Parents: how/when to introduce children to guns

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have four kids. Each one had their own BB gun at age 5. In their teen years they all shot .22 to the .44 mag. with good precision. Now they are all in their twentys and love to shoot everytime we get together.
 
In my opinion, you start children with guns when they are interested in learning. There are things to learn before they can just grab a 22 rifle and head for the woods to shoot with their friends.

I think the real interest (rather than curiosity) starts around 7-10 years old when children are starting to see outside their little world at home. Essentially school attendance starts the awareness.

I started with a bb gun in the second grade. I had an older brother and we got bb guns at the same time. I don't recall any formalized safety training by my Dad, but I'm sure he kept an eye on us when we first started shooting. Moved to 22 rifles in later grade school years and owned one in 9th grade. My Dad would shoot with us from time to time, but for the most part we were on our own. We also hunted together and I'm sure that is where my Dad paid the most attention to our gun handling.

I'm pretty strict and would not do as my father did with my kids. But I would start them with BB guns as soon in grade school as they showed the appitude and interest. The world has changed somewhat.
 
as soon as they understand no. my nephew is almost two, and i have guns in my room so my room is off limits. although i have found him in there once trying to play with a shoty on the bed, i freaked out and was really glad he couldnt reach it. but he knows not to touch them anymore. as for trusting them with a gun, if you trust them with a 10 dollar bill to go by some milk, and nothing else. then there old enough to get a gun. this is how my dad got me my first gun.
 
My son is 10 months old, so I've a while to plan my strategy. I do have a follow-on question of sorts, however- how do you handle *other* people?

What do you teach a child of young age with respect to talking to friends, friends' parents, or teachers about firearms?
 
You should probably give kids a safety talk as soon as possible, tell them to always treat it as loaded, if you see one don't touch it, etc.
 
I second the safety talk. At first it is "Don't touch" and then it gets revised to proper handling. In general I wouldn't want my kids handling firearms at other homes until they were way old enough to understand what a firearm can do.
 
Introduce them at a very young age. The rule in our house is that they may look at them at any time - ONLY WITH DADDY OR MOMMY TO SUPERVISE! They may NOT do so otherwise.

They get to come to the range when they can demonstrate both safe handling of a firearm and FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS without having to repeat them! They simply MUST understand how serious a thing it is.

They get to actually shoot when they demonstrate good range manners a few times (3-4 times maybe).

Our son began coming to the range at age six, began shooting a 22LR (CZ 452) at age seven, and is now able to shoot a 9mm or small centerfire rifle at age 9.

ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT - do not push your child if they are not ready! SAFETY ALWAYS!!!
 
As Soon as they Begin to understand. Three or four years old. My son is a terrific shot but doesn't share the passion I do. To me that is fine. that passion will kick in at a later age. My daughter does just fine shooting a 45 ACP at the age of 16. They know for a fact that guns are not evil. they know that there is a difference between societical values and parental values and they are way different. I refuse to let society raise my two kids on any playing field.

They know how to shoot well and the functionality of most guns. I can't beat that with a stick.:)
 
As early as possible

Whenever they are really able to listen to you and follow instructions properly.
Click to expand...

Until they are old enough you tell them not to touch them. Once they are old enough, start with less lethal airguns, for example and move them up as they safely progress.

Shooter429
 
I didn't get to shoot my first gun until I was 7 and didn't get my first bb gun until I was 10.

My daughter got her first bb gun for her 4th birthday. I built us a small bb gun range behind my shop and we shoot out there at least once a week.

For Christmas, if I can get together the extra cash, she's going to get a Pink Cricket. She's 5 now.

She has shot my .22 Crackshot with great success, albeit she still needs help to hold it because I refuse to cut the stock and her arms are not quite long enough for proper placement.

She has also shot the Savage bolt action .22(don't feel like digging it out for the model). She does good with it, as long as it's benchrested, it's a bit heavy for her still.

She started hanging out with me while I was cleaning guns and asking a thousand questions. Now she's around everytime I get ready to clean and she lays out everything. She still has trouble with which brush is for which gun, but she's learning.

As for the bbgun, if she notices it's not in the safe she makes me open the safe and find a spot for it.

I mean, that's what she would do if I wouldn't have lost everything in a poker game I was playing with a Unicorn and Leprechaun.
 
My son being just less than a year old at this time has given me plenty of time to plan and prepare.

When he:

-starts asking questions about guns and why I own and carry them he'll get straighforward answers that are age appropriate with an emphasis on safety, following instruction correctly, ethics/morals and the duty to maintain the equipment.

-asks if he can handle and shoot them, he'll be given the "open door" treatment and permitted access to them whenever he asks, so long as it is reasonable, so that the guns are "demystified". While children do need limits, nothing is so tempting as that which is forbidden for no justifiable reason, especially to a child.

-wants to go shooting, I will make every effort that I can to honor his request and spend the quality time with him not only for the sake of shooting, but for the opportunity and benefit of introducing him to the shooting sports and imparting to him all the personal qualities that he should develop so that he can be the best man that he can be.

-asks why I CCW, both on- and off-duty, I will explain to him that it is because it is a God-given Human Right of all Free Men to defend themselves and those whom they love and cherish and that to forfeit these Rights because others are uncomfortable with them or don't believe in them is absolutely wrong.

-asks when he can have his first gun (within reason of course) it will be explained that all those that are mine are also his for the asking.

I can hardly wait to begin "corrupting" the little guy. :D :evil: So many toys, so little time...
 
Last edited:
My son is nine now. When he was about 3 or so he noticed daddy's revolver, so I took it down, unloaded, checked cleared and then showed it to him. He LOVED playing with the revolving spinning wheel as it was smooth and silent like a machine. He's grown up around them all his life and I've tried to make him realize that they are just tools, like handling power tools. They are an excellent servant and never get behind the power curve around them.

The rules in my home for my son regarding weapons.
  • If you want to see a gun, come get me and I'll show it to you.
  • While handling a weapon, pay attention. This is not a toy; it's a tool.
  • If you ever find a gun, leave it alone or come get me.
  • If you ever find a gun outside in a strange place, leave it be and come get me immediately.
  • If you have questions about weapons, I'll always answer them.
  • If someone ever asks you if we have guns, you say no and you tell me asap
He started shooting the 22 when he was seven. (After we had a nice demonstration of what a milk jug full of red food coloring getting shot with the caveat, "This is you if you do not respect that weapon")
 
There're are different levels of "exposure"

There's the basic safety.... "don't touch", similar to the wood stove, electric outlets, etc... This can (and should imo.) be done at a very young age... 3 or 4.

Then there's introduction to safe handling and shooting (starting with BB guns and working up.... is a good idea imo).

I think having a BB gun of their own is a good way to gage whether they are responsible enough to handle firearms or not. Just leaving Jr. to his own imagination can be a recipe for trouble though (this is how my Dad became very well aquainted with our local PD). Being involved with them and steering their shooting in a constructive direction will avoid this.

Then there's the first "real" gun of their own... My Dad made me complete the hunter's safety class before he let me take possesion of the break action 20 ga. I got for Christmas.

Demonstrated maturity is what you're looking for. Some kids mature earlier than others.

Now for my "not so humble" opinion....

anybody who posts parenting advice who hasn't either raised their kids or is in the process of raising kids has nothing credible to contribute to conversations like this.
 
It begins with one rule: you may touch this ONLY while I am physically holding it also (credit to my father-in-law for that one).

A weapon is never forbidden, never 'un-touchable', NOTHING is beyond your reach with my help: (NOTHING is--that is MY mandate and charge from the CREATOR-----MY trust---NOT to stand in your way and say 'no-no---YOU are TOO small--but to meet you where you are at---at your level and to teach you what I know as you are ready).

A funny thing, I was talking to my oldest child (she's five) about the "Christmas Story" movie today.
I asked her if she wanted a bb gun for Christmas. She found it funny.

She has a .22 Cricket we've been shooting since her last birthday--and an M-1 Garand that is hers. Her little sister will get her own Cricket next year--but her M-1 is also waiting patiently.

Probably age 9 or so on the M-1's (from the prone/ sandbag supported 'foxhole').

They can paint the stocks hot pink if they like, too.
 
I'd say 7-8 for a BB gun, 10-11 for a single shot .22 rifle/.410 shotgun.

My 3yo grandson loves toy guns. If he can't find a toy gun, he will put two sticks together and pretend it's a gun. The other day, he pointed to one of the statues on my trapshooting trophies and asked me: "Gwampa, is that you?". Then he asked me: "Gwampa, when I get bigger, will you teach me to shoot at the orange dishes that go up in the air?". "Yep, you bet I will Andrew." I almost teared up right there. I can't wait. Only one of my own daughters (not his mom) ever showed any interest in guns.
 
I taught mine at 5. I took them outside and they fired a bunch of .22 cal at a 2 x 12. When they were done the shattered board showed them what bullets do when they hit something. Even at 5 that demonstrated why they should never touch a gun without dad around.
My guns were always locked, but keep in mind that the neighbors have them as well, and theirs might not be where their kids can't get at them. I never had a problem as they grew up.
 
They should not even know you have them any younger.

Wow, I would beg to differ with you on that sir!

When weapons are dirty little secrets from your little ones they become the 'forbidden fruit' that they WILL discover one day.
 
No kidding, I don't try to hide anything from my daughters. I grew up in a somewhat sheltered environment and don't want my daughter to get caught up in what she sees on television.

There are very strict rules in place about the guns and she knows exactly what to do if anyone(teacher) asks about guns.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Children and guns
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
HighStrung
H
Trent
  • Locked
Teaching Children
Replies
6
Views
575
danez71
danez71
V
  • Locked
Its people and culture, not guns that are the problem
Replies
5
Views
375
Larry Ashcraft
Larry Ashcraft
G
  • Locked
KidsHealth.org: Gun Safety
Replies
12
Views
1K
zahc
Z
W
  • Locked
Children and Guns
2
Replies
36
Views
1K
Afy
A
Back
Top