Let's be flat about it, what you're planning on purchasing is a weapon. It's a deadly creature that can, and by function is designed to, greatly injure or end the life of another creature. I would say think long and hard about a lot of things before you decide to purchase your own firearm. For starters:
[ul]
[li]You're sixteen years old. Many states have a law that you cannot sell firearms and/or ammunition to anyone under the age of 18. There's a reason for this. Circumventing it seems unnecessary.[/li]
[li]For what purpose are you using this weapon? While a gun may be no more or less deadly than an automobile or a lighter, there's still the question of why it's going to be used. If you want it for recreational shooting, then you must consider storage opportunities that would best serve the purposes. Perhaps you can come to an arrangement, such as keeping the weapon at home, unloaded, and the ammunition at any range you'll be using. If for hunting, show some initiative by purchasing a carrying case for your weapon, and a separate safe for the ammunition. If you're planning on using it for home defense, then your life is as at danger with it than without it. Not to mention the use of deadly force in self-defense is becoming more questioned in courts.[/li]
[li]Consider yourself. Purchasing a gun comes with, on average, a 10 day waiting period and background check. During this ten days, and the preceding time, ask yourself how much you would trust yourself with a gun. If you're the type who succumbs quickly to anger, then perhaps owning a very deadly weapon like a gun or a bomb is not for you. If you feel like anyone in your family is untrustworthy with such a weapon, consider all the safety measures you'll need to keep such as multiple locks, separation of weapon and ammo, keeping the weapon disassembled without explaining assembly to family members, etc. If you can think of no reason for owning this weapon, then aside from a vague want to own it, why are you buying it in the first place?[/li]
[/ul]
Either way, the entire purpose of this questionnaire is to really, really understand the full responsibility with owning a gun. If you plan on getting training, practice, and really understanding how and why to own this gun, and you still think it's best, then it's your decision and no one can take that away from you. However, there's a reason we license drivers, pilots, and so on. It also represents a huge danger. If you think there's even the barest of chance that something irresponsible can and will happen with it, then it's safer not to have it at all.
If you've decided, and still concerned for his opinion, ask him to accompany you to safety and training classes. Show him that you're dedicated to owning this gun, and for the right reasons, and that he can trust you with it. To do that, though, you must first prove it as much to yourself as to him.
Be responsible about it, but otherwise, I can see nothing wrong with wanting to own such a weapon. So long as you're smart about it. Which includes knowing the local laws. [http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/]
