At What Age Should You Start Teaching Your Kids to Handle Guns

[Ernie Bass]

On a serious note. I am a big believer in AIR GUNS for training. And yes, so go very far with them.

 

[Adrian71]

Every kid is different. I took my 8-year-old to the range with me when I got my gun. A friend brought along a .22 revolver for her to fire (as opposed to my .45LC). She was scared by the noise but otherwise did fine. She's been playing with a cap pistol for a long time, holster and all, and I've emphasized the rules of safe gun handling with her. So she was ready. Not every kid will be.

 

[daniel craig]

When it comes to teaching kids anything I’ve found it’s much less about age and much more about maturity level. There are many adult age people who shouldn’t handle weapons ever and many quite young individuals who are ready to do so. There are some people that will probably never be ready to learn some things.

Know the audience, teach them when they’re ready, regardless of age.

 

[mnrivrat]

I started shooting at the age of 6 . I think starting age depends on the kid. They need to be able to listen and follow instructions.

 

[Armybrat]

Youngest grandson started with his Red Ryder at 5. Here he is with the S&W Model 63 I gave him last year - age 9 (and gave him a Bearcat this year)

 

[3Crows]

I got a BB gun when I was five but could only use it when my dad or grandfather was with me. At six I began accompanying them on short hunts. We lived rural Louisiana and could hunt literally right out the back door. But it was a different time and place. At ten I had a Crosman pump air rifle and was allowed a .410 single shot or a Remington Targetmaster for squirrel hunting on my own but still with parents nearby. By twelve I was set free to roam the woods with my choice though I mostly carried my pumper. If I was in my pirogue for fishing then I might have carried the .410 for cottonmouths. My grade school, 1-8, Catholic, had a Fin and Fur club and for real, one of the nuns taught fishing and the priest who had been a Marine and was a Korean veteran taught shooting, it did require parental permission and I think it was open for fifth graders.