Need advice on teenage shooter

Are there organizations that have ongoing firearms safety and training for young people?
I have a young friend, Tomm ( age 16 or 17), who I have taken shooting with me 4-5 times. He wants to buy a rifle when he turns 18. He comes from a non-shooting family and is very "green" about gun safety and shooting. I will continue to help him when I can, but I would really like to see him get involved with one or more ongoing programs. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Check with the NRA.

There are lots of NRA affiliated youth shooting programs that provide structured training.

A lot of ranges have "intro to shooting" classes where basic instruction is given & the student has the opportunity to try out various types of firearms.

Beyond that bare bones type of basic instruction though, the NRA programs are quite good if you can find one in your area. My boy's Scout Troop just started working on the NRA Light Rifle progam this past Monday. It looks like it should work very well as even though they are shooting as a group, each boy is advancing on their own individual level at their own pace.

RM--good on you bringing a youngster in to the shooting fraternity. Regarding training: Does MD have a Hunter Safety Course requirement for new hunters buying a license? If so, that might be a good way to go. When my #1 son did his Hunter Safety, I went along and enrolled as a student too--only time he ever asked for help w/his homework. We had some good quality time together being HS students. :)

Consider finding a local range that conduct junior smallbore rifle or pistol competitions as well. Those places are usually happy to have a new shooter to teach.

Maryland has a strong 4-H program for rifles. What county do you live in?

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your replies. I am in Baltimore County.

I am in Baltimore County.

My sympathies.

Could be worse, Baltimore City. I lived there for 8 years.

Baltimore County does have a team contact the extension agent listed at this site. http://www.agnr.umd.edu/

Looking at last years 4-H state match score Baltimore County has a respectable team. I was on the Queen Anne team twenty+ years ago.

If you need more information, my Dad is still a coach for Queen Anne and might be able to answer your question.

Are the Parents Anti, or just non-shooters?
It would be nice to try to get them involved as well, even if only peripherally.

Are the Parents Anti, or just non-shooters?
It would be nice to try to get them involved as well, even if only peripherally.

At 16 they will probably have to sign permission slips for any organized training anyways, so i would imagine they are OK with it.

Yes, I am sure they would sign permission slips for their son. It is unlikely that they would get interested in shooting as a result of Tomm's interest.