Age to introduce guns to your kids

[Naiza3k]

Curious what you guys think is the appropriate age to start introducing your kids to guns and have them start shooting? I have 2 girls and I have gone through basic gun safety with my eldest (9) but kept it away from my 5 year old. Ideally I would like to get them started with shooting, what would be a good starter gun for them?

[Little Dutch]

Personal experience says It really depends on the kid. I know a 7 year old who can shoot safely with minimum supervision. I also know adults who I wouldn’t let park my car.
I started with gun safety with my two year old as soon as he showed any interest. It’s never too early for that. We refresh on the training often. I was shooting a single shot .22 when I was pretty young. Probably 4 or 5. I had so many safety talks as a toddler I could recite the rules easier than my ABC’s though.

I prefer a single shot .22 for kids. It gives you a lot of control and minimizes the chance for accidents. Any of the old rolling block, like a Stevens, or modern bolt action single shot youth .22 rifles would be my recommendation. Both of my sons have savage rascals. Crickets are okay too.
Some people start their kids in a semi auto like a 10/22 or the S&W M&P 15. It wouldn’t be my recommendation, but I know people who have gone that route.

[Naiza3k]

What were the safety rules that was laid down to you if you don't mind me asking.

I was thinking about a single shot .22 as well to get them acclimated.

[jreifsch80]

Its up to you to determine since you know your kids better than anyone else though kids also seem to respond well when another adult is helping with safety instruction. Im a big fan of the colorado 4h shooting sports system for them its 8 years which i think os a good age for an orginization to start allowing kids to take part in supervised shooting sports in a group setting.

[jreifsch80]

What were the safety rules that was laid down to you if you don't mind me asking.

I was thinking about a single shot .22 as well to get them acclimated.

Dont forget that air rifles are a great shooting sports option as well.

As for safety training we do first of all require hunters safety which is pretty good for safety training but for 4h we also among other things teach the kids MATT.... muzzle pointed in a safe direction, Action open and unloaded until ready to start shooting/range is hot, finger off the trigger until taking a shot and being aware of the target you are shooting at

muzzle
Action
Trigger
Target

[Little Dutch]

What were the safety rules that was laid down to you if you don't mind me asking.

I was thinking about a single shot .22 as well to get them acclimated.

At 2 years old the rules are pretty basic. The main one is no touching anything, period, if I’m not helping.
He sees me carrying stuff in and out all the time and I sometimes shoot my .22’s when he’s around, and he wants to be involved, so that’s a biggie.

We work on not putting our finger on the trigger or in the trigger guard.
We work on not pointing at anything but inanimate objects.

He’s consistent about the first one and is working on the other two.

He is very interested and curious. I want to keep it from being a mysterious curiosity so I do sometimes get out his rifle and we do some hands on with it. I’m trying to make it something he knows he’s allowed to do if I’m around, but only if I’m around. It seems to satisfy him.

I expect he’ll take his first shots with a pellet rifle before I let him actually shoot the .22.

You’ll have to approach it in whatever way makes sense for you and your kids of course.

[newracer]

Both of my sons started shooting 22lr at 5 years old. Like others have said it really depends on the kid.

[ray1970]

I say no guns until they?re 21.

I mean if you can?t be trusted with alcohol or tobacco until that age then obviously firearms should be off limits.

[def90]

Whatever age you feel they are mentally mature enough and physically able to do it.

[Little Dutch]

80096

[ChickNorris]

https://youtu.be/3v2zjfJuOkQ

[beast556]

That is hilarious

[Gman]

He'll eventually learn to take care of his equipment.

[jenznat0r]

The same could be said for spouses/significant others who haven't shot before. I get she's an adult, but the same concept applies. Overcoming anxiety about firearms is the biggest thing

I got my wife a single shot 22 to start out on. She loved it and her success rate on it was high. Now she's moved onto other guns. But getting her started on something simple was what got her into the hobby and easing her into it.

[CS1983]

My oldest just turned 5. For his bday I got him a “toy” double barrel shotgun. It makes noise when the hammers are cocked and when the triggers are pulled. Each day we go over the “4 rules”. He is not allowed to touch it until he has successfully recited the rules 3 times in a row. We treat it like a real firearm. Muzzle control, trigger finger off until ready to “shoot”, etc. he is not allowed to walk around with it. We also do ad hoc training on target selection and knowing what’s behind it in “shoot/no shoot” scenarios.

Once he is solid on what we have done, we will move to more advanced things (walking with it, etc.). He will not touch a real firearm until he has demonstrated competence in safety and handling.

We are also going over reacting to the unsafe practices of others, using the toy. Things like if someone points a gun at him or is playing with one, what to do, say, etc.

[Skully]

I say no guns until they?re 21.

I mean if you can?t be trusted with alcohol or tobacco until that age then obviously firearms should be off limits.

Who let you have a gun then?

[Coffee]



Both of my boys a couple years ago (8 & 10 at the time) got them involved in building their own AR's. We gathered parts when we could and put the pieces together like a model kit.

Last year we completed them and they love to shoot now when I get a chance to take them. However; I dont let them have free access to them in the home yet. They will ask I will get them and let them dry fire and play around. Best way to develop their control and feel for the rifle.