I do understand what your saying ass well as asking, Richard. And it's a difficult question for me to answer. You said "think that now-a-days any 15 year old kid in your neighborhoods should have the right ..."
Well, around my 'neighborhood' you'll find that about any teenager has at least access to some type of a firearm. I mean, when the first day of deer season rolls around, the local schools shut down because most of the kids are going to be out deer hunting anyhow. "free day" is what the schools call it.
Now to be (I take it you mean 'casually") Walking around with a firearm, I'd say not only no, but "heck no!"
When I was a kid buying a .357, I had already been ingrained with a great deal of respect for people and for the firearms. You don't go flagging it around in front of people.
I'd like to say I that would be true with kids in my area today.
Me too. But I am not sure in today's days of violent video games and
lack of strong parental control of kids that access to firearms at 15
as a general rule is a good idea.
I am sure the community you grew up in was different back then and I
know you had strong family influences. Sounds like that culture remains
today but I am not sure that's true everywhere.