SigLaw
Member
At what age did you start taking your kids with you to the range. My son is 7 and I think that is old enough to start shooting with dad, mom thinks otherwise. 
When did you start your kids.
When did you start your kids.
For those with kids
- Thread starter SigLaw
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Preacherman
Member
Well, my dad started me at age 5 - with lots of supervision, of course.
taxburdett
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I started taking my daughters when they were 6 and 7. It's two years down the road now and only my oldest daughter is still interested. She asks me everytime if she can have the Bushmaster when she's old enough. Yep, it'll be hers.
Sharps Shooter
Member
I don't really remember, but my kids were certainly introduced to guns and shooting by age 7. However, my situation is quite different than yours. For one thing, except for a vacation to Disneyland, my kids were never in Los Angeles. Besides, I only have daughters - 2 of them, and my wife is as much involved in the shooting sports as I am. 
I don't believe there is any specific age when kids should be taught about guns and shooting. It depends on a lot of things. The maturity of the child is one thing, but more importantly, I think it depends on the maturity and wisdom of the adult doing the teaching. I've always figured the earlier parents can satisfy the curiosity factor their kids have about guns, the safer the whole family will be. Also, my Dad taught hunter safety classes for the fish and game department for years. The law in Idaho is that kids can't take the hunter safety classes until age 12. I don't have a problem with that and neither did Dad - 12 is probably a reasonable age to start hunting. But the problem Dad did have, was the fact that a good many of the kids coming into the classes had never even held a gun. Their parents just seem to think that it's okay to wait until the kids turn 12, send them to a few nights of hunter safety classes, then turn them loose with a 30-06 for the fall hunting season. :banghead:
Another thing Dad always said was you can't wait until a kid's a teenager to teach them. He liked to say, "by that time, the kid knows it all." He was probably right. I knew it all when I was a teenager.
I don't believe there is any specific age when kids should be taught about guns and shooting. It depends on a lot of things. The maturity of the child is one thing, but more importantly, I think it depends on the maturity and wisdom of the adult doing the teaching. I've always figured the earlier parents can satisfy the curiosity factor their kids have about guns, the safer the whole family will be. Also, my Dad taught hunter safety classes for the fish and game department for years. The law in Idaho is that kids can't take the hunter safety classes until age 12. I don't have a problem with that and neither did Dad - 12 is probably a reasonable age to start hunting. But the problem Dad did have, was the fact that a good many of the kids coming into the classes had never even held a gun. Their parents just seem to think that it's okay to wait until the kids turn 12, send them to a few nights of hunter safety classes, then turn them loose with a 30-06 for the fall hunting season. :banghead:
Another thing Dad always said was you can't wait until a kid's a teenager to teach them. He liked to say, "by that time, the kid knows it all." He was probably right. I knew it all when I was a teenager.
Hot brass
Member
Bout 5 yrs of age, for both kids.
MICHAEL T
Member
My father started me at 6. I started each of my daugthers with their own BB gun at 6. and with 22's at 8.
rdbrowning
Member
I started talking to my kids about safety as soon as I thought they were old enough to understand NO. At about 4 my son knew that you need to open the action on a shotgun before you picked it up, he knew how to do it, and he did it without prompting, just from watching me and my brothers. A few weeks ago my grandson, two at the time, was talking to his great Grandma and something on TV was said about guns. He told her that "guns are for Grandpa, don't touch". I was happy that what I had been telling him had sunk in. Even if he isn't potty trained yet, he is beginning to understand gun safety. Now if we could just get him to understand what the toilet is for.
Some feel that you need to wait untel they are old enough to understand it all before you start teaching anything. I thing you just start at the very basics very early. Would you wait until your child understood thermodynamics before teaching them not to touch a hot stove? Why wait with something even deadlier?
As soon as my grandson learns the finer points of toiletry he will get to shoot MY BB gun. I stays in MY safe and only I bring it out. He will learn the basics while the gun is in my hands and my arms are wrapped around him. It will be small steps, but never under estimate the ability of a little one to learn a whole lot more than you think possible. If you doubt it, give a kid a new video game and see how long it takes them to master it.
Some feel that you need to wait untel they are old enough to understand it all before you start teaching anything. I thing you just start at the very basics very early. Would you wait until your child understood thermodynamics before teaching them not to touch a hot stove? Why wait with something even deadlier?
As soon as my grandson learns the finer points of toiletry he will get to shoot MY BB gun. I stays in MY safe and only I bring it out. He will learn the basics while the gun is in my hands and my arms are wrapped around him. It will be small steps, but never under estimate the ability of a little one to learn a whole lot more than you think possible. If you doubt it, give a kid a new video game and see how long it takes them to master it.
My children were all shooting by the time they were 8. My oldest granddaughter started shooting my .41RemMag loaded with primer only and wax bullets when she was 4, killed her first deer at 7 and still hunts and shoots with me now that she is 17. Second oldest granddaughter started with wax bullets on her last birthday (6th) and shoots at my house 2 weekends a month. BTY I have 7 grandkids all girls. The next two in line have already let me know that they both expect to shoot Poppa’s guns at their birthday (their 6th also). I will be a lucky man indeed to have four granddaughters in the field with me on opening day of deer season in a few years.
For me 7 was more than old enough for these kids. Only you can judge if that age is old enough for your child. If you and the Mrs. are feuding about this nothing that we say here on this board will change her mind. Only you and the child will be able to convince her that he/she is ready at any age.
For me 7 was more than old enough for these kids. Only you can judge if that age is old enough for your child. If you and the Mrs. are feuding about this nothing that we say here on this board will change her mind. Only you and the child will be able to convince her that he/she is ready at any age.
armoredman
Member
My son went to the range in his stroller, and learned to sleep through gunfire. He loves going, but I haven't let him shoot yet - I don't have anything suitable for a 4 year old. He has a toy pistol he is learning safety with, and he sees our guns all the time. He has had the opportunity to handle them unloaded, and under our immediate and strict supervision, so the mystery is gone. When he gets into our room, following us in there, never by himself, he ignores the Mosin M38 parked in the corner by the bed. He has held it before, so there is no mystery to solve....and he has seen the fireball....
My youngest daughter is 3 1/2 and has been out twice; the latest was last Saturday. While her 2 older sisters were focused on popping a ground squirrel with their own .22's that kept popping in & out of its hole, she would fire off some rounds & say "Daddy, can we shoot again?" The older 2 started about 4 or 5 & got their own rifles when they turned 7. My oldest has her own Ruger Youth Model in .260 Rem.
Sam
Sam
Brass Balls
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I think my son was 6 or maybe 7 when I started him out on a Ruger 10/22 rifle and Browning Buckmark pistol. After we went shooting several times I took him out to shoot some pumpkins left over from Halloween. That was really a good lesson for him about the lethal power of guns that he didn't understand from shooting paper. After shooting them with the .22 I shot them with a .45 ACP and a .308 rifle.
I think that the shooting is just a small part of the equation compared to the safety instruction and trust building between a father and kid.
I think that the shooting is just a small part of the equation compared to the safety instruction and trust building between a father and kid.
I have four children. My 3-year-old has not fired a rifle yet. My 5-year-old has shot a few times starting when he was four. I aimed while he pulled the trigger. The seven and 9-year-olds both started around six. The nine-year-old daughter will start firing in my club’s small-bore match next month. My wife is not the biggest fan of guns, but she has been fine with it.
YammyMonkey
Member
If the wife is not to into taking Jr. out you might be better off taking her out and getting her involved in shooting if she isn't already. My wife always had a good attitude toward shooting from the start but was hesitant about letting a 5yo around guns. Now as far as she's concerned the sooner the better. My first booger picker is due mid Aug. so I'm going to have to start thinking about this pretty soon as well.
I'm with Armoredman, I've take my son to the range twice in his stroller. The first time he slept right through with earplugs in and earmuffs over them. The second time he was awake but never frightened by the gunfire.
As soon as his mother and I deem him responsible and cautious enough to handle a live firearm, he'll be beside me on the range instead of behind me.
the picture below is him at right around 3 months with his (l-r)grandpa, daddy, uncle and his other "uncle"
-chenzzo
As soon as his mother and I deem him responsible and cautious enough to handle a live firearm, he'll be beside me on the range instead of behind me.
the picture below is him at right around 3 months with his (l-r)grandpa, daddy, uncle and his other "uncle"
-chenzzo
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Jake
Member
Started my oldest when she was 5. I may or may not start the other three around that age depending on their level of maturity when they get that old. Currently they are ages four, three and three (yep, the youngest are twins).
Of the three I'm pretty sure the boys (the four year old and one of the twins) will be interested in shooting. The other twin may not be however. Unless I can find a gun with jewelry attached to it. Even at three years old she is the most "girly" female I have ever met.
Of the three I'm pretty sure the boys (the four year old and one of the twins) will be interested in shooting. The other twin may not be however. Unless I can find a gun with jewelry attached to it. Even at three years old she is the most "girly" female I have ever met.
SigLaw
Member
Thanks for the input, I appreciate the insight.
OBXMIKE
Member
Started Mick at 6 with handguns, on my knee helping to steady aim. Wife wasn't all that happy about it, but she finally agreed that if you take away the mystique and satisfy thier curiosity and educate them in the responsibilities, dangers and safety of proper use of firearms, you are far ahead of the game.
I bought him his own bb gun at 7, and have a bearcat that is "his" gun for when we go out plinking pepsi cans. Fits his hand good!!
Children are naturally curious, so again, take away the mystery, instill safety, and show them what happens to a pumpkin when a 300gr .44 mag hits it at 1350 fps!!! That'll get thier attention!
Best,
Mike
I bought him his own bb gun at 7, and have a bearcat that is "his" gun for when we go out plinking pepsi cans. Fits his hand good!!
Children are naturally curious, so again, take away the mystery, instill safety, and show them what happens to a pumpkin when a 300gr .44 mag hits it at 1350 fps!!! That'll get thier attention!
Best,
Mike
I started my two girls when they were 4 and 6. At first the four year old just came along to watch and occasionally, pull the trigger while daddy held the .22 rifle....
But about 5 1/2 years old, she started doing it all by herself.
They will be 7 & 9 this July and August, and both handle .22 rifle's just fine all by themselves...
The 9 year old loves the MP5, but it is still too heavy for the 7 year old.
Start em EARLY... you can always have them just watch until they feel they are ready to do it themselves...
Oh, and get reactive targets... my girls don't enjoy paper targets... but they love watermelons, shook up soda cans, clay pigeons, army men, etc....
Semper Fidelis,
Kent
But about 5 1/2 years old, she started doing it all by herself.
They will be 7 & 9 this July and August, and both handle .22 rifle's just fine all by themselves...
The 9 year old loves the MP5, but it is still too heavy for the 7 year old.
Start em EARLY... you can always have them just watch until they feel they are ready to do it themselves...
Oh, and get reactive targets... my girls don't enjoy paper targets... but they love watermelons, shook up soda cans, clay pigeons, army men, etc....
Semper Fidelis,
Kent
Master Blaster
Member
Both my Kids started at age 6, my son who is soon turning 7 has been at it since October last year, my daughter age 8 has been at it since age 6.
I bought them a savage cub bolt action single shot .22lr, it has a peep sight and now wears a 4x compact rimfire scope. They both shoot pretty well at 50 yards with it.
The tough part is finding a firearm that fits them and is safe for them to handle and fire. I really enjoy reading about the kids who can handle a full sized rifle and revolver at age 4,5,6. All I can say is your kids must have some really big hands and extra long arms, and be very strong for their age. I have found that my children needed a very small youth rifle in order to be able to mount the stock to their shoulder and reach the trigger to pull it while using the sights to aim. A 10/22 carbine (smallest model) is still too big for my 8 year old daughter LOP and weight wise. neither child is yet ready for a handgun because they cant pull the trigger and aim on any revolver I own (including an airweight kit gun j frame model 43) double action.
My daughter can almost handle the .22lr ruger single 6, and the j-frame if cocked to fire single action. I will probably wait another year before she fires a handgun.
The good news is that they enjoy going to the 22 range and shooting their rifle. I highly recommend the savage cub for the begining shooter. Both children have learned safe gun handling and good marksmanship with it so far.
I bought them a savage cub bolt action single shot .22lr, it has a peep sight and now wears a 4x compact rimfire scope. They both shoot pretty well at 50 yards with it.
The tough part is finding a firearm that fits them and is safe for them to handle and fire. I really enjoy reading about the kids who can handle a full sized rifle and revolver at age 4,5,6. All I can say is your kids must have some really big hands and extra long arms, and be very strong for their age. I have found that my children needed a very small youth rifle in order to be able to mount the stock to their shoulder and reach the trigger to pull it while using the sights to aim. A 10/22 carbine (smallest model) is still too big for my 8 year old daughter LOP and weight wise. neither child is yet ready for a handgun because they cant pull the trigger and aim on any revolver I own (including an airweight kit gun j frame model 43) double action.
My daughter can almost handle the .22lr ruger single 6, and the j-frame if cocked to fire single action. I will probably wait another year before she fires a handgun.
The good news is that they enjoy going to the 22 range and shooting their rifle. I highly recommend the savage cub for the begining shooter. Both children have learned safe gun handling and good marksmanship with it so far.
My mother started me shooting when I was six with a Ruger Bearcat.
I still have that pistol, and it has been the first firearm for several nieces and a nephew, all between the ages of six and ten.
Should I ever have offspring, when they are mature enough, that little pistol will start them out, too.
LawDog
I still have that pistol, and it has been the first firearm for several nieces and a nephew, all between the ages of six and ten.
Should I ever have offspring, when they are mature enough, that little pistol will start them out, too.
LawDog
M2 Carbine
member
I don't have kids but I started teaching my friend's kids to shoot pistols at about age 6.
His youngest boy, age, almost 6, has been going to my range with us for a couple years. He carries his cap guns and we have been teaching him proper gun safety all along.
A couple weeks ago I started him shooting a Beretta 22, at 4-5 yards.
His brothers could pass the Texas concealed carry course, with that little Beretta, with a score in the 240's/250 almost before they could pull back the slide on that little pistol.
I use the Beretta because the kids can chamber a round with the tip up barrel.
His youngest boy, age, almost 6, has been going to my range with us for a couple years. He carries his cap guns and we have been teaching him proper gun safety all along.
A couple weeks ago I started him shooting a Beretta 22, at 4-5 yards.
His brothers could pass the Texas concealed carry course, with that little Beretta, with a score in the 240's/250 almost before they could pull back the slide on that little pistol.
I use the Beretta because the kids can chamber a round with the tip up barrel.
Greg L
Member
The oldest started when he was about 7, the middle about 4, & the youngest about 1 (can you tell they are three years apart ). They started shooting by themselves (at the range, on the line, holding the rifle themselves - parent right next to them) at 5-6 (as opposed to "dad can I pull the trigger?" where I would do all the aiming & holding).
Start them young as it takes all the mystery out of guns. If they know that they will be able to use them at the range then there is little need to sneak them out back & shoot something that they aren't supposed to.
). They started shooting by themselves (at the range, on the line, holding the rifle themselves - parent right next to them) at 5-6 (as opposed to "dad can I pull the trigger?" where I would do all the aiming & holding).Start them young as it takes all the mystery out of guns. If they know that they will be able to use them at the range then there is little need to sneak them out back & shoot something that they aren't supposed to.
jefnvk
Member
I don't remember a time without guns. One of my earliest memories was shutting my finger in the pumping mechanism of an old Daisy Pump BB Gun.
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