I don't know if your post was a bit tongue-in-cheek or not, but...Why would any child need any more exposure to firearms except to see what to absolutely stay away from? I can certainly see some responsible teenagers learning how to handle a small caliber rifle for hunting. Then when old enough to qualify for a LTC I can see proceeding with training and qualifying.
But at 9 years old - really - we are talking about Texas and not the Congo, right???
Even some programs allow young kids to shoot. 4-H members (must be entering the 3rd grade - minimum age of 8) can participate in the Shooting Sports project. With parental permission and showing appropriate responsibility and behavior, kids this age are allowed to shoot not only BB/Air rifles, but also air pistols, small-bore rifles and pistols and even center-fire rifles and pistols. It is really more about their ability to listen, behave seriously, know and understand the safety rules, and obey range commands.
All that said, parents each have a different take on what they are ready for their kids to try, regardless of what the kid seems ready for.