guns, hunting guns, personal protection weapons. They've watched me for years come home from work, take a duty belt off, secure the weapon and start my chores. One of the duties and responsibilities of my children (both male and female) is to protect each other, their friends, community and the family. The twelve year old has demonstrated that he is mature enough to handle learning the task and I will provide him with the tools to accomplish the mission. I appreciate the responses to my question.