When do you think a child is old enough to learn how to handle and use a firearm?

[ErikO]

My 10 year old was dissapointed that Ralphie got a Red Ryder and his wasn't under the tree. He treats his nerf guns better than some of the gun owners I know treat their guns.

We'll see how he does with his Daisy and will go from there. At worst he loves to help me size and expand my brass.

 

[porchdog]

When I was probably 5 I was allowed to play with an old .22 rifle that did not have a firing pin. I was taught to handle it like it was a functional weapon. Soon after I got a BB gun and was informed if I pointed it at anyone or anything that was not my proper target that I would lose it. Birds were fair game. (sorry bird lovers but that was life in the late 50')

 

[hardluk1]

I started shooting with dads controls at 6 years of age. No bb guns. Started with a winny lever 22lr. Also as soon as I was comfortable with shooting it My dad took some soda cans shake'n well so when i hit it the can just exploded. Made me think about the power of a 22lr was more than it was but it did keep me in check for doing to many stupid things. Use to shoot some allmost every weekend with dad. Around 13 I had by then my own colt 22 huntsman and 12ga shotgun and would head for the woods with a buddy in an old jeep pickup to shoot ,ride and if hunting season was in, try to learn enough to kill a deer. Yea to young to be just kids with guns but different times then. That took another year to get my first deer. Those were great days.

My girls learned to shoot also at 6 years of age but never took to firarms till they both got married and had kids. Go figure. I stayed in the woods on weekends with my wife and kids 4 wheel'n and atv's as much as I could but the girls when young would rather do other things.

Different times today, different things for kids to do. We took our firerms to school ,atleast in the trucks to the parking lots. I don't think I have seen a rifle in a trucks rear window now in 15 years.

 

[fallout mike]

I started my 5 year old out with a .22. He is 6 now and can out shoot a couple of my friends.

 

[ShawnC]

My 11yo is a highly compliant child who does what he is told -- IF he listens. His head is in the clouds most of the time and he's prone to "good ideas". He means well and wants to make us proud, but he has very little common sense. When he's at the range with us he requires tight supervision, not because he doesn't want to obey the rules and do well but because he loses focus. When shooting we keep him the line between 2 of the adults so we can keep him tracked on what he is doing.
QUOTE]

Sounds exactly like my 7 year old. I think when it's his birthday this summer I'll take him to the range for the first time, just he and I, limit the distractions and see how he takes to it. I'm hoping if he finds something he likes enough, his focus will get better.

 

[Serenity]

I'm hoping if he finds something he likes enough, his focus will get better.

This was/is definitely the case with my son when I took him to the NRA Pistol class. He was 14 and a typical video game player/zombie book reader with zero attention span for "dry" material, especially in the summer, and he was riveted.

 

[oldgold]

I have two nine year old grandsons. Older daughter's son was raised in a family with both parents have ccw and shoot often. I won't even give him a pocket knife. No maturity at all, no attention span.

Younger daughter's son has been shooting for two years. His parents are sort of indifferent to guns. He has his own .22 and wants a pistol.

Two completely different kids and raised pretty much the same.

I got my first BB gun at five, bought, on my own, a .22 rifle at nine. Kids are all different.

 

[gc70]

My granddaughter is 7 and will lecture you in a minute about unsafe gun handling. I trust her more with her Cricket than I do her father with any gun.

 

[Bentonville]

I raised three boys to adulthood with guns as a big part of our lives. I dragged them to many many gunshows and guys homes that had a WW2 gun or story to tell. They sat in the van with headphones on and watched me shoot M1s, 1911A1s, revolvers, SKS, etc...and then watched me clean them over and over again. When they were strong enough and hands large enough to control the weapon, they were allowed to fire it. Always, respect and awareness of where the muzzle was pointing and where the trigger finger was placed was drilled into them from about 3 or 4.
I gave weapons as gifts all throughout their lives. Nerf guns, waterguns, slingshots, BB and pellet guns and pistols along with blowguns and archery equipment were available under my supervision. They learn to enjoy weapons at very early ages. They had cap guns by age 5 but were supervised and instructed over and over about the dangers of hearing loss and eye injuries due to the blast. Firecrackers were always a part of our fun. Always supervised. Guns are just extensions of these other "toys". At least that's how I see it. Responsibility, even at an early age, always comes with any of the above items. One of my kids just took chances in everything he did. One didn't really care about anything but archery, and one is very serious and loves guns.He goes to the range with me every chance he gets. As stated on other posts, each kid is different but I never allowed any gun to leave my sight until early teen years and years of showing the proper attitude. I taught them basic marksman ship with a single shot Winchester .22. Supervision is the key. Fishing can be dangerous! We have to watch them.
A few years ago I was shocked to see that a young boy was given the opportunity to fire an automatic 9mm. machine pistol. He could not control it and it climbed and somehow reversed muzzle direction and shot himself in the head. All in the blink of an eye. He just wasn't strong enough to control it. I learned a lot by that incident. Trust isn't all that's involved. http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6121915&page=1