HE may be just 10 months old, but that hasn't stopped little Howard David Ludwig from getting a gun licence - for his 12-gauge shotgun.

The Chicago baby made headlines yesterday when it was revealed he was a licensed gun owner, an astounding fact his father believes has renewed the debate about the ease of firearm access in the United States.

Howard, known by his family as Bubba, was issued the firearm owner's identification card by the state of Illinois after his father, Howard Sr, paid the $6 fee and filled out the application, not expecting to actually get one.

While saying he was neither pro- or anti-gun, Mr Ludwig yesterday told the Daily Telegraph Online in an Australian exclusive that "if my 10-month-old son helps to encourage that debate, well, that's a good thing."

The 30-year-old newspaper columnist said the child's grandfather had bought the "unusual gift" with a view to the pair going clay-target shooting one day.

The card lists the baby's height as 68.6cm, weight at 9kg and has a scribble where the signature should be.

Mr Ludwig wrote about his son getting his gun licence in his column.

An Illinois Government official admitted there were no age restrictions on the cards which are designed to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, those under an order of protection and those convicted of domestic violence.

The weapon will probably be kept at Ludwig's father's house until the boy is at least 14.


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