I don't mind having my kids around guns so long as I am also around to supervise, my 5 yr old wanted to help dad and out of my 3, he's the only one who actually likes guns so I let him help paint that AR and the stock to my Savage 10. They are locked up in a safe otherwise, save for my home defense guns. I guess when their is no optics or accessories I didn't think he could damage anything as I've had several other ARs dropped from various heights over the years with no damage to any components or optics.