How young is too young?

[CJATE]

I like what my dad did and I plain the same. By boy is 2

I started around 5, the bb gun was my grandfather and I had to call and ask him if I could come over and shoot or if we (dad and I) could borrow it. First 20g was the same way.

I am however a firm believer in letting little ones ask questions and look at or inspect guns.

Curiosity is what killed the cat.

[srothstein]

I have actually taken the kids to the range when they were still babies on days when my wife wanted to go also. I usually took them as toddlers so they could start learning what a gun can do early. I guess they were about 5 or 6 when I started letting them shoot, mostly .22 rifles with me holding around them. As they showed they could handle it, they got to shoot more on their own. On their tenth birthday, each of my kids got a .22 single shot rifle, child sized, for their own. They keep it and clean it and it is their property.

Well, I guess I should say the ones over 10 got it. The 8 year old goes shooting using his sister's Marlin 15Y and bugs me for his own. He will get it in two years.

I kind of got the idea from my dad. He started me shooting when I was 8. He did not get me my own rifle back then, but he did make the tenth birthday more special with other traditional items (for our family).

[9mmGuy]

My dad got me a Daisy BB gun at age 8.

i learned proper safety and handling with a BB gun. My parents do not like handguns so i did not shoot one till i was out on my own, around 20 years young. My son will probably learn the same way, except i have always told myself i will let him shoot my pistols when he is strong enough to safely rack the slide himself (to eject a loaded round, and/or check for clear when handling). he is only 11 months young, so i have a while...

[aggie70]

Our Story:

Two kids. They are now 34 & 21.

When #1 was about 8-10 we got her a BB gun & taught her safety with it. Prior to that we had few, unloaded, firearms. By the time she was 12 she was OK on both 22s and our 38 snubbie.

With #2 we started when he was 4. I was cleaning the above mentioned snubbie one day when he toddled in - not unexpectedly. I still remember just how big his eyes got when he saw that black Colt Det Spcl. We talked about it and how it was "different" from his toy guns. Then I got a bright idea. I sent him for one of his toy guns - a plastic copy of a Colt Peacemaker. With the toy in one of his hands, I placed the unloaded, cylinder open, snubbie in his other hand. Of course he was expecting to take on about the same amount of weight. hehe

I caught the snubbie before it hit the floor. He reminds, even today, that "there IS a difference."

Net result: BOTH are respectfull of firearms. Neither own any at this time or are interested in owning.

That's my $ 0.02 worth!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Cool thread! I got my first BB gun at age 5. We had rules and were only allowed to shoot cans, and only in the special part of the yard that my dad fixed up for us. At 7, I got my single shot .410 and learned to dove hunt with my dad. Christmas when I was 10, I got my very own 20ga Remington 870 Wingmaster, just like my dad's, only his was 12ga. Same thing for my brother. We learned the rules early and went over them ALL the time. If either one of us ever did anything dumb, the hunting trip or range trip was over, and we got to hear why there were rules and what could happen when people don't follow them. We grew up with a respect for guns, and a love for shooting. We also got to spend quality time with Dad, learn responsibility, and make memories that last forever. Start as soon as you can, we lost my dad in an accident when I was 13 and my brother was 10. If he hadn't started with us and worked so patiently when we were young my brother and I wouldn't have the interest we do now. Don't miss the opportunity.

[thankGod]

I started with a .22 rifle when I was around 5 or 6 years old. I was living with my grandparents in Chester, and there was the occasional varmint, or pop bottles, or whatever target that would sit on a fence post.

I shot some competition in ROTC in high school (I don't think they even allow guns in high schools anymore, much less have a range on campus).

I did receive a little training in the late 60's at Fort Polk.

[Abraham]

I'm teaching my 12 Yr. Granddaughter to shoot. Since, I don't have anything smaller than a 9MM, that's what she's learning with. Yes, she is doing very well with it. No fear, no flinching, just pure enjoyment.

I make safety NO. 1. We went over and over the various safety precautions well before we went to the range. Then when the day came to go to the range, we again and again went over safety on the drive. When we got to the range we went over safety. By the time the "one and only one" bullet was loaded, she was very well grounded in safety. Of course, I watched her very carefully as to her gun handling. She did very well. Very observant of the safety rules.

I carefully observed her very first shot and was delighted to see she wasn't at all startled with the muzzle blast or recoil. Gradually we progressed to shooting two bullets, then three and eventually on up to a full magazine.

She's already a good shot and a safe shooter.

[LarryH]

I wish we had started teaching our grand-daughter at age 12. She has been indoctrinated by the liberal touchy-feely atmosphere in the high school and the college, so doesn't really understand (or says she doesn't) why my wife and I carry.

We just pray that she doesn't have a rude awakening once she gets out on her own after graduation and during first job.

[LedJedi]

gun safety rules from the day they're born.

My daughter is 7. I have a set of airsoft pistols that she will learn basic safety handling with. She is quizzed regularly on the 4 rules along with our house rules for guns. I started going over the 4 rules with her 2-3 years ago I think.

She's very excited about trying the airsoft guns, but we have yet to work with them. I've already taken her to the range because she asked to go. She got to fire a .22 with me standing directly over her and after some tutorial with the unloaded weapon.

[Wildscar]

All of this is great info. I only brought up the topic becasue I didnt have a father growing up and the only memory I have of my grandfather was him being taken away in an Ambulance when I was 2. I kind had to find my own way by watching TV and reading book and saving my allowance to get my first BB gun. No one really went over the rules and the dangers of them. I just knew that they were dangerous and if I made a mistake that myself or the people around me could get hurt or worse. I hope that my son will find it natrual as I did but I still want to help as much as I can. This info has really given me insite that I needed. Thanks everyone.

[phddan]

My three oldest grandkids (3,4, and 5) started at two years old, when they asked to.
My son and daughter in law just added to the brass picker upper crew last Thursday with a set of twin boys.

They know not to touch a gun unless their parents ( or grandparents ) are with them, and they are learning the safe handling and use of guns by positive reinforcement with both real and toy guns.

Can't wait till they can handle the AR15's

Dan