Should kids take up shooting as a sport?

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cloudedice

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I stumbled upon a parenting blog on tampabay.com's website where the author was asking about a relevant topic. (Before you ask, a picture of a revolver on the front page caught my eye.)

Anyways, one of the writers has an 11 year old son who went shooting with the Boy Scouts. One of the instructors suggested that he join the junior rifle club nearby. The son is excited but the mom is on the fence.

She sounds like she could be swayed to our side if the wind was strong enough. Perhaps a few of us could tip her?

http://blogs.tampabay.com/moms/2009/05/should-kids-take-up-shooting-as-a-sport-.html
 
absolutely, learning about firearms takes all of the mystery out of them cutting down on the foolishness. I also believe in teaching children about the properties of fire, and water safety is high on my list. How about teaching teenager about car safety. Oh, we already do this swimming lessons, drivers Ed., and the fire department goes to every elementary school in the land yearly to teach. who in there right mind wouldn't teach gun safety?
 
So long as they have a good teacher and are not just figuring things out on their own, yes. At 11 years old I had killed several deer, and other four legged critters, and had more than one gun hanging on the gun rack in my room.
 
"Should kids take up shooting as a sport?"

If they WANT to. It is OUR job to make them WANT to by taking them shooting.
 
With proper supervision, absolutely. Guns instill dicipline and respect, they get rewarded as their skill increases, tiny groups on target.:)
 
Should kids take up shooting as a sport?
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If there is to be any hope for the 2A existing in the future, then yes. My father started me at age 5, I started my nephew at age 6, and plan on starting my own kids around the same time.

When it comes to kids and guns, ignorance is not bliss. Teach them well and start early. Even if they don't fall in love with it, it will teach them safety and respect for firearms.
 
How about teaching teenager about car safety. Oh, we already do this swimming lessons, drivers Ed., and the fire department goes to every elementary school in the land yearly to teach. who in there right mind wouldn't teach gun safety?
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He didn't ask whether we should teach children gun safety. He asked whether kids should take up shooting as a sport. Nobody takes up fire safety as a sport.

Any sport takes up a lot of time and possibly money. There is only so much time in a kid's day, so if he/she is involved in one sport, that's less time he/she will be able to spend in another sport. My advice is to offer kids plenty of opportunities to try out many different sports and see what they take to. Some kids may not like shooting and others may love it, but all of them should at least be give the opportunity to decide for themselves.
 
I was raised by my mother. There was never a gun in the house, until a friend and his father got me interested in target shooting. I borrowed a rifle at first and for my 16th birthday Mom gave me a J.C. Higgins bolt action .22lr.. I know the whole idea made her nervous but she did not hold me back from my interest. Thanks Mom. I hope all the young people out there with an interest in the shooting sports will have the good fortune to be around parents friends or scout leaders who will help and guide them.


Note; all of the above took place before there was electricity, phones, tv or radio or Puff Daddy.
 
ABSOLFRIGGINLUTELY!

If they join a competition team there are high odds that they'll be able to get to a national championship match. It's VERY possible.
 
If taught properly,the younger the better. I got my first shotgun at 10 and my first high powered rifle at 12. I would love to see gun safety and sport shooting taught in our schools. Why keep it a mystery. Guns are a reality that needs to be dealt with in a positive way.
 
All children should be taught basic gun safety. As far as taking shooting up as a sport, that is up to the child. I have 2 boys, both grown now. One asked at 13 if I would teach him how to shoot pistols. He was the athlete of the family. So I told him I would teach if he wanted to learn. He took to it and shot competitively for about 3 years before putting it on the back burner for other things. The other son has never had an interest in shooting. If you hand him a gun he can handle it safely. But then he will hand it back. Just doesn't have an interest. He is the bookworm/scholar/musician. He runs, but other than that, sports stuff just doesn't interest him. Different tastes, different kids. That's OK. They are living their lives and pursuing their dreams, not mine.
 
My standard answer for this sort of question is: which kid?

Most of my experience, both as a kid and with kids, has been very positive, but I must admit that there are people of all ages who are not and likely never will be capable of safely handling a firearm.
 
When I was a kid shooting was something we did ever since we were about ten years old. Shot my first .22 at about six or seven (with my dad of course). By the time my buddies and I were thirteen we had our own .22 rifles and I had a nine shot J.C. Higgins .22 revolver. As far as I am concearned kids should learn early because it teaches them responsibility, safety and makes them a pretty darn good shot by the time they are old enough to buy one of their own.
 
Of course. Haha I really wouldn't expect anyone on this forum to really say no. But yes, its a good idea to at least give them some level of exposure, especially when you can control it and be therre to supervise what happens. Its similar to alcohol, where kids will pretty much all drink anyway. Its those who were given the opportunity by their parents who grew up where it wasnt taboo. They are the ones who are safer with drinking once they get freedom from parental control.
Firearms are the same way. When you are always told no, especially as a young kid, you get curious and try harder to do it.

Might I suggest, if the mother is really worried about it, maybe start him off with a BB gun? not nearly as dangerous but still lots of fun for a little kid. I remember (lol still have, found it while cleaning my closet) my old bb gun. got it around 6 or 7 probably.
 
Statistically speaking, a kid is far more likely to be injured playing a more mainstream sport like football or basketball. If the kid has an interest in taking up shooting, I'd be all for it.

However, it's my opinion that kids should learn to shoot in a structured environment overseen by a competent coach. 4H, Boy Scouts, NRA, and USA Shooting all have junior shooting programs that would fit the bill.
 
Depends on the shooting sport and depends on the kid. One of my friends loves to shoot anything over 100 yards with scoped handguns and rifles. I like to just get out and shoot whether practicing action pistol, plinking with my 22's, skeet shooting when i get the chance.

Anything that reacts is fun when shooting with kids. silhouette shooting has become really popular. plinking and steel shoots would be fun for kids, but i'm pretty sure most of the ranges around me don't allow anyone under 14 in competitions.

I think any kid should learn to calm themsleves enough to shoot bottle caps at 100 yards with a 22.
 
A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 19, 1785
 
Definately!!! I loved being on a rifle team. A few years back (lets just say over 40), my parents decided that the local MilitarySchool would be good for me as it was for my my Dad. There was rifle team tryouts and luckily I made it and for the next 4 years, it was great. It teaches you disipline in many different areas. He will learn a lot about himself and gain confidencetoo. If he is lucky and gives it effort he may get to go to some 1000 yard matches that are just impressive. Finally it gives him a sport that he can enjoy for many,many years. It will open a whole different world of opprotunites if he wants to do it. It Does require a effort and dedication.
 
Yes, if the kids want to. I would have loved to take up competitive shooting as a youngster. Teaches safety, teamwork, responsibility... blah... blah... blah. That's great for us geezers but not what boys and girls are looking for.

Kids love shooting because it's so cool. Better gadgets than skateboarding. Madder skilz than video games. There's even a chance to go to the Olympics. How cool is that?
 
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