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I have a 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son.

I have been thinking that it might be about time to take my daughter to the range with me but I am not sure due to her age.

What is the right age for a child to go to the range? I know maturity has a lot do with it as well as a strong foundation in gun safety.

Overall, when is the right time?

Also, do gun ranges put age restrictions on people at the gun range? Has anyone ever seen a rule that states no one under a certain age is allowed on the gun range?

Thanks for you comments!

I think the right age to take them to the range is when they show interest. What and if they shoot, or just watch, depends on the child's size and maturity. It's hard to make a bright line suggestion but a single shot 22 rifle, prone or on a bench, is a good start for many children.

I remember being on the line at Carter's Country burning up 22 in my Daddy's Ruger in the first grade! I thought I was all that I went to school with the Carter kids, so we were there a lot.

That being said, I agree with the previous response, "as soon as they show interest", as most kids will find answers to their questions, and I would much rather know what answers they are getting.

I was recently wondering the same thing. I am considering getting a CHL and don't want the kids freaked out when they see it. And I want them to understand the rules of gun ownership. I have an 11 year-old son and a 7 year-old daughter and I want both to learn about guns and have a decent respect for them and learn to be proficient in using them. My son is starting Boy Scouts, so he will be using the .22 rifle before too long. My folks gave me a Marlin .22 rifle when I was 13, so I've been considering getting it from them so I can get the kids trained on it. I would love to buy a Ruger Mark III or Walther P22 so I can get them started on handguns as well. As soon as I get the money, I'll be getting them out to some property near Flatonia to start the process.

So, to answer your question, as soon as you think they need to learn. I've heard a lot of heart-warming stories lately of kids who learned to use guns taking care of bad guys who threatened their families. As long as guns are around, they need to know how to use them. Or they'll abuse them.

I took our now teenager to the range when he was about ten. I took our daughter the first time when she was about eight.

For the record, our now 13 year old daughter now shoots better with my Beretta 9mm than the .22lr she starts with.

tbrown wrote:I think the right age to take them to the range is when they show interest. What and if they shoot, or just watch, depends on the child's size and maturity. It's hard to make a bright line suggestion but a single shot 22 rifle, prone or on a bench, is a good start for many children.

That's what I did for my daughter. She was 9y when she asked about going. My sister on the other hand didn't ask until she was 40y. Luckily they both asked around the same time, so I was able to take both of them and my sister's 16y daughter all at the same time. They'll let you know somehow and it's a lot more fun when they ask you instead of you taking them when they are not ready and willing.

tbrown wrote:I think the right age to take them to the range is when they show interest. What and if they shoot, or just watch, depends on the child's size and maturity. It's hard to make a bright line suggestion but a single shot 22 rifle, prone or on a bench, is a good start for many children.

I agree. My son was 7 but my oldest daughter was 30. My grandson and 2 of 4 grand daughters wer 7 or 8

My 3 children started going to the range in diapers to observe what the older adults and kids enjoyed. All of them were shooting competitive trap and skeet by 11-=-girls and boys.

I took 8 and 12 year old grandsons Saturday and the 12 year old shot the .22 he got for Christmas. We shot a brick of .22 and the 8 year old shot with his pellet rifle as well as several rimfire guns. I have a Anchutz Woodchucker just for starting the youngsters with a bolt action single shot. I also have the .22 single shot Remmy that my brother and I started out on. My first .22 was a Rem 550-1 that I was given by an old bachelor uncle at the ripe old age of 6 months. I was not allowed to use it without supervision until I mastered shooting and safety with the single shot. I was killing small game with the semi auto by age 12. We grew up on a farm and the grandchildren have the same benefits and have a range on one of our farms. These kids are not the future of shooting sports.

My best shooter is a 13 year old grand daughter--I am duracoating a 10-22 in pink tiger stripped camo for her Valentines Day birthday. Please don't anyone spill the beans before then!

As an add on to the previous post, my son in law and I had to find a set of pink ear protection for the 4 year old to wear on range trips. She is the resident cheerleader for her Mother and Nanny (grandmother). I let her shoot paintball and BB's at balloons before Christmas and she is hooked.

Bear67 wrote:As an add on to the previous post, my son in law and I had to find a set of pink ear protection for the 4 year old to wear on range trips. She is the resident cheerleader for her Mother and Nanny (grandmother). I let her shoot paintball and BB's at balloons before Christmas and she is hooked.

Funny you mention the ear protection. I was wondering about ear protection for their small little heads. Do you think Academy Sports or Bass Pro would have junior sized hearing protection. I assume they do.

karb0n wrote:

Bear67 wrote:As an add on to the previous post, my son in law and I had to find a set of pink ear protection for the 4 year old to wear on range trips. She is the resident cheerleader for her Mother and Nanny (grandmother). I let her shoot paintball and BB's at balloons before Christmas and she is hooked.

Funny you mention the ear protection. I was wondering about ear protection for their small little heads. Do you think Academy Sports or Bass Pro would have junior sized hearing protection. I assume they do.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 1_33386_-1

Mine started shooting long guns at about 4. My 12 year old daughter can shoot a 7 mag, and my 8 year old son shoots a 223 or 243. Both can also shoot my 9mm Sig P250C without help, but with supervision of course.

We started the grandsons with a friend's Ruger .22 at about 4, 6 and 7. The oldest started with the wife's CW9 and my PT145 at the range at 8. He also started dove hunting in 2010 with a 20 ga 870 and 11-87 (both youth models). The next yournger and I went to the range last summer and he was more interested in sweeping up the brass than in shooting. I'll get him back to the .22 when I get the chance.

I will agree with others here, when they are ready is when you should start them at the range.

Please remember to watch lead contamination! Wash hands arms and faces well with soap and water as soon as you are done shooting and no eating/drinking on the line. Lead is a bigger hazard to youngsters with developing brains and bodies and faster metabolisms than us old folks

We have been taking our granddaughter since she was 8 to plink with a .22 neos
she is now 10 and loves the time we spend there. She recites range safety, and is a stickler that those around us pay heed to the safe range rules