Classes for kids?

[Dave_L]

My brother isn't big on guns but he realizes that there's value in teaching his kids about them so they know how to handle one and treat it safely. He asked me about classes that he could take he oldest to to learn about gun safety. The kid is 5. I suggested a hunters safety class but don't know if they have age restrictions.

Any thoughts or suggestions besides me just going over and teaching the basics? I think some things stick longer if its more than just a pow wow with an uncle. I've offered to take him out to my range and shoot a .22 after a basic safety review for his kid but he said he'd prefer a more formal class.

[StagLefty]

My son took the Hunter Safety course at 8 but I had to attend it with him and explain the test questions if needed. Don't know if they take any younger.

[kwando]

RW or Hunter safety

[CS1983]

Appleseed maybe? Not sure their minimum age.

[Dave_L]

Looks like Appleseed doesn't have a hard age limit. Just that the child can safely handle a firearm and endure the day long class.

[MarkCO]

CPW teaches a youth only Hunter Safety at the HQ. They do a great job and they have officers read the questions to the kids on the test if they can't read yet. My kids were 8 and 10 I think when they took it.

After that, maybe some BB gun or airsoft to measure how he progresses and handles instruction, then maybe move on to rimfire Steel Challenge or Rimfire Challenge. An Uncle will have a bigger impact than you might think, and for most kids, will be better than a formal class. Work on the 4 laws of gun safety and making sure that he asks, and then makes sure to check a gun for clear before he sets it down, or receives one.

[hurley842002]

Judging by Hbars hunter safety thread, unless you know the instructor, I don't think I'd recommend that. Besides, when I took my class in 92, I don't recall them getting too much into actual firearms outside of the very basic safety stuff.

[XJ]

https://www.whistlingpinesgunclub.com/plan-events/kids-in-the-know/


5yo is probably too young.

[brutal]

5?

All kids are different.

Minimum - basic don't touch, find a grown up stuff.

NRA Eddie Eagle...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho36vonT3Rw

After that, I would hands on safety and instruction with airsoft, bb guns until there's confidence they can manage a .22

[CS1983]

5?

All kids are different.

Minimum - basic don't touch, find a grown up stuff.

NRA Eddie Eagle...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho36vonT3Rw

After that, I would hands on safety and instruction with airsoft, bb guns until there's confidence they can manage a .22

I think you bring up some good points.

[Dave_L]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the input.

[BigBear]

Feel free to bring him to my Appleseed event in May. There is basic safety and marksmanship principles we go over. 5 is really too young for classes that I'm aware of. Lot's of 1 on 1 time might be your only option besides internet "stuff"...