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How did you introduce firearms to your children?

1K views 35 replies 27 participants last post by  rudutchyet 
#1 ·
Specifically, what age?

I have a 3 year old son and am interesting in knowing what your guys' approach was.
 
#2 ·
Specifically, what age?

I have a 3 year old son and am interesting in knowing what your guys' approach was.
My girls really like watching hickok45 carve pumpkins and shoot soda. I started there but I also allow them around when I'm cleaning them and to help clean and explain what each part it is when they ask. Kids get a kick out of pulling a bore snake through a barrel for some reason :) oldest is 5 and I can't think of a time where firearms haven't been out and about.

The problems come up with kids when they are some off limits holy Grail. I think my daughter was three, we bought an AR15 style single shot airsoft gun to practice safe handling and how to shoot. Also teaches cause and effect of pulling a trigger and the projectile comes out.
 
#3 ·
Both son and daughter were introduced to a Red Ryder when they exhibited enough sense and responsibility to learn to handle the BB gun safely. Later they were given possession of the BB gun when they had shown they were responsible and could be trusted without supervision. The age was not the same for both but age was not the criterion. Both still own firearms today.
 
#4 ·
all of them began when i felt they could grasp the significance, listen, focus and (under strict supervision) be safe.
my youngest so was six. the other five were between eight and nine.
the lessons began at home.
the first thing i did at the range (just the two of us would be present), was shoot a 2x4 with a .22.
then pick up the stud and show the entry point, and the exit.
we then discussed the potential consequences of an "accident."
none of the children i have worked with have EVER had an issue with any weapon.
i have introduced a great many kids to firearms safety and fundamentals, and will continue to do so. some grandchildren will begin this summer as per two of my sons. we have begun the conversation, initiated by my adult children.
part of my conversation with my 11 year old "Mockingjay" (granddaughter), during my birthday party last Saturday was along these lines. she already has her own longbow and an outhouse full of target arrows.
i have no doubt, she will do well.
 
#5 ·
Bought my daughter a Cricket.22 rifle for her 1st birthday.

When she was around 5 or so I taught her how to shoot it, being a single shot bolt action it’s very simple to operate.

Now that’s she’s almost 11, when we’re at the range, she plinks away, under my close supervision.

Recently got her a Ruger SR 22 as well. We haven’t had the time to try it out yet.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Devin brought up a good point. Don’t make the firearm an “off limits” item. They need to know you are ok with them handling them as long as you are around. The more exposure the better, so they are less curious about them. If you’ve got them out and your kid asks to see one, don’t ever say no. Make every moment a teachable moment. They are never too young. She started on a Cricket like my son, but preferred to shoot mine.
My daughter in a silhouette match at age 7.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Devin brought up a good point. They need to know you are ok with them haDon’t make the firearm an “off limits” item.ndling them as long as you are around. The more exposure the better, so they are less curious about them. If you’ve got them out and your kid asks to see one, don’t ever say no. Make every moment a teachable moment. They are never too young. She started on a Cricket like my son, but preferred to shoot mine.
My daughter in a silhouette match at age 7.
The bolded part. But responsibility and maturity are the most important parts for determining the correct timing.

And of course some degree of safe storage when extremely young. And watch out for their little friends who may be visiting.

But as stated, don't make them an off limits item. Any time they want to see or handle one under your direct supervision, allow them to. Use those teachable moments.

But don't force them. Don't let them shoot some firearm that the recoil is going to hurt them, like some of these idiots do on You Tube.

But you may be surprised what they can do. I remember my youngest when he was ten. We were at the range and he was shooting a 38 loaded with target loads. I was shooting one of my full size steel 1911 45's. (Of course one at a time. Either I would shoot while he watched, or vice versa.)

Anyway he said I want to shoot the 45. He had shot my Ruger 22 pistol before, but never a centerfire. I knelt behind him, instructed him on how to hold the forty five that only had one loaded round. I let him shoot it and he loved it. So I inserted a full magazine and he shot it empty.

I asked him if the pistol 'kicked'? He replied NO. And wanted to shoot another magazine. I told him some grown men are scared of the 45's recoil.

I hate to say it, but. One other thing, in this day and age of 'political correctness', tell them to be cautious what they say about firearms while at school.
 
#8 ·
I don't remember why I started shooting at 5 years old . To dang many years ago but our daughters watched mom and I shoot .22lrs rifles and handgun when they were 6 year old and simply showed an interest in trying and it grew from there , Both other girls continued to shoot but not hunt . When they turned 21 both took CCW classes and have carried since . Oldest grandson had to be held back till 6 years old . He took to shooting along with firearm safety like a natural and by 9 was shoot 9mm pistols and my AR15 and now 12 years old has no issues shooting a 12ga slugs , 308 rifle and is looking forward to spring break so he can learn more about loading , cleaning and shooting a 50 cal inline BP rifle . I have another grandson that is now 7 years old and in my eyes hes not even close to being ready to learn about firearms .
 
#9 ·
Like most, start with small Red Ryder then move to boys .22 rifle. Did the same for my daughter and son, now teaching the 9yr old grandson on .22s started him at 6 as well. This week started his brother now 6 on the Red Ryder. I put red dots on them, easier for them to aim than iron sights.
 
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#10 ·
I started my sons with a Crossman pellet rifle when they were about 7, when the stock on the youth model fit them. We went over gun safety to the point they were about to pee themselves from impatience, then reinforced it as we went.

We started at about 5 yards, shooting a 1 inch dot, then moved out to 10, then 15, then 20, so they could grasp the idea of drop and why you had to adjust point of aim.

They got on a kick where we shot every day, then after a few weeks lost interest.

They were in their early 20's before they showed any interest in firearms again.
 
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#11 ·
Specifically, what age?

I have a 3 year old son and am interesting in knowing what your guys' approach was.

Slowly and gradually.

Rifles first around 5-6

Started with a red ryder BB gun. Then moved up to a single shot 22 around 8. Then to a semi 22 at 10. then to a bolt action 223 at 13...... AR is next then higher caliber rifles with more recoil.

Years later at 12-13

Began with 22 semi and revolvers. Now we are at 9mm handguns and 38 special revolvers.... next will be larger calibers with more recoil
 
#12 ·
I started my soon to be 8-year old grandson with a Red Ryder when he was six. I had to cut the stock to decrease LOP. At seven I gave him a Thompson Center Hot Shot (.22LR and a beautiful little break-open rifle) and we shoot on Sunday mornings. He is a pretty good shot at 15-20 yards (using a rest helped much). I recently started him with a Savage Rascal. He wanted a bolt action rifle and the Rascal is the only youth bolt rifle I could find that was cocked by the bolt. Most others needed manual cocking.

He is a year or two away from joining a youth trap team coached by a woman who in earlier days was a champion trap shooter. He loves the trap field and enjoys watching grandpa shoot. I started at about ten years old (over 50 years ago) and was on a school rifle team in junior high school. The range was in the basement of the junior high school (many would not believe that possible in today's anti-gun environment).

While at boot camp at Parris Island my previous rifle training came in handy. I already knew how to sling a rifle and shot a sharpshooter score on the first day of pre-qualification. The rest of the week was pleasant for me as I was permitted out of the squad bay (no further than the wash tables) with the smoking lamp lit. I smoked my Marlboro's and watched through the squad bay door as the rest of the platoon engaged in hours of intensive PT. My rifle training and marksmanship later served me well in many a clime and place.
 
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#13 ·
being in L.E. and knowing -your kids can find it no matter where you hide it.
I used this-- I told the kids age 3 and 5 that if they wanted to touch my pistol all they had to do is ask.
then we would BOTH make sure it was unloaded.
then they could handle it .

first was a red ryder.

(A friend went a different way. He always unloaded at home. He went to the drug store and the pharmacist waved him off-they were being robbed. He called 911 and got down next to his car as the Pd was coming into the parking lot- the bad guys were coming out the door. He yelled freeze
the arrest was made.
At the jail he went to unload and found it was EMPTY!!!)
 
#15 ·
being in L.E. and knowing -your kids can find it no matter where you hide it.
I used this-- I told the kids age 3 and 5 that if they wanted to touch my pistol all they had to do is ask.
then we would BOTH make sure it was unloaded.
then they could handle it .


first was a red ryder.
.......
See bolded part. Also make sure they know what will happen if they ever touch it without your permission.

Lots of good advice in most all the post above.
 
#14 ·
Guns are a part of my life. They were in the house in Indiana and the kids were taught to respect them as much as mom's hot stove. They went to the range with me, not only to go shooting but play at the lake that was at the gun range. They were just always with me, or mom whenever we could have them around. We went hiking, to playgrounds, shooting.

One is a doctor now, one in law enforcement. Looks as if it did not hurt them.
 
#18 ·
When my son was eight years old I took him to the range to bench rest .22 caliber rifles.
Prior to that, he was really into Nerf guns and I taught him all of the safety rules to use when playing with his friends (don't sweep anybody [on your team] with the barrel, etc.) By the time I took him to the range, he had all the rules ingrained.
Plus, he was the only six year old I ever met that could correctly do a house clearing drill.

All real weapons were in a safe and were not to be discussed with his friends.
 
#19 ·
I like to start out with a good air rifle, teach the basics of safety and markmanship, then .22 rifle, bolt or lever action. It depends on the age and interest level if I go any further.

Pistols are out. Flame me, but I think it's a bad idea in general. Pistols are just too easy to get pointed the wrong direction, which is where the danger arises. I also hate Airsoft pistols for kids, it's just a maker of bad habits.
 
#21 ·
BBgun at age 7. I purchased a savage .223 heavy barrel, she shot that at age 9, took her first deer with it at age 10. Now shooting an AR15 20" with iron sights.
 
#22 ·
Shot bb and pellet guns in the back yard when they were probably around five. Honed their open sight rifle skills that way. Bought them a .22 around eight or nine and took them deer/hog hunting with me. Let them shoot light 9mm rounds at the pistol range and skeet shooting at around ten years old. Got them deer and hog hunting when they could legally do so at 12 years old and had them take the long, 2 day dfw hunter safety course (I took the course again with them). Now, at 19, they are solid hunters, good handgun shooters, and practice safe weapon handling.
 
#23 ·
My 3 year old got to accompany the adults on a shooting session at the family farm recently. He had to prove that he could wear ear pro correctly before going.

Obviously I didn’t put a firearm in his hand, but he did get to go watch and see what it was all about.

I always had a hand on him the entire time.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Specifically, what age?

I have a 3 year old son and am interesting in knowing what your guys' approach was.
My son is 12 now, so I'm thinking back. 3 was the start.

After clearing a gun, and letting him hold it, I taught him "Don't point it at me, don't point it at your feet, and don't point it at the dog."

I taught him about assuming every gun is loaded, so we don't point it at anyone and we keep our finger off the trigger.

I told him if he ever wanted to see or handle a gun, he could, but had to ask me or mommy. Always had to wash his hands afterwards, too.

Took him shooting, watching me, held back a ways with mom, and with a hat, ear muffs, and glasses. Or watching mom shoot, then I held him back (not literally hold, because he knew the rules and where to stand to watch).

Test him with showing me unloading a gun, then put on table, ask him to turn away for a couple seconds, then have him look back, and ask him if it is loaded. The correct answer is always that it could be, if you take your eyes off a gun someone could load it back up.

Started all this at age 3, but you have to figure out what he is ready for. A little each day, and not overwhelming.

He'd be in my room when I got dressed, so he'd see the gun, so the gun safety teaching started very early.

I kept guns locked up, but at same time he knew he could see any he wanted, and get stories about them, just by asking.

From age 3 on, zero mystery about guns for him.

I may have even started some of this with him sooner. If he was there with me and could see a gun, then the lessons started :)
 
#27 ·
FIRST THING TO HAVE THEM LEARN IS

NEVER POINT A GUN TOWARD ANYTHING!! YOU DON'T WANT TO SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


lots of mirrors and T.V.s have been replaced
as well as holes in walls patched--just saying.
 
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