children around firearms

[gunowner1982]

ok so i have a 4 year old boy, so i dont have to worry about this too much. But in a couple years, Im going to have a morale conundrum.
IN your opinions, Is it best to satisfy your child's curiosity with firearms, and educate them. (i.e. show them where they are. not to touch etc.) that way when they stumble upon them one day, they dont want to play with them...or do you deny the very existence of firearms in the house??.
and if and when you do explain guns...how old were your kids on their first range trip?? mines still young im just throwing it up there.

[1861]

they are never too young , just keep it age appropriate .

[PisnNapalm]

In my opinion.....

When the time is right, satisfy their curiosity and make sure they have a good respect for and safety knowledge of firearms.

My son was 9 when I first took him to the range. I drilled him on the 4 golden rules of gun safety well before and during the trip.

Until you are ready to take them to the range, make sure they cannot possibly get to the guns.

[gf45acp]

Educate, my Father started me at 5.

[viva la ben]

Yeah, any advise would be good. My twin boys just turned 3 and they have not been exposed to my real guns. My wife is also ultra-conscious about exposing them to "adult things". They are obsessed with all the "boy stuff" too. Play tools, cars, airplanes, and tree branches.

[Pa. Patriot]

ok so i have a 4 year old boy, so i dont have to worry about this too much. But in a couple years, Im going to have a morale conundrum.
IN your opinions, Is it best to satisfy your child's curiosity with firearms, and educate them. (i.e. show them where they are. not to touch etc.) that way when they stumble upon them one day, they dont want to play with them....

This is the ONLY way that works. No conundrum about it.

You teach your kids about dangerous things, not hide them. Thats disaster waiting to happen

[Pector55]

I started out with getting them air guns and targets for the back yard maybe around age 5 or 6. After that, I got a SIG Mosquito to teach them at the range (around ages 8 and 10). Now they are 10 and 12 and they do rather well.

I have 11 videos of them shooting here.
http://www.youtube.com/pector55

[Bucks_Man]

I have 11 videos of them shooting here.
http://www.youtube.com/pector55

Great vids...I like the "wholly crap" mosin video.

[estroyan]

My kid has been aware of guns since she was 4.
I was going out in the back to shoot and she asked, so I told her...
She went along and even tried the Colt Woodsman. She was hooked.
I have never hidden firearms from mine, and have made sure she was well aware of all safety rules.
My wife has never had any interest in guns, but she does appreciate the idea of familiarity being better than ignorance.
On my daughter's 9th birthday she got a Cricket with a pink stock. This was her request after I noticed her drooling over the gun in a local hardware store.
She loves shooting, but is still a bit leery of the .44 mag (she's 12 now).
She is already planning on joining the rifle team when she gets to the local high school. (Yes they have one!)
All in all, get 'em used to them, teach them the right way, and don't make a big deal out of having them around.
Whatever you decide, good luck.
As my mother said...Insanity is hereditary...you get it from your children.

[FNG19]

Great vids...I like the "wholly crap" mosin video.

+1. I love his son's enthusiasm! That's very cool!