pretty much how i was raised in fact back then there was no "Gun safe" there was a couple of gun racks handing on the wall proudly displaying my dads collection. i though it was the coolest thing ever when he let me keep my bb gun up there with his guns. he has me shooting very young i couldnt tell you how young but i know i wasnt in school yet. and i for one never had the desire to "play" with a gun because if i wanted to shoot i just had to ask.
what age should I teach gun safety?
- Thread starter SorenityNow
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Sam deserves another 1911 (or firearm of his choice). Kids need to learn to respect the power of a firearm. My father, a little slack on rules, is always impressed when I make my son repeat the rules when we go outside to shoot.
While it is safe to treat toy guns the same as real guns, I do allow my kids to shoot nerf guns at each other. Kids do need to learn the difference between real life and pretend. BB guns are real guns; toys are toys.
While it is safe to treat toy guns the same as real guns, I do allow my kids to shoot nerf guns at each other. Kids do need to learn the difference between real life and pretend. BB guns are real guns; toys are toys.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Though I grew up with toy guns around me constantly, I had fully intended to keep our house toy-gun-free. That sure didn't last. Inventive kids will make guns out of anything. My daughter presented my oldest boy with his first toy gun, which she'd wrought out of a chunk of plywood, for Christmas when she was seven and he was four!
We soon realized that the extents we'd have to go to to make all toy guns forbidden would likely do more psychological harm than good. As a compromise, we simply use the toys as daily teaching reminders -- "Remember, we don't point firearms at anyone, even in play..."
And we've discovered that, like with 'most all play, they don't seem to have any question about the vast difference between a toy gun and a real one. They seem to "get it" more inherently than we adults do.
beatledog7
Member
Every child is different. Teach each one according to his her ability to grasp what you're going to teach.
That said, a gun-owner parent's first responsibility to his/her children is to keep them safe regarding those guns. While a child is not yet able to grasp the lessons, the guns must be kept separate from that child 24/7. If a responsible adult who knows the rules is supervising, that separation is, in effect, achieved. When the child is able to grasp the lesson, teach it.
Toys guns vs. real ones? I would not give a toy gun to a child who cannot discern the difference between real and toy.
That said, a gun-owner parent's first responsibility to his/her children is to keep them safe regarding those guns. While a child is not yet able to grasp the lessons, the guns must be kept separate from that child 24/7. If a responsible adult who knows the rules is supervising, that separation is, in effect, achieved. When the child is able to grasp the lesson, teach it.
Toys guns vs. real ones? I would not give a toy gun to a child who cannot discern the difference between real and toy.
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Master Blaster
Member
As soon as they are old enough to express a desire to touch them or to ask questions.
If you have them they should not be a mystery or taboo to your children. Knowledge always is better than ignorance. Just like you teach them about Kitchen knives and electrical outlets and how to not fall down the stairs.
If you have them they should not be a mystery or taboo to your children. Knowledge always is better than ignorance. Just like you teach them about Kitchen knives and electrical outlets and how to not fall down the stairs.
DAP90
Member
My wife was somewhat concerned about our son (just turned 4) and firearms.
I said to her what I once read on here. Would you rather our son left his friend’s house when a gun was being handled dangerously because he was already educated about them, or would you rather he stuck around because he was curious about an unfamiliar or forbidden object?
You could almost see the light bulb go on.
My son is starting to ask questions about them. Whenever he does I open up the safe and we have a little teaching moment. I think he really enjoys it. He recently wanted to play a game where he was the daddy and I was the son and he introduced me to his new (toy) gun. He even told me not to touch it unless he was there to help me and to go get him or mommy if I found it anywhere.
He doesn’t know the 4 rules yet but it won’t be long.
I said to her what I once read on here. Would you rather our son left his friend’s house when a gun was being handled dangerously because he was already educated about them, or would you rather he stuck around because he was curious about an unfamiliar or forbidden object?
You could almost see the light bulb go on.
My son is starting to ask questions about them. Whenever he does I open up the safe and we have a little teaching moment. I think he really enjoys it. He recently wanted to play a game where he was the daddy and I was the son and he introduced me to his new (toy) gun. He even told me not to touch it unless he was there to help me and to go get him or mommy if I found it anywhere.
He doesn’t know the 4 rules yet but it won’t be long.
Sharps-shooter
Member
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I taught mine about safety as soon as they could understand speech. They started shooting around 5.
hermannr
Member
When do you teach gun safety? As soon as they express any interest. Usually about the time they can speak in short sentences.
Never make any gun a mystery. I personally never had any "toy" guns. Started right off with a "boy's" SS .22 rifle. I did the same with my daughters, and now grandchildren.
When can they start shooting? when they know the saefty rules, and are physically large enough to safely handle a small .22 rifle. Never promise to take them shooting, and then not follow through....this goes for little girls shooting as well as little boys.
One of my big problems right now is a little (5 year old) granddaughter that has two older, and considerabley larger, brothers..(she is physically small for her age too, like her mom was) Trying to find stuff for a child that physically small is very difficult, but she wants to do what her brother do...she already has the safety stuff down better than her brothers.
Never make any gun a mystery. I personally never had any "toy" guns. Started right off with a "boy's" SS .22 rifle. I did the same with my daughters, and now grandchildren.
When can they start shooting? when they know the saefty rules, and are physically large enough to safely handle a small .22 rifle. Never promise to take them shooting, and then not follow through....this goes for little girls shooting as well as little boys.
One of my big problems right now is a little (5 year old) granddaughter that has two older, and considerabley larger, brothers..(she is physically small for her age too, like her mom was) Trying to find stuff for a child that physically small is very difficult, but she wants to do what her brother do...she already has the safety stuff down better than her brothers.
Chris-bob
Member
I started teaching gun safety as soon as they understood what I was saying.
What age? No age, just teach as opportunity arises.
Which is basically what everyone else said
Nutnfancy also has a great series of videos on the subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrorxilPMFo
I would consider this almost an exhaustive study on the subject! And good for those of us who grew up around guns, because these stages that he talks about should be kept in mind any time we are teaching gun safety and training to someone new.
Which is basically what everyone else said
Nutnfancy also has a great series of videos on the subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrorxilPMFo
I would consider this almost an exhaustive study on the subject! And good for those of us who grew up around guns, because these stages that he talks about should be kept in mind any time we are teaching gun safety and training to someone new.
Brockak47
Member
my dad taught me when I was like 7 or 8
All depends on the kid. Every kid is different, my stepson shot his first coon at 4yrs old and is very good with gun safety. He shoots a lot of .22lr in a ruger single six and a cricket rifle. My daughter is 2 so we will see if the same goes for her.
In my family, we all, boys and girls, got our first gun for Christmas when we were 12 years old. We knew it was coming years in advance. Our father taught us gun safety all of our lives. We knew that if we did not demonstrate safe gun handling while out shooting with Dad, we got no gun for Christmas. Believe me, that made a huge impression on us.
My brother and I carry. His son carries. My sister keeps a 410 shotgun under the bed. Her son doesn't carry but owns a gun. My Dad has passed away but Mom still keeps a 12 gauge in the closet. Not one ND. Ever.
My brother and I carry. His son carries. My sister keeps a 410 shotgun under the bed. Her son doesn't carry but owns a gun. My Dad has passed away but Mom still keeps a 12 gauge in the closet. Not one ND. Ever.
ol' scratch
Member
I started mine early on at about 2-years-old. I started with getting a firearm out and telling them never to touch it. I re-enforced it a few times until the boys finished my sentence for me. At 2, that is all they need to know. At 4, the eldest went through the Eddie Eagle training at Safety City. The 6-year-old has graduated to .22 rifles. His goal is to go duck hunting with his dad and pee-paw.
archigos
Member
I'm not a parent, but I'd think you start teaching gun safety as soon as a child can understand "Don't touch!" and progress in terms of curriculum from there.
Here's how I did it with our two young sons (who are now grown and hold CHLs).
First though, I confess to having started their safety training with a teeny weeny fib.
Only after the first one asked his first question about guns, I started as follows. I opened the gun safe and let them look inside, and invited them to examine anything they wanted to handle, (which turned out to be all of 'em!). Once they selected something I pulled it out, went through the safety check (magazine clear, CHECK. chamber clear, CHECK!) during which I explained what I was doing and why. I then explained the "every firearm is loaded" concept which led to the logic of the "finger off the trigger" and "muzzle in a safe direction" rules.
After they were satisfied I closed and locked the safe. I then said, "even though we TREAT them like they're loaded, it is a fact that the firearms locked inside the safe are all UNLOADED. So, you see? All of the guns that are locked away in the safe that you can't get to, will not hurt you. First, because you can't get your fingers on the trigger, and second, because they are unloaded. It is the guns OUTSIDE THE SAFE that will kill you. Or your brother. Or your friend. Or the neighbor across the street. So, if you find such a weapon, DO NOT TOUCH IT! If you want to handle it, wait. Come and tell me. I promise I will drop what I'm doing, make it safe, and then let you handle it, or even take it apart."
The teeny fib (big fat lie?) was that when they were growing up, I never ever left a weapon unsecured, loaded or unloaded.
During that first lesson I went through several scenarios such as "a friend comes over. You want to show him an unsecured weapon you've found. He insists on picking it up. Tragedy strikes and a young person dies. The boy who lives, lives with a pain that will never go away." I was pretty graphic. Since that wasn't gonna happen at OUR house I then went through some scenarios of what they should do if a similar situation should come up at A FRIEND'S HOUSE!
Finally, I imparted my own philosophy on firearms: They're just a tool. They are neither good nor evil, smart nor stupid. It is the person holding them in his hand who is one (or a combination) of those things. I then pointed out that not everybody shares my philosophy, and that most people, as seen on TV, either demonize or glorify guns.
Every "lesson" was with both boys together. The entire first lesson and tour lasted not more than 15 minutes and satisfied their curiosity for years. When they were a little older (about 8) we started making trips to the firing range. They quickly became deadly proficient with single shot .22 rifles. Later, pump, then autoloader .22 rifles. After they were a little older still, I let them fire a 7.62x39mm SKS (ONE ROUND AT A TIME. I would let them load one, chamber one, and fire one, frequently reminding them of not only the fine points of marksmanship, but more importantly, the safety rules. After they were older still, I let them fire .38 and even .44 special revolvers. By that time, they pretty well knew all they needed to know. A little while later, I let them fire autoloaders - ONE ROUND AT A TIME! Load one, chamber one, fire one. Then two.
By the time they were fully grown they were fully competent with all actions. Today they can outshoot me, easily. They, my wife, and I, all hold CHLs.
That's how I did it and it worked. They went at their pace and, over the course of their childhoods and adolescence, got fully up to speed. It's particularly satisfying to me, not so much because they SHARE my philosophy, but because they arrived at it, through their own intellectual reflection and processes. They are competent with any action. But they are as "fascinated" with guns as they are with a crescent wrench or a hammer.
Not saying it will work for you. But it worked for me - and them.
Best,
VT
First though, I confess to having started their safety training with a teeny weeny fib.
Only after the first one asked his first question about guns, I started as follows. I opened the gun safe and let them look inside, and invited them to examine anything they wanted to handle, (which turned out to be all of 'em!). Once they selected something I pulled it out, went through the safety check (magazine clear, CHECK. chamber clear, CHECK!) during which I explained what I was doing and why. I then explained the "every firearm is loaded" concept which led to the logic of the "finger off the trigger" and "muzzle in a safe direction" rules.
After they were satisfied I closed and locked the safe. I then said, "even though we TREAT them like they're loaded, it is a fact that the firearms locked inside the safe are all UNLOADED. So, you see? All of the guns that are locked away in the safe that you can't get to, will not hurt you. First, because you can't get your fingers on the trigger, and second, because they are unloaded. It is the guns OUTSIDE THE SAFE that will kill you. Or your brother. Or your friend. Or the neighbor across the street. So, if you find such a weapon, DO NOT TOUCH IT! If you want to handle it, wait. Come and tell me. I promise I will drop what I'm doing, make it safe, and then let you handle it, or even take it apart."
The teeny fib (big fat lie?) was that when they were growing up, I never ever left a weapon unsecured, loaded or unloaded.
During that first lesson I went through several scenarios such as "a friend comes over. You want to show him an unsecured weapon you've found. He insists on picking it up. Tragedy strikes and a young person dies. The boy who lives, lives with a pain that will never go away." I was pretty graphic. Since that wasn't gonna happen at OUR house I then went through some scenarios of what they should do if a similar situation should come up at A FRIEND'S HOUSE!
Finally, I imparted my own philosophy on firearms: They're just a tool. They are neither good nor evil, smart nor stupid. It is the person holding them in his hand who is one (or a combination) of those things. I then pointed out that not everybody shares my philosophy, and that most people, as seen on TV, either demonize or glorify guns.
Every "lesson" was with both boys together. The entire first lesson and tour lasted not more than 15 minutes and satisfied their curiosity for years. When they were a little older (about 8) we started making trips to the firing range. They quickly became deadly proficient with single shot .22 rifles. Later, pump, then autoloader .22 rifles. After they were a little older still, I let them fire a 7.62x39mm SKS (ONE ROUND AT A TIME. I would let them load one, chamber one, and fire one, frequently reminding them of not only the fine points of marksmanship, but more importantly, the safety rules. After they were older still, I let them fire .38 and even .44 special revolvers. By that time, they pretty well knew all they needed to know. A little while later, I let them fire autoloaders - ONE ROUND AT A TIME! Load one, chamber one, fire one. Then two.
By the time they were fully grown they were fully competent with all actions. Today they can outshoot me, easily. They, my wife, and I, all hold CHLs.
That's how I did it and it worked. They went at their pace and, over the course of their childhoods and adolescence, got fully up to speed. It's particularly satisfying to me, not so much because they SHARE my philosophy, but because they arrived at it, through their own intellectual reflection and processes. They are competent with any action. But they are as "fascinated" with guns as they are with a crescent wrench or a hammer.
Not saying it will work for you. But it worked for me - and them.
Best,
VT
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Isaac-1
Member
Like other's have said, it depends on the age and situation:
I grew up partly living out of town, and was taught from a fairly young age, you don't go off into the woods or swamp without a gun. My father only had about 40 acres of land, but it was surrounded by several thousand acres of timber land and swamps that were open to the public when I was growing up (sadly it is all restricted access since the timber companies realized there was money to be made from deer leases, etc. in the late 1980's)
In general I feel it is best to introduce children to guns in the elementary school years, by 7 -8 years old they are old enough to start learning to shoot a BB gun, learn safe gun handling, then graduate up to a pellet rifle or even directly to a .22, and go from there each at their own pace, with full gun access likely sometime in their teenage years.
I do think there are some people around here that introduce kids to guns and hunting too young, I remember of one of my son's school mates (would not exactly call them friends, as the kid was often considered the class bully) getting his own 30-06 deer rifle for his 9th or 10th birthday, and was out hunting in his own deer stand the next year.
I grew up partly living out of town, and was taught from a fairly young age, you don't go off into the woods or swamp without a gun. My father only had about 40 acres of land, but it was surrounded by several thousand acres of timber land and swamps that were open to the public when I was growing up (sadly it is all restricted access since the timber companies realized there was money to be made from deer leases, etc. in the late 1980's)
In general I feel it is best to introduce children to guns in the elementary school years, by 7 -8 years old they are old enough to start learning to shoot a BB gun, learn safe gun handling, then graduate up to a pellet rifle or even directly to a .22, and go from there each at their own pace, with full gun access likely sometime in their teenage years.
I do think there are some people around here that introduce kids to guns and hunting too young, I remember of one of my son's school mates (would not exactly call them friends, as the kid was often considered the class bully) getting his own 30-06 deer rifle for his 9th or 10th birthday, and was out hunting in his own deer stand the next year.
The War Wagon
Member
I was JUST working with my 6 year old daughter earlier today about gun safety (she's home sick from school). Not sure how much is getting through, but yeah - the old Eddie the Eagle "Don't touch/go tell an adult" is still good advice.
My older sons are in Cub Scouts, and shoot BB guns there. I STILL have to drill them regularly about safety, too.
My older sons are in Cub Scouts, and shoot BB guns there. I STILL have to drill them regularly about safety, too.
chute2thrill
Member
Just got my son a new bb gun for his sixth birthday. I've been teaching him gun safety since he was born!
I was raised like a lot of you all and agree with most of what was said. I have no idea when I started shooting but have been as long as I can remember. However It was a 22, 410, and old Llama .380 until I was about 12 and graduated to the 20 gauge. We didnt really hunt but would shoot cans, targets, watermelons, the very unlucky sparrow that landed on the watermelon, etc. I could always see the guns whenever I wanted too.
The one thing I always knew was how dangerous they could actually be. I dont know how I knew this. I assume that my grandpa probably put a 38 super into a sofa pillow or maybe shot a feral cat or something so I could see what it could do. But whatever it was I always knew they were not toys. I was born in the late 70's so I didnt grow up with video games. I can see how that changes things a lot.
As for what age to introduce them. It depends on the kid. My daughter is three and has zero interest in them mainly because they are loud as hell and scare her. If she never shoots a gun in her childhood life that is fine by me. She is also scared of fireworks so it has nothing to do with the actual killing power of a gun. Its the noise. And she is 3 and thats OK.
My little boy is 1 and obviously has no idea yet. But if he shows interest I will start him young. I live in an inner city and have no guns in sight of my kids other than the rare gun range excursion or deer season. But there is no access like we had when I was a kid. Thats just common safety. I guess I will probably start him when I think he is old enough to appreciate the actual damage a gun can cause. A dead barn cat or even an exploding watermelon would have a pretty big effect. But if he is seven and wants to see the guns I would certainly show them to him and take him whenever he wanted to go.
And if he has no interest than so be it.
If the kids get to the point of leaving the house and going out in the real world I might try to force it on them if they have not learned to shoot at that point. Doubt that would be a problem for the boy. But It could be for the girl.
The one thing I always knew was how dangerous they could actually be. I dont know how I knew this. I assume that my grandpa probably put a 38 super into a sofa pillow or maybe shot a feral cat or something so I could see what it could do. But whatever it was I always knew they were not toys. I was born in the late 70's so I didnt grow up with video games. I can see how that changes things a lot.
As for what age to introduce them. It depends on the kid. My daughter is three and has zero interest in them mainly because they are loud as hell and scare her. If she never shoots a gun in her childhood life that is fine by me. She is also scared of fireworks so it has nothing to do with the actual killing power of a gun. Its the noise. And she is 3 and thats OK.
My little boy is 1 and obviously has no idea yet. But if he shows interest I will start him young. I live in an inner city and have no guns in sight of my kids other than the rare gun range excursion or deer season. But there is no access like we had when I was a kid. Thats just common safety. I guess I will probably start him when I think he is old enough to appreciate the actual damage a gun can cause. A dead barn cat or even an exploding watermelon would have a pretty big effect. But if he is seven and wants to see the guns I would certainly show them to him and take him whenever he wanted to go.
And if he has no interest than so be it.
If the kids get to the point of leaving the house and going out in the real world I might try to force it on them if they have not learned to shoot at that point. Doubt that would be a problem for the boy. But It could be for the girl.
txgunsuscg
Member
I'm working with my son (he'll be 3 this year) on properly handling guns every chance I get. I have let him handle the guns in my safe, and he has two squirt guns. He has lost permission to have his squirt guns before for pointing them at people. He still isn't ready for the 4 rules, so right now we are sticking with "don't point guns at people," and reinforcing it in a way he can understand. He seems to be interested in guns, because he sees me working on them and carrying them, so I hope to spend a lot of time at the range when he gets older.
On a non-related note, I came back from a TDY trip to find out that he learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Totally stoked...
On a non-related note, I came back from a TDY trip to find out that he learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Totally stoked...
splattergun
Member
Both my daughters I taught safety from the time they could understand 'hurt'. At age 5 I took each of them out and demonstrated what can happen... with a cantelope and a hollow point. They were both thrilled and eager to learn to shoot, and they learned well. Reactive targets are good.
Unfortunately, elder daughter married into an anti-gun family. Grandkids are getting an earfull of "no one needs an evil gun" from their Nana.
Unfortunately, elder daughter married into an anti-gun family. Grandkids are getting an earfull of "no one needs an evil gun" from their Nana.
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