Right age for children to start shooting

**wakefield724** · May 24th, 2014, 01:18 PM

So I was hanging out with my adopted son who is 9 months old and a thought popped up. How old should a child be for a parent to responsibly teach their kids to shoot. How old should they be for their first gun. Obviously 9 months is years away but what do you all think. I started shooting a BB gun after being taught a safety lesson from my father when I was 12. How old do you think a child should be before teaching them to shoot?

**pennlineman** · May 24th, 2014, 01:27 PM

I would say it has more to do with the maturity of each individual child more than age. I started out young, around 5 or 6. I started out my daughter about the same age. You'll know when they're ready. Normally they'll take an interest at some point and start asking questions.

**priell3** · May 24th, 2014, 01:32 PM

I agree with pennlineman.

My cousin, brother and myself learned at about 5 years of age.

My son did his first 22LR shooting at the same age. He'll soon be 20.

**BobGun** · May 24th, 2014, 02:07 PM

My first granddaughter started at age four, but she was a child that lived with us and was a joy to deal with. My second granddaughter is four now and I would not even consider letting her touch a firearm. She will need to learn to listen and follow instructions first. So what I am saying is that there is no magic age to start letting a child handle firearms, but it is never too early to start teaching them about guns and safety.

**Steelblitz** · May 24th, 2014, 02:30 PM

Started out my kids with 22lr at age 10. There was no rush to get them shooting. They were taught about firearm safety and learned to shoot bb guns years earlier though.

**Sparks** · May 24th, 2014, 02:37 PM

No physical, it's mental age. You can tell when they are willing to show some self control and take direction.

**JAKIII** · May 24th, 2014, 02:43 PM

Agree with all previous advice... there's no magical age and depends on the individual child's ability to learn, retain information and accept responsibility.

Naturally, the physical ability is necessary to independently handle the mechanics of the firearm, such as carry a bolt, rack a slide, etc.

Ultimately, introducing our next generation to the pro side of 2a is key and for that we thank you.

**Grey Bearded One** · May 24th, 2014, 02:45 PM

I taught both of my kids to shoot at age four. My son is ambivilent about shooting now but I'm giving my daughter a 1911 for her 21st birthday much to the dismay of her whining liberal aunts and uncles.