Taking my little sister shooting tomorrow

[Jiggle]

My sister turned 10 yesterday and I decided it's time to take her out shooting. I figure I'll go over basic firearm-related terms, teach her how guns work, explain all of the safely rules and then give her a little trigger time.

Do you guys think it would be too soon to start explaining to her the personal responsibility side of gun ownership (ie; the reasons why she should become proficient with firearms, the legal ins and outs, and the fact the only she is responsible for her keeping herself safe)?

I would love to dive right into this, as I've been waiting for quite a while to find someone to share my passion with. However, I don't want to overwhelm her and make her lose interest. I'm not trying to get her into the shooting sports, but I do feel it is my responsibility to educate her at least on the basics. After that if she never wants to shoot again, I won't make her.

How did you guys with children/siblings handle this?

 

[Packman]

Nah, take her out shooting first, make sure she has a blast, and invite her along again. talking is for the ride home, the cleaning session after, dinner, and then anytime it comes up after that. Don't force it, 10 is pretty young for that kind of high level stuff, and the last thing you want to do is spout off complicated stuff that'll confuse or scare her.

Reactive targets are your friend. Bring guns for her, don't spend the time shooting for you.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Do you guys think it would be too soon to start explaining to her the personal responsibility side of gun ownership (ie; the reasons why she should become proficient with firearms, the legal ins and outs, and the fact the only she is responsible for her keeping herself safe)?

Basic safety rules are more than sufficient for now. Concentrate on having fun.

Perhaps a demonstration of, for example, a high-powered rifle on a watermelon or pumpkin, to understand the consequences of being unsafe?

 

[Packman]

Perhaps a demonstration of, for example, a high-powered rifle on a watermelon or pumpkin, to understand the consequences of being unsafe?

I've got to disagree. stick with .22 LR, keep it fun, or she'll never be back. I've seen it happen. Don't, for her sake, scare her.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Stick with the basic shooting mechanics and gun safety with a .22 LR; make it fun.

Now you might run into problems when your younger sister plays WWII videogames and wants to shoot your Garand and K98!

 

[Jiggle]

I thought of shooting a watermelon with a 12 gauge slug (always fun) just to make sure that she understands the forces that's we're dealing with. Of course I'll do the shooting with the 12 gauge, not her.

 

[Cougfan2]

Congrats. Your little Sis has a good big brother.

Oops, my sexism is showing by assuming you're a man. Your little Sis has a good mentor. Fixed it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Good News

as I will be taking my 31 year old daughter shooting this Saturday, 1 MAR 08~!

 

[PotatoJudge]

Focus on safety and having fun. For a kid, rule #1 is muzzle control, then keeping the finger off the trigger and simple range rules (always stand behind the shooter). The fewer rules you give her the more likely she'll be able to master them. Make sure she's got ear and eye protection. Keep the range short and make the target big. If you're going to be shooting pistols, get her her own holster (as a mater of safety, she'll always know what to do with the gun when she's not shooting it i.e., don't wave it around).

 

[Jiggle]

I appreciate the advice everyone. And yes, I am her brother, not sister. I actually don't even own a .22LR. I was going to let her use my pellet guns and possibly borrow a friend's .22. But now I think I'll just go pick up a $100 used .22 tomorrow. I've been wanting one anyway.

 

[SASS#23149]

Since she's a beginner,make that used .22 a bolt action,and pick one that will fit her stature if possible.you don't want a newbie to have to learn the ins and outs of a semi on their 1st trip.
I remember as a very young lad ,How HUGE my Dad's Marlin .22 lever gun seemed to me.

Keep the 'education' limited to safety and manual of arms for no,imho.

and of course,TAKE PICS !

 

[alaskagunner]

Get a few of those "shoot and see" type targets. You know the ones called orange peel that explode in a bright color? Keep it safe. Keep it fun. If she's being safe and having fun tell her how great it was to go shooting with her. She'll want to go again and again.

You're a good brother.

 

[Starter52]

+1 to PotatoJudge. I couldn't have said it better.

Remember the ear protection. Others at the range might be shooting guns much louder than pellet guns or .22s.

Good luck.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I took my sister out for the first time a year or two ago. She was a bit older, 17-18 probably. We started at home with my .380 (all my rifles were at college, and we were going to a handgun only range. My friend was bringing his .22) unloaded, just for basic operation and safety. That lesson was about an hour, and I was a bit more stern since she was old enough to understand. The 4 rules stuck with her very well. I was HUGE on trigger discipline and muzzle discipline. When we got to the range, she started on my friend's .22LR semiauto, and actually shot it better than I do. She had a lot of fun, but I don't think she really got into it.

For now with your sister, safety, safety, safety. And a large measure of fun. Exploding fruit is always a crowd pleaser.