I think you are correct about the parents. I also think at 12 yrs old the parents ought to have the guns locked up or at least know when & where their kids were using them.
I agree. I had BB and pellet guns at 12 but I didn’t have a .22 until I was 15. I was also taught all about what they could do and about respect for life and property long before that. I was also pretty clear about what my dad would do if I messed up. There was no chance he would side with me either.