What is the right age to teach kids to shoot?
- Thread starter GM1967
- Start date
my oldest who is almost 19 started shooting at the age of 3 my youngest is 16 and he started at the age of 5. he's a plinker and hunts in deer season IF he feels like getting up. my oldest can out shoot me buy a long shot and i thought i was pretty knowledgeable on my firearms then he just blows me away with something new. he's heading for a career in the US ARMY as a cav scout. couldnt be a more proud dad !! hes been in the army reserves since nov 08 as a combat engineer and has switched to active duty army as a cav scout as his new mos.
N.H. Yankee
New member
As soon as the inside the waistband holster fits in their diaper.
I picked 10 years old for my sons, I felt they were then old enough to understand the mechanics and safety of a firearm. They didn't get out of arms reach till many trips afield as I wished to study their behavior pertaining to safe handling. We started with rim fires and moved up the food chain rather quickly as they progressed.
The first thing I did was fill a jug with water and blast it with my 45acp, this was to make an impression upon them as to how dangerous a firearm is when handled carelessly. I also impressed upon them KNOW the range of the gun and where that bullet is going to end up!
I picked 10 years old for my sons, I felt they were then old enough to understand the mechanics and safety of a firearm. They didn't get out of arms reach till many trips afield as I wished to study their behavior pertaining to safe handling. We started with rim fires and moved up the food chain rather quickly as they progressed. The first thing I did was fill a jug with water and blast it with my 45acp, this was to make an impression upon them as to how dangerous a firearm is when handled carelessly. I also impressed upon them KNOW the range of the gun and where that bullet is going to end up!
allenomics
New member
If the child is mature and curious, I'd say eight years old to start. Shooting BB guns are fun for children. Teaching gun safety and sportsmanship are lessons that they won't ever forget.
I have a hard time with this one, most kids today are raised very different than I was.
I remember being 3 or 4 on the farm, we had a raccoon in the barn so my uncle came over and popped it with a .22. It was pretty darn clear to me that it was not going to re-start on a new level. Animals died on the farm all the time, it was not a difficult concept even at a young age and the power and permanence of gunshots was easily apparent.
When I was 5 my uncle asked me to bring him his shotgun, I recall being scared stiff because I already knew that touching a gun would lead to some punishment so awful that though never experienced, I would not risk. He showed me how to check that it was unloaded etc, that was my first direct experience.
I was started with a lever-cock Daisy BB gun at age 9, only that late because my dad didn't shoot so my uncle had to get around to it. I graduate to a 20-gauge at age 11. I was ready sooner.
My daughters will probably start learning around age 5. I think BB guns are appropriate to start, not the powerful pneumatic ones but the little Daisys. My oldest is still short of 3 and she already knows to stay out of my gun room, and if a gun is out she WILL NOT touch it.
I remember being 3 or 4 on the farm, we had a raccoon in the barn so my uncle came over and popped it with a .22. It was pretty darn clear to me that it was not going to re-start on a new level. Animals died on the farm all the time, it was not a difficult concept even at a young age and the power and permanence of gunshots was easily apparent.
When I was 5 my uncle asked me to bring him his shotgun, I recall being scared stiff because I already knew that touching a gun would lead to some punishment so awful that though never experienced, I would not risk. He showed me how to check that it was unloaded etc, that was my first direct experience.
I was started with a lever-cock Daisy BB gun at age 9, only that late because my dad didn't shoot so my uncle had to get around to it. I graduate to a 20-gauge at age 11. I was ready sooner.
My daughters will probably start learning around age 5. I think BB guns are appropriate to start, not the powerful pneumatic ones but the little Daisys. My oldest is still short of 3 and she already knows to stay out of my gun room, and if a gun is out she WILL NOT touch it.
Short answer: it depends on the kid and on the family, not on the calendar. Your commitment to teaching matters far more than the kid's calendar age.
Long answer:
pax
Long answer:
- www.CorneredCat.com/Kids/firstlesson.aspx
- www.CorneredCat.com/Kids/rangeready.aspx
- www.CorneredCat.com/Kids/firsttrip.aspx
pax
I wouldnt do it before 14 or so (ABout 7 or 8 for a bb gun though)....I know a guy who is 21 and just getting out of jail because he blew his friends head off while playing with daddys gun at age 12. Can you imagine that? The mental effects of
1-Killing your best friend
2-Being locked up for 9 years starting at age 12!
Personally I think anyone who starts kids at ages like 4, 5, 6 etc.... are irresponsible. I love the shooting sports and I think its GREAT to start new shooters....but its simply WAY too much responsibility for a child to handle. No way someone who is 5 or 6 can have the ability to genuinely know how dangerous guns can be, and how very easy it is to end someones life with a single mistake. (It is why they were invented after all)
Starting a kid at such an age is (In my opinion) irresponsible, and selfish. If you want a shooting buddy, then be patient. Let him grow up a bit first. Starting a kid when he is 6 because you want him to be a shooter and you want a range pal is idiotic.
1-Killing your best friend
2-Being locked up for 9 years starting at age 12!
Personally I think anyone who starts kids at ages like 4, 5, 6 etc.... are irresponsible. I love the shooting sports and I think its GREAT to start new shooters....but its simply WAY too much responsibility for a child to handle. No way someone who is 5 or 6 can have the ability to genuinely know how dangerous guns can be, and how very easy it is to end someones life with a single mistake. (It is why they were invented after all)
Starting a kid at such an age is (In my opinion) irresponsible, and selfish. If you want a shooting buddy, then be patient. Let him grow up a bit first. Starting a kid when he is 6 because you want him to be a shooter and you want a range pal is idiotic.
Fygg Nuuton
New member
My niece is totally into nerf guns, and likes to see my real guns while I clean them and prep them and such. I've let her hold them, and she's aware that we do not touch them unless otherwise noted etc. I got an airsoft gun for funzies and allowed her to shoot at a box, and although she was hesitant, she did as long as i held on to it. Later when I asked why, she said it wasn't hers so she didn't want to hold it. Yeah, we have some more to go over, but at least she's not playing cowgirl with my 4510
First, the story about the 21 year old you know is tragic. I just want to make that clear
However, your standpoint seems to be that because this person and his friend had this tragic accident at age 12, that means firearms are automatically an issue for anyone at this age. I disagree strongly, and it is not "irresponsible" to be a parent and be able to judge at which age a child is mature enough to do something like this- with close adult supervision. A BB gun at age six or a .22 single shot rifle that is only in the child's hands when a responsible parent or two is present and closely supervising? Who am I to dictate age maturity and capability? The BB gun or .22 would not be regarded by the parents as another toy in the toy box, to be used when and how the child wants, and the parents are there when the thing is out, at all times no exceptions, and when either the safety speech or the 2 or three shot 'range trip' are over, the BB gun or rifle gets locked up. But little one never gets to actually shoot until he or she demonstrates that the safety aspect has sunk in. Maybe the process starts at 4, and maybe junior never shoots until he's 10
In the context of your idea that 14 is probably the lowest age...your viewpoint is based, it seems, on the 12 year old's accident you earlier described, that resulted in death
There is a universe of difference between a couple of 12 year olds playing with a gun, and a 12 year old using a firearm under competent adult supervision. In my opinion- based on my gut feeling- the situation you describe came from "playing with guns"
Agreed there is a difference in 2 kids playing and supervised responsible teaching.....But I still think it is too young.
One thing I didnt mention, is I do think is OK to start the learning process early. I think introducing a youngster into shooting by teaching him the safety of firearms, why you shoot, etc... is alright. Again...I have no problems with someone giving their kid (like anyone is going to raise there kid based on my opinions) a BB gun and going over the do's and don'ts of shooting and things of that nature. But videos like this....
A 3 year old shootin an ar15....really?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGkRKT0Q-L4&feature=related
This is garbage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQM4I6D-7QI&feature=related
This is too young....let me lay weapons all over the table and let kids pick them up and play with them like there toys.... : |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCpwTKzu5sY
etc... etc...
*And again there is no date written in stone but 14 is my general guideline. it can very from kid to kid, but regardless 6 is too young for sure*
One thing I didnt mention, is I do think is OK to start the learning process early. I think introducing a youngster into shooting by teaching him the safety of firearms, why you shoot, etc... is alright. Again...I have no problems with someone giving their kid (like anyone is going to raise there kid based on my opinions
) a BB gun and going over the do's and don'ts of shooting and things of that nature. But videos like this....A 3 year old shootin an ar15....really?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGkRKT0Q-L4&feature=related
This is garbage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQM4I6D-7QI&feature=related
This is too young....let me lay weapons all over the table and let kids pick them up and play with them like there toys.... : |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCpwTKzu5sY
etc... etc...
*And again there is no date written in stone but 14 is my general guideline. it can very from kid to kid, but regardless 6 is too young for sure*
Last edited:
Edward429451
Moderator
I can't speak for others but at 5 & 6 my kids were shooting Mini-14 full prone off a rest. By age 12 they had loaded 44 mags and 22 pistols in their room.
Did I get lucky somehow? Hit the lotto? When my kids friends come over and went in their room...why didn't my kid shoot his friend with the 44 Mag? Why did he step outside the room and hand me the guns and say hey better put these up, one of my friends I'm not sure about...
Something must be different about my kids than the other guys kid. WHat in the world could it be?
What a tragedy that that 12 year old was NOT properly educated about firearms and firearm safety -- and had not spent enough time in the company of a responsible adult who cared about him and his safety to teach him good habits.
That story and others like it is EXACTLY the reason that I believe it is utterly irresponsible for any person with a firearm in the home to fail to educate their children about firearms, beginning from the age they are old enough to talk and continuing until they are out of the house.
pax
That story and others like it is EXACTLY the reason that I believe it is utterly irresponsible for any person with a firearm in the home to fail to educate their children about firearms, beginning from the age they are old enough to talk and continuing until they are out of the house.
pax
Edward....trusting any 12 year old with loaded pistols and rifles in their room is a FELONY in the state of NJ and will land you in prison.
How stupid can you be? Being a responsible parent about shooting is cool. Its your decision on how young you want your kids to be when they can shoot.
However,
There is absolutely no justifiable reason to have a loaded rifle and shotgun in a 12 year olds room. Only bad can come from it....
Not to mention you let his friends come over with loaded guns in the room and you let HIM make the decision of whether he should or should not lock them up.... wow....
How stupid can you be? Being a responsible parent about shooting is cool. Its your decision on how young you want your kids to be when they can shoot.
However,
There is absolutely no justifiable reason to have a loaded rifle and shotgun in a 12 year olds room. Only bad can come from it....
Not to mention you let his friends come over with loaded guns in the room and you let HIM make the decision of whether he should or should not lock them up.... wow....
Edward429451
Moderator
I know! isn't mature responsible children wonderful? I was very proud when they did that
All you have to do is pay attention to your kids, teach them...
Ok tell me what bad came from it? We had no tradjedies, my kids are grown now. Not even an AD/ND. My kids used to fight like cats and dogs. Not once did they pick up a gun or even joke or threaten to. wow. Was it something I said?
Folks...do not try this at home. Do not try to teach your children any common sense. Do not believe Massad Ayoob when he says there is no safety in ignorance, go ahead and lock them guns up! Don't do as I have done and put real guns and knowledge in your kids hands when they are young. I am a highly trained specialist and these were controlled conditions.
With the average IQ being about 95, a good age for children to start learning about guns is 27
All you have to do is pay attention to your kids, teach them...
Ok tell me what bad came from it? We had no tradjedies, my kids are grown now. Not even an AD/ND. My kids used to fight like cats and dogs. Not once did they pick up a gun or even joke or threaten to. wow. Was it something I said?
Folks...do not try this at home. Do not try to teach your children any common sense. Do not believe Massad Ayoob when he says there is no safety in ignorance, go ahead and lock them guns up! Don't do as I have done and put real guns and knowledge in your kids hands when they are young. I am a highly trained specialist and these were controlled conditions.
With the average IQ being about 95, a good age for children to start learning about guns is 27
Edward429451
Moderator
[QUOTEI believe it is utterly irresponsible for any person with a firearm in the home to fail to educate their children about firearms, beginning from the age they are old enough to talk and continuing until they are out of the house.
][/QUOTE]
Bingo. Above average IQ here
I have to give credit to Massad Ayoob for his book, Gunproof your kids. It came out about the time we had little ones so I read it and it convinced me that keeping the guns out of the kids hands until they 'are old enough' was a mistake and a start down the wrong path. CHildren <6 yrs old suck up information like a sponge, and will learn this stuff if given the chance. But you do have to stand up and take the different path than what the government has told you to take. Don't let people tell you how to raise your kids!
Do not think that giving my kids loaded handguns in their room was a casual decision. I put it off! I had lingering fears. I set them up to fail, to see if trust was worthy.
Do you people know that in Europe they teach certain classes to kids that in the US we don't get until college? Are europeans a different race? How can they learn this stuff before Americans can? Answer: They are given the chance to. The material is presented to them and they are allowed to try to learn it. They are not failed before they begin from a teacher with a closed mind
][/QUOTE]
Bingo. Above average IQ here
I have to give credit to Massad Ayoob for his book, Gunproof your kids. It came out about the time we had little ones so I read it and it convinced me that keeping the guns out of the kids hands until they 'are old enough' was a mistake and a start down the wrong path. CHildren <6 yrs old suck up information like a sponge, and will learn this stuff if given the chance. But you do have to stand up and take the different path than what the government has told you to take. Don't let people tell you how to raise your kids!
Do not think that giving my kids loaded handguns in their room was a casual decision. I put it off! I had lingering fears. I set them up to fail, to see if trust was worthy.
Do you people know that in Europe they teach certain classes to kids that in the US we don't get until college? Are europeans a different race? How can they learn this stuff before Americans can? Answer: They are given the chance to. The material is presented to them and they are allowed to try to learn it. They are not failed before they begin from a teacher with a closed mind