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age to start training firearms shooting

frisky-maddog
hello
is ther a cetain age that is to young to start traing your youngster and having them start shooting? is there any law restrictions that anybody knows of? i always figured that maybe 10 or 8 but i really dont know for sure? i know alot depends on the individual but just wanted some help. 5 years old to young??? thanks for your help with this question. i also run bullseye league and i have allowed youngsters as young as 12 to start shooting but i didi not know about those rules either?
thanks

i did not put safety in ther because i think all kids should have training involving that at any age.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    There is no such thing as "too young". Teach them from the minute they are old enough to comprehend that firearms are to be respected at all times.

    For reference purposes, by dad started me out shooting at 5-years of age, and I had my own .22 rimfire rifle (Christmas gift) at age 6. For the next several years, I was only allowed to handle and shoot my Ithaca Model 49 with my dad present, but the summer I turned 10, I attended a Hunters Safety course, and that Fall, I got my first Hunting License & deer tag. From then on, I was allowed to take both my .22 rifle or my Springfield Krag 30/40 (deer rifle) into the woods on my own.
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  • 11b6r
    Age will vary with individual- my reference point is the age THAT child is capable of staying focused, following instructions. Should be a firearm that fits, and is with the capabilities (metal/ physical) of the kid. Our kids began shooting with me between ages of 6-10. Youngest granddaughter turned 13 yesterday, has been shooting with me for 3 yrs (seriously GOOD shot, 22 rf, 100 meters) Some folks are 35 and not old enuff. If you are parent, legalities not an issue in any state law I have seen- for grandkids, have in my wallet signed permission slip from mom/dad. Because they learn rifle/shotgun/pistol, some state laws can be strict. My late son's wife ASKED me to take grandson shooting, so he could learn to SAFELY handle firearm. Key points- learn and demonstrate rules of safe handling before getting live ammo. Eye and ears for the kids. Gun will fit kid. 22 single shot bolt is a great starter gun. Go buy a cheapy, trim stock to fit the kid. Teach them to maintain their firearm. Be certain they understand responsible ethical behavior with firearms.
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  • Wehrmacht_45
    I started at 5 or 6 with a bolt action winchester 22.
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  • tsr1965
    I cam from a similar situation, and tend to agree with Bert H.

    I was started with a Daisy when I was 4, and by age 5 was shooting a 22LR...both pistol and rifle. My father always made sure that there was extra responsabilities laid on me, just so I had enough to keep me out of trouble. I was following him into the woods then, and at the ripe old age of nine I was hunting deer with a Browning A-5 16 gauge...one of the last A-5's before the Sweet 16.

    Age 12 I had a Mk4 303 British, and when my grandfather passed his 94 in 32 WS was mine.

    I have a bunch of friends that have young children of age 4 and up. We have made it a way of life by haveing informal gatherings, cookouts, and BBQ's, that include shooting of some sort. We have taught the responsibility of firearms safety to ALL those who want to participate. I am proud to say that I mentored a youngster that is now 10 years old, who, if I do not watch my tecniques on the target range, will give me a good arse whuppin'.

    To answer the question posed...at the first age they show interest in the responsability. They have to want the responsability, and not have it forced on them to have to shoot. If you make it a fun thing as competetive among friends, and get them to take ownership of the idea...they are hooked for life. By the way...be prepared to at least share some of your shooting hardware. I usually give one or two starter 22's away a year.

    Best
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  • iwannausername
    Started my daughter at age 6, will start son soon.

    My requirements are to be able to sit and focus on doing something besides watching TV for more than 15 or 20 minutes, and to follow important directions without playing around. Still have to be 110% vigilant ...
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  • He Dog
    I took NRA training when in 5th grade, and started hunting at 12. Had my own at 14, a .22 which I still have and still hunt with.


    Bert, I had no idea you were young enough to have started with a cartridge rifle!![:p]

    I have not (yet) officially reached the "Old Phart" status like you have[}:)]. I started out with a 22 LR, quickly graduated to a 22 Hornet, then the old 30/40 Krag[^].

    [^][8D]
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  • Bert2368
    It obviously is going to depend on how responsible the kid is, but-

    We started with a BB gun at 8, harder hitting pellet guns around age 10 and had .22's by the time we were 12. Allowed to posess .22 ammunition away from Dad's view and take cartridge guns out ourselves after we took the state hunter safety class at 14, as I recall. There was an NRA junior club that shot in the school gym every Friday, by the time you werte 16 you could get instructor credentials (I did).
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  • JustC
    my son is 5 and is using a 22lr right now. He only gets it with me present, and one bullet at a time, but he is quite respectful and happy as can be knocking over cans.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by frisky-maddog
    hello
    is ther a cetain age that is to young to start traing your youngster and having them start shooting? is there any law restrictions that anybody knows of? i always figured that maybe 10 or 8 but i really dont know for sure? i know alot depends on the individual but just wanted some help. 5 years old to young??? thanks for your help with this question. i also run bullseye league and i have allowed youngsters as young as 12 to start shooting but i didi not know about those rules either?
    thanks

    i did not put safety in ther because i think all kids should have training involving that at any age.

    Its hard to put specific numbers on this, because it depends on both the physical and (mostly) emotional maturity of the kid in question.

    Some kids at 6 are responsible enough to handle firearms under adult supervision. Some adults aren't at age 50.

    I wouldn't go lower than 4-5 years in ANY case. Also, while there undoubtedly ARE children who are fully responsible enough to handle firearms by THEMSELVES, in this 21st century society in which we live. . .I wouldn't do that.

    12 years old is probably fine for bullseye shooting, again DEPENDING on the INDIVIDUAL in question. I think your judgement is the most important thing.

    You also don't have to start kids with actual firearms, when there are decent BB/airguns and such available.

    In terms of laws, well, in the State of MA, no minor is allowed to POSSESS *ANY* pistol (ie ever, even for one second under adult supervision). Hand your 17 year old nephew who is going to enlist in the Marine Corps next year your single-action .22 revolver, and you can both (in theory) be hauled off to jail.

    In most SANE states, though, there is no restriction on children possessing handguns, though they may not PURCHASE said guns themselves until they are 21, and (in most) may not OWN said guns until 18.

    The laws with respect to longarms are a little less stringent, but ultimately if you want to know what applies, you'll have to check the law in your particular State and jurisdiction.
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  • frisky-maddog
    thanks
    for all the info that i wanted. just what i expected from the experts.
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  • jar
    you might try firearms handling ,cleaning, and just getting to know the gun (guns) for awhile before ever going out to shoot.
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