SorenityNow
Member
Hello everyone. Im a proud gun owner and learned alot through other gun people. My family never brought me up around guns. So what is a safe age to introduce gun safety to my young ones in my family?. Thanks for your feedback
what age should I teach gun safety?
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tdstout
Member
If you're talking about letting them shoot, I got my first .22 when I was 5, and plan to give my unborn kid one when he is 5 too. Any younger than that, all they need to know is that it is dangerous and to not touch it. Teach them that as soon as they understand what you're saying.
El Mariachi
Member
Yesterday.....
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
First off -- congrats on being a concerned and responsible parent! This is a very important question.
My principles on the matter are these:
1) Never, ever hide your guns or your shooting habits/hobbies/activities from your children. Always be completely open with them and answer any question and allow access any time they show interest -- no matter how young. Every time a kid wants to know something -- tell them. Every time they want to touch a gun, help them to do so (safely). Hiding things just screws up what should be a wonderful part of your relationship, and sets the stage for confusion, mistrust, and sneaking around as they get older.
2) Every opportunity to answer a question and help them to touch and explore your guns is a critical teaching moment to instill the four safety rules. Show them your own rigorous safety practices, teach them to follow the same, and GUN-proof your kids, rather than trying to KID-proof your guns.
3) Shooting can start as soon as the kid shows interest. My daughter and oldest son were both pulling triggers at age 3. I say "pulling triggers" as they were sitting in my lap, with my arms around them and my hands over theirs, controlling the firearms. But they wanted to, they were not scared (and certainly were not PUSHED into it), and making the guns go bang was always a reward for being able to recite a safety rule or two. FIND SAFETY GEAR THAT'S KID-SIZED! It is available, pretty easily these days, and must fit them well to do its job.
4) Everything is at the child's pace. No reason to rush or push them into shooting, or to make them continue at it for one second longer than their interest and enthusiasm holds out. Better to leave 'em wanting more than to tire them out, bore them, or (heaven forbid) make them frightened or hurt by the guns.
My principles on the matter are these:
1) Never, ever hide your guns or your shooting habits/hobbies/activities from your children. Always be completely open with them and answer any question and allow access any time they show interest -- no matter how young. Every time a kid wants to know something -- tell them. Every time they want to touch a gun, help them to do so (safely). Hiding things just screws up what should be a wonderful part of your relationship, and sets the stage for confusion, mistrust, and sneaking around as they get older.
2) Every opportunity to answer a question and help them to touch and explore your guns is a critical teaching moment to instill the four safety rules. Show them your own rigorous safety practices, teach them to follow the same, and GUN-proof your kids, rather than trying to KID-proof your guns.
3) Shooting can start as soon as the kid shows interest. My daughter and oldest son were both pulling triggers at age 3. I say "pulling triggers" as they were sitting in my lap, with my arms around them and my hands over theirs, controlling the firearms. But they wanted to, they were not scared (and certainly were not PUSHED into it), and making the guns go bang was always a reward for being able to recite a safety rule or two. FIND SAFETY GEAR THAT'S KID-SIZED! It is available, pretty easily these days, and must fit them well to do its job.
4) Everything is at the child's pace. No reason to rush or push them into shooting, or to make them continue at it for one second longer than their interest and enthusiasm holds out. Better to leave 'em wanting more than to tire them out, bore them, or (heaven forbid) make them frightened or hurt by the guns.
SorenityNow
Member
Right well said. Kids are curious and even though the guns are lock and safe, there is always that chance. I dont suspect they know about a gun in the house but they sure know how to aim and shoot a toy squirt gun and im not sure where they picked that up from. Squirt gun or real gun it doesnt seem much a diff to a child that doesnt know. What age do yiu teach your childeren not to touch?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
That is part of the very first discussions, at whatever age the kids shows any cognizance or interest. For my kids that's generally been at around age 3.
And the message is not "DON'T TOUCH!" The message is, "Don't touch without Daddy or Mommy here to keep you safe. If you ever want to touch, just ask."
M2 Carbine
member
Start teaching them about gun safety (don't touch) as soon as they can understand the concept.
Continue teaching them safety until they themselves become safe shooters.
Continue teaching them safety until they themselves become safe shooters.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Sam, you pretty much laid out the exact way my father taught my brother and I. The guns were never put away out of sight. Hell, in the 70s and 80s, they weren't even in a gun cabinet. They were in the corners of the closets, and in the corners of his bedroom. Most of them were loaded. But we knew not to touch. Any questions we had were answered and anytime we wanted to handle one, he would unload it and hand it to us, with him right there of course. I started shooting .22s and an old single barrel .410 when I was about 7 years old.
I tried to duplicate this method with my daughter. Now my guns aren't all over the house, they are in a locked cabinet, but she can look at any one she wishes. She got her own .22 for her 6th birthday. It goes without saying that it stays in the cabinet with the rest.
But the main thing is, we talked about it anytime she wanted to. When she was 6 she could recite the 4 rules and for a while I would make her recite them before I handed her her .22. Now she hangs out with me in the man cave, loading rounds. She wants to cast with me, but there's no way I'm letting her near a lead pot just yet. However, after lubing, she loves to run them through the sizer die for me.
I've gone on about mine long enough I reckon. To answer your question, the right time to introduce them to it is the moment they inquire about guns. There is no certain age. The key is to make it where it's not a mystery. You won't have to worry about them going behind your back if you do it with them anytime they want. There was never a need for me to sneak around behind my dad's back because all I had to do was say, "Hey pops, can I see the 12-gauge?"
Hope this helps.
I tried to duplicate this method with my daughter. Now my guns aren't all over the house, they are in a locked cabinet, but she can look at any one she wishes. She got her own .22 for her 6th birthday. It goes without saying that it stays in the cabinet with the rest.
But the main thing is, we talked about it anytime she wanted to. When she was 6 she could recite the 4 rules and for a while I would make her recite them before I handed her her .22. Now she hangs out with me in the man cave, loading rounds. She wants to cast with me, but there's no way I'm letting her near a lead pot just yet. However, after lubing, she loves to run them through the sizer die for me.
I've gone on about mine long enough I reckon. To answer your question, the right time to introduce them to it is the moment they inquire about guns. There is no certain age. The key is to make it where it's not a mystery. You won't have to worry about them going behind your back if you do it with them anytime they want. There was never a need for me to sneak around behind my dad's back because all I had to do was say, "Hey pops, can I see the 12-gauge?"
Hope this helps.
mortablunt
Member
Always create a culture of safety around guns. Start by always practicing safe proper handling, especially in front of children. Teach formal gun safety so soon as they can use logic, understand fantasy from reality, and converse in complete sentences.
Don't hide the guns and shooting from your children. Children are drawn to anything forbidden. That's seven-eights the fun in swearing when you're 6 years old. I was raised in a house where all the wine, beer, and spirits were always openly visible and never kept forbidden or mysterious. I never felt the need to be drunk or sneak liquor. If I wanted a drink, I requested it and got approval. The same should be with firearms.
Don't hide the guns and shooting from your children. Children are drawn to anything forbidden. That's seven-eights the fun in swearing when you're 6 years old. I was raised in a house where all the wine, beer, and spirits were always openly visible and never kept forbidden or mysterious. I never felt the need to be drunk or sneak liquor. If I wanted a drink, I requested it and got approval. The same should be with firearms.
SorenityNow
Member
Thank you. I really needed a quick response and got it. I feel my niece is curious about guns. But i think she is curious from what she may have seen from another family members house.. So ill have a talk with them and her . She now almost in the 1st grade. She lives with me but i get concerned when she is with a friend or family members house. Maybe I'm worrying for no good reason at all. Sometimes kids say the craziest things.
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DirtyHarry31
Member
I agree with Sam 100% on All his points about guns & the family. My boys were taught when they were young, at 5 & 3. Took them out to shoot, showed them all safety issues with firearms, then I shot the pistol showing them what happens to a soda bottle (plastic) with water when hit with a bullet. They were excited but alittle scared at the time. The bottle was shreaded & told them that's what happens when you shoot a person. My youngest son had a tramatic brain injury @ 15 (now 29) so he only get to shoot under supervision of me or his older brother. I have a 15 yo daughter who just like to shoot real fast, so I only give her 22 lr to shoot but give her the chance to get it out of her system. She would like to be accurate like her oldest brother or me, so we explain the whys & hows to her & she seems to be coming around to taking it more seriously. It's all a matter of patience & leading by example. Rules are gone over everytime we shoot together. Drill them into their heads, have them repeat it & reward them for following the rules.
All 3 of my children have been around guns for their entire lives so it was not really difficult for me. I hunt a lot and they have always seen rifles in the truck, in the den after the hunt, etc. The main issue I faced was with my boys and their video games. Even though they had been taught from an early age that guns were not toys they suddenly felt like they needed to hold an AR and pretend they were in the video game. That was an easy fix for me but it could have been bad had I not caught it quickly. One of my sons asked me to bring out an AK so his friend could see it. I dont want anyone knowing what guns I have or where they are in my house and I certainly dont want a 10 year old going home and telling his mom that I let him hold a rifle withut her permission.
Just because you taught them right from wrong please dont assume that circumstances will not change. I taught my oldest not to drink and drive and he got a DUI in college so it does not always stick. Teach them the basics as young as possible and teach them to respect firearms, not be afraid of them. My daughter walked in the den this Saturday afternoon and asked, "Dad, why are there two AR-15s laying on your bed"? She did not touch them but did as she was taught by telling a parent that there were guns in sight. I had just bought some new accessories and the guns were on the bed prior to my getting to work on them.
Just because you taught them right from wrong please dont assume that circumstances will not change. I taught my oldest not to drink and drive and he got a DUI in college so it does not always stick. Teach them the basics as young as possible and teach them to respect firearms, not be afraid of them. My daughter walked in the den this Saturday afternoon and asked, "Dad, why are there two AR-15s laying on your bed"? She did not touch them but did as she was taught by telling a parent that there were guns in sight. I had just bought some new accessories and the guns were on the bed prior to my getting to work on them.
Driftertank
Member
I learned to shoot at about age 4. Ruger Single Six. My dad would load it for me, carry it out to the line, and hand it to me. When it was empty, he would take it back from me while i was still carefully pointed downrange.
We had toy guns as well, and those were used for training as well: we were admonished for pointing them at people too. (Squirt guns were the one exception) When handling a REAL gun, ANY accidental muzzle sweep earned a sharp bark and thump in the head from dad. Muzzle awareness was ingrained early and inviolably.
Got a Daisy Red Ryder when I was 6. All the rules of "real guns" applied and were enforced.
Got my own rifle for my 13th birthday. Single shot .22, and i was responsible for it's care and feeding.Guns were a feature of life growing up, for me. In todays American society there is a certain negative stigma to them. But i was taught from an early age that they were like any other dangerous tool, that they should be respected, but they're only as dangerous as the person handling them.
We had toy guns as well, and those were used for training as well: we were admonished for pointing them at people too. (Squirt guns were the one exception) When handling a REAL gun, ANY accidental muzzle sweep earned a sharp bark and thump in the head from dad. Muzzle awareness was ingrained early and inviolably.
Got a Daisy Red Ryder when I was 6. All the rules of "real guns" applied and were enforced.
Got my own rifle for my 13th birthday. Single shot .22, and i was responsible for it's care and feeding.Guns were a feature of life growing up, for me. In todays American society there is a certain negative stigma to them. But i was taught from an early age that they were like any other dangerous tool, that they should be respected, but they're only as dangerous as the person handling them.
JimStC
Member
I got my first gun at age 11 from my grandfather. My grandson turned 11 last year. I gave him a .22 pistol for Christmas 2011 and I work with him every time he comes to our farm. The emphasis is always on safety. Haven taken the USPSA Range Officer class and RO'd 100's of matches I am very focused on his and my safety. I try to keep it fun but safety infractions are reviewed and reviewed ad nauseum.
BTW the gun stays here in my safe. He is not allowed to take it home yet.
For his birthday in May, a single shot .410 is what I am thinking
BTW the gun stays here in my safe. He is not allowed to take it home yet.
For his birthday in May, a single shot .410 is what I am thinking
As soon as they can talk. One thing you might consider is looking into the NRA's Eddie Eagle program. It's a short safety course specifically for kids her age. They don't handle guns or anything. There is probably one near you. You can check it out at http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/ before you discuss it with her parents.
Salmoneye
Member
VT has no minimum age for 'hunting', just that the person has passed an approved 'Hunter Safety Course'...
Back when I was an instructor, I often taught children 6-7 years old...Some passed, but many didn't...More of a reading level, test taking ability, than anything else...There were kids that age I would have been proud to share a blind with...
That said, 'gun safety' in the house starts at the same age as teaching children that some things are sharp, bleach is not 'soda', and that the wood-stove is hot, etc....
Back when I was an instructor, I often taught children 6-7 years old...Some passed, but many didn't...More of a reading level, test taking ability, than anything else...There were kids that age I would have been proud to share a blind with...
That said, 'gun safety' in the house starts at the same age as teaching children that some things are sharp, bleach is not 'soda', and that the wood-stove is hot, etc....
XD Fan
Member
Sam1911 really nailed it on the head. However, I would add that part of the rationale for beginning early is not just about their shooting experiences. We live in a society that is heavy on gun ownership (Thank the Lord!), but not all gunowners are safe. There is a good chance that my daughter may come across a gun at a friend's house. I have no garuntees that the family will be knowledgable about firearms safety. I want her to know precisely how to handle that situation.
AlexanderA
Member
The teaching of gun safety might present a mixed message when toy guns are being played with at the same time. (Toy guns, for example, are routinely pointed at other kids.) Can the kids tell the difference at a young age?
I think I would introduce real guns (and the safety issues that go with them) only after they've outgrown toy guns. That means that real guns have to be very securely stored as long as there are kids and their toy guns in the house.
I think I would introduce real guns (and the safety issues that go with them) only after they've outgrown toy guns. That means that real guns have to be very securely stored as long as there are kids and their toy guns in the house.
Loosedhorse
member
what age should I teach gun safety??
At what age do you teach kids about sharp knives and hot stoves?
At what age do you teach kids about sharp knives and hot stoves?
Certaindeaf
member
Probably about the same time you'd teach them to not run across the street.
SorenityNow
Member
This is great info thanks for the support everyone
1KPerDay
Member
As soon as they can understand the language you speak.
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