Atticus feels like he shouldn't shoot. He believes he has an unfair advantage over other living things because he is really very good at shooting. Readers do not discover this detail until chapter 10. He gives the rifles to the children in chapter 9:
"Don't point them in the house," said Atticus, when Jem aimed at a picture on the wall.
"You'll have to teach 'em to shoot," said Uncle Jack.
"That's your job," said Atticus. "I merely bowed to the inevitable."
