I handled my first real gun when I was 17. The seargent did a pretty good job of making sure that I didn't do anything too stupid. Of course, we were only issued rifles, not being officers and all.
Fast forward to when I was about 24 and decided to get my first handgun. I went to the library, checked out some books (Big things made of tree products with lots of instant pictures and words. Amazing things!), and read everything I could about handguns. I spent about a year researching and finally bought a Ruger Security-six. I asked the salesman to show me all he could, then I proceeded the woods to teach myself to shoot.
Well, 35 years later I'm still shooting. Haven't killed or maimed anyone, or myself. Have taught many others to shoot. And am still learning new things about guns and shooting.
I guess the moral is-don't be too hard on others-remember, you had to take that first shot at one time too.