shootin with my son

[renegadephoenix]

here's my 21 month old and me shooting my .22 with CB longs.






keep it clean, i do not want any posts about lack of hearing or eye wear. this was all spure of the moment as i was doing some rodent control in the garden.

[Shawn.L]

now that is super cute

[Bender]

looks like he is useing the 2 finger trigger pull

[ReconLdr]

Start em young and keep em safe...

[SickRick]

gotta start them young!!!!!!!!

i've been shooting since i was 2 and love it to this day

[knighthawk06699]

More than the shooting which is great, is the father son bonding time spent here. I love it well done!!!!!

[andrewjs18]

cute...rep sent.

[renegadephoenix]

thanks guys, he loves watchin the hunting shows and shooting deer and elk with his plastic toy gun

he was 21 months old when those pictures were taken. now he's 2 1/4

[c.sander]

awesome... i wish to do the same when we have kids

[Pa. Patriot]

I'm going to post an opposing view but before I do please understand that this is my personal philosophy, based on my personal opinions and observations. It in NO WAY is intended to be aimed AT the OP... Rather I see this thread as an opportunity to discuss this topic to which I have a somewhat different point of view.

To sum up my opinion, I feel that a child should not be allowed/taught to shoot until they are old enough to be able to learn and understand the basics of firearms safety. Up and until this age, which will vary from child to child, I believe they should only be taught to "not touch" firearms.

Now, to explain in more detail why I feel this way.

First, I grew up around guns as have my own children are doing now. I am a gunsmith and (unloaded) guns are within reach of my children often. Up until they are old enough to learn the safety rules I have taught my children to never touch firearms in much the same way I taught them to never touch the stove up until the age that they are old enough to understand the safety and use of that dangerous item. I was taught this way. Sometime before I was old enough to shoot I was allowed to handle firearms under supervision but not to touch the trigger (the beginning of my safety training). That was worked up to teaching the safety rules and my first range lesson when I was ready. After that point, I was old enough to understand the difference between being allowed to handle firearms when I asked and had permission and supervision and not touching them when I had not asked and was not supervised. I obeyed this rule because I understood the distinction.

In my opinion, having a child pull the trigger on a firearm before the age of realization is only counter-acting any training to "not touch". I fear that a 2 yr old that has been shown to pull the trigger will now desire to pull the trigger on any firearm he may happen upon. 2 yrsa old is not old enough to understand the difference between when it is OK and not OK to touch firearms.

Children under 4-ish can generally understand "don't touch", but they likely will not understand the rules of safe firearms handling and use. My concern is that rather than giving them early "beneficial" exposure to firearms that this practice can only have potential negative effects. There is plenty of time for them to be exposed in a positive manner once they approach and reach the age of realization and are able to understand the differences such as I outlined in the previous paragraph.

Again, Just my personal opinion and I am not saying the OP is wrong. Just that I choose a different path. I would however strongly recommend that he not allow the child to shoot without ear and eye protection.

Be safe and teach 'em young! (just not too young )