How old before you teach your child to shoot?

**PA Rifleman** · October 22nd, 2008, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by knighthawk06699

This is in no way a question of age, it is a question of interest, maturity, and how responsible they are. Age is just a number, if your child shows interest and maturity and the responsibility it takes to handle a loaded firearms, then and only then is it time to teach. Weather it be 5 or 15.

P.S. This is only my personal opinion and beliefs.

Here is a great oen started on this very subject.
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/question-...too-young.html

That about sums it up, it's really a developmental point with the individual child. I'd also like to add the ability to use critical thinking and the ability to follow instructions.

Here's my oldest firing a pistol, I'm guessing she's about ten in this photo.

**Pector55** · October 22nd, 2008, 10:51 PM

Keep in mind, you can start them out right on airsoft, then BB/Pellet guns at a very early age. That's where you can get them to understand inspecting the equipment to see if it is loaded, teach about muzzle awareness, etc. I did that with my kids because you take the noise and recoil out of the equation, making learning much easier.

My son started shooting the SIG Mosquito .22LR pistol at age 8 and now, at age 9, has shot all of my rifles (including Mosins.) His favorites are the AR and the RPK.

**Cyo** · October 22nd, 2008, 11:53 PM

My grandfather took me deer hunting with him when I was three. It was a great experience for me and got me started with love of hunting and a respect for guns. However, it did result in a less than successful hunt. After sitting a few hours in the blind, a nice buck walked out of the woods. I got excited and wanted to be helpful, so I jump up and yelled, "There's one, Paw! SHOOT HIM, SHOOT HIM!"

I also remember on the same trip he let me shoot a .22 rifle he bought for me. It was far to big for me so he held it and I just looked down the barrel and pulled the trigger but it was a thrill and I remember it well.

Taking a child shooting and teaching them safety and respect for the guns and the outdoors can never be done too soon if done in a loving and supportive way.

**Delcoadvocate** · October 23rd, 2008, 12:17 AM

I agree with some posters above. It should be based on interest and maturity.

I was taught at age 6. I was jealous of my cousin who was shooting for over a year before me. But I understand now as an adult that there were other circumstances there, my maturity around guns which was due primarily to the city life I grew up in compared to my cousin who was in farm country.

I have two young nephews that by the age of 5 had both bagged turkeys, and one, a deer. No joke.

Just because you are comfortable with it, doesn't mean the child will be. Don't force it, and only teach what he is willing to learn. If he's scared, wait for another day when he/she is fealing a bit more brave.

Whatever you decide...teach him better than this family did...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/...5052a5.jpg?v=0