Wow, I can see this is heating up, but allow me to make a point or two and hopefully not draw too much heat because of it.
I do agree that an organized range is not the best place to take a child; however, like I stated above, my child has, does and will again go shooting with us. The US is the key word there, we are a family of shooters and shooting is a family event. We do not let her run rampant, chase butterfies, pick up pine cones, or go squeeling off into the night like little girls like to do when we are shooting. We do not go to organized ranges. We only go to safe areas, away from other people out on public land. Somtimes the desert, somtimes to the pine trees. While shooting is comenced, at least one adult is with her at all times. Usually in the back of the truck with her toys or in the vehicle with somone reading to her or letting her "color" on her books. She is never alone and unsupervised. When we feel it is OK to give her some exposure, ALL of the adults stop shooting and I let her hold what ever it is while I manipulate the action. As soon as we are done shooting, the guns are secured out of her reach, the ammo is usually seperated in a different vehicle and then we let her be a kid and explore nature.
As posted in a different thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=158886
"Sounds like another case for education. TEACH your kids. Take the mystery away."
I was raised with guns, I am raising my child with guns. I do not want her to be affraid of them or not feel confident in her ability to use one if needed. Additionally, I do not want her be the "currious kid so I have to play with it" child. By the time she is older, she will have more understanding about guns and the potential harm one can cause with them not too mention a deeper reaspect and more developed skillset than most adults I see out there today.
Just my .22 caliber bullets worth.
Now please bear with me while put on a pair of nomex undies.