At what age would you start your son with fireams?

[Eric Whitfield]

i was wondering what age i should start teaching my son about firearm safety and handling?

 

[Numenor]

Exposure to firearms from birth to assist making them just something there, and not a mysterious object that's forbidden to talk about. Letting them hold (obviously unloaded and checked, while showing them how to do so) and be taught proper handling techniques of firearms around 4-5. Probably would start with a BB gun under strict supervision around 6-7. First rifle (.22LR) around 8-9.

*note these are just my opinions and do not represent any actual experience with a kid of my own, only what my father did with me. =)

 

[Etkini]

I honestly don't think that's a question we can answer.. it's up to you to decide when you feel he's ready and responsible enough. I fired my first BB gun when I was 5 and finally moved up to the .22LR when I was 7 or so. Throughout those years though I was taught all about firearms and handling\safety. I say as soon as he can speak well enough and starts running around on his own is good enough time as any. Drill it into his head they're tools not meant to be played with or used unless you say it's okay long before you even think of taking him shooting - it worked for me.

EDIT: I also agree with the comment above on not making them a mystery but an everyday item, so if by chance he does come across them someday he'll know enough not to play with it and just leave it alone.

 

[Jahshoewah3619]

My son is two and is learning about hearing protection. Now, everytime the guns come out he reminds me "dada ears."

 

[Stan45]

age 4 would be a good age.

 

[Shoobee]

When kids pop out, there is no owners manual that pops out with them.

Your question is anybody's guess.

Guns are not toys. That is the first lesson that should be taught, appropriate for age 4 to about 12.

Kids are not all perfect. Some are destined to become psycho killers. You owe it to society to screen your own kids first.

I remember by age 12 it seemed like I was mature enough to learn responsibility. Any younger than that seems out of the question to me.

Even at 12 though, 100% supervision is required, probably all the way to age 25, when the brain is fully mature.

Things I would have done at 18 or 21 I would never have done at 25 anymore.

Personally I think the answer to the question is somewhere between 12 and 25.

 

[RJ_Whitlock]

My dad got me into firearms when I was 5, first gun he gave me was a ruger 10/22 at 6.

 

[golocx4]

You must also teach him to never mention anything about guns at school. (Unless you want the teacher to put the school in lock down and have SWAT and Protective Services surrounding your house) Just kidding. No Really.

 

[The_Outlaw]

i was wondering what age i should start teaching my son about firearm safety and handling?

Most cops will raise their own kids around firearms and teach them how to shoot at a pretty young age.
They tend to do this for very good reasons.

I started teaching my own son how to shoot at the age of 8 years old.
I first started him off on a .22 rifle, and then a .22 revolver.
He's actually a pretty good shot for a youngster! =-)
The next step will be a 12 gauge shotgun.

 

[eagleeyes]

we weren't even allowed to play with squirt guns as kids but i bought a cap gun anyways and hid it in the garage lolz my dad found it and smashed it up with a hammer so i took the hammer and pounded all the caps i had for it lol and never thought about owning a real gun till i was much much older

 

[maine04619]

My grandson started at 2 his brother is almost 2 and he is also starting. My daughter started at just past 3.

 

[JSDinTexas]

I shot my first .22 rifle at 8 and 30.06 deer rifle at 12, both under close supervision. But I believe it depends on the kid - I wouldn't trust some 40+ year olds with a gun nowadays.

 

[Billy_B]

I was around 11 years old when my uncle bought me a 22 to hunt squirrels He hunted with me and taught me safety. About a year later I was hunting on my own. My son grew up around guns but never developed the like of hunting or shooting. My daughters sons are avid hunters ages 17 and 13 their father taught them well at an early age. Its all about the child. I think that if the parent hunts it is easier to introduce guns and gun safety to them.

 

[Naybor]

I got my Daisy BB gun at six and a Stevens 20 ga. single shot at 10. Also got a Hi-Standard Double 9 Revolver for Christmas the same year (1954). Things were different back then.

 

[Kaymen]

I started with firearm safety as soon as my son started walking. At no time did I try to hide anything from him. I enjoyed taking the time to explain what I was doing and why I was doing it. To him now a firearm is a tool and not a toy. There is no mystery for him. He sees a weapon as a way to defend or feed the family. He understands not to touch a weapon unless he has my permission.

He is 5 now and I had him at the range this weekend and he was shooting a .22lr pistol. Just need to work on his trigger control, he likes to go full rock and roll.

 

[dstryr]

My daughter shot my Marlin bolt action .22 this past spring and understood quickly the safety rules I had her practice before producing the first round of ammo came out. She was 12-1/2 at the time and her 13th birthday is just around the corner. Hope to get her to the local IWL to shoot some more before it gets cold.

I also think the pace depends on the child. Some kids will naturally be interested in guns, some not so much. Setting the right example of safe handling at all ages is the most critical. Those ideas they will pick up on. When and if they become interested in shooting, but also mature enough to handle a weapon, depends on the child. Billy_B and Kaymen both said it well.

 

[kelcarry]

Guess it depends on where you live and what your past and present history is all about. Personally, I am a NYC urban born and bred individual who never touched a firearm until I was living in SC at age 67 so what can I tell you that will make everyone mad. In my book a child is stupid--not stupid in the sense that he is no intellect but in the sense that whatever you tell him and teach him goes in one ear, circulates thru the brain and then leaves thru the other ear. This stupidity lasts at least until they are teenagers and then does not fully go away but is a bit less. Heck, all you have to do is continue to read the stories on this forum and you find that some people are still gun stupid at 30 or 40 or older. Bottom line to me: You and only you can really embrace the responsibility of putting a potential killing machine in the hands of a child or a young adult, over whom you have the ultimate guidance. I can only hope and pray you make a wise choice that is backed up with very firm and good advice. If not tragedy is right around the corner.

 

[kerb]

i was wondering what age i should start teaching my son about firearm safety and handling?

I started taking my boy to the range with me when he was 8.
He had to memorize the rules of gun safety and be able to recite them back to me first though.


I got him a bolt action 22 rifle that has a 10 round clip or can be fired single shot.
He fired single shot at first, then as he started becoming comfortable I let him use the clip.

He's an old hand at rifles and handguns now. He's just getting into 5 stand trap and skeet with the 4H shotgun team. Pretty good at it too! First time ever shooting a shotgun, he hit five out of his first six clays.

He's turning 11 tomorrow.. I got him a 20ga. can't wait to give it to him! I don't know who's looking forward to his birthday more, him or me!

Bottom line though, there's no hard and fast rule as to what age is appropriate to start them.
Some kids mature faster than others (girls in general faster than boys).
As a parent you just have to do like everything else when it comes to kids: just use your best judgement and wing it!

 

[golocx4]

we weren't even allowed to play with squirt guns as kids but i bought a cap gun anyways and hid it in the garage lolz my dad found it and smashed it up with a hammer so i took the hammer and pounded all the caps i had for it lol and never thought about owning a real gun till i was much much older

My dad always said that driving a car was far more dangerous that walking down the street with a gun.
My dad taught me to respect guns, I had a 410 and a 22 hanging on a rack in my room since I can remember. Now they want me to lock everything is a safe.
He taught me that guns can kill by taking me hunting and respecting the animal.
My dad taught me to respect my mother and all females. Now the Govt says I have to treat them like I treat other men.
My dad taught me never be a bully and never be afraid to punch one in the nose. Now the Govt say all violence is bad.
My dad taught me to always pay my bills. Now I wonder why when freeloading is so lucrative.
My dad taught me to save a percentage of my paychecks. Now the Govt says I didn't earn that and they want their 50% to give to the freeloaders.
It is a good thing I always will listen to what my dad said. (see you at the FEMA Camp)

 

[NCIC105]

Exposure to firearms from birth to assist making them just something there, and not a mysterious object that's forbidden to talk about. Letting them hold (obviously unloaded and checked, while showing them how to do so) and be taught proper handling techniques of firearms around 4-5. Probably would start with a BB gun under strict supervision around 6-7. First rifle (.22LR) around 8-9.


*note these are just my opinions and do not represent any actual experience with a kid of my own, only what my father did with me. =)

Could not agree more....Take the mystery out of firearms...

We had a BB gun by 5 and started shooting a 22 by 6.


My Dad was a big gun person, at 80 years old he could still hit a Kennedy silver dollar when you threw it into the air with his old Colt 45... Dad was personal friends with Bill Jordan. I can remember Bill coming to the mountains on vacation, and they always stopped by, sometimes stayed with us.


He taught us to squirrel hunt with a S&W K-22; I still have my K-22. He said a rifle was an unfair advantage.


Had a 22 rifle at 12 and a 22pistol by 14 to 15...All depended on you showing the ability to handle the weapon safely, and of course, you're doing your chores without having to be reminded...


Kind of funny and some folks would say how bad of an idea it was, But we use to go to the city dump after school (Open dump) Dad would sit us on top of an old refrigerator, and we would shoot rats with our 22 pistol...


When you can hit a rat on the run, a squirrel was not so bad. A squirrel will run a way and stop. Rats run until they find a hiding place...


Got to say we had a blast........Miss those days!