At what age did you teach your kids to shoot firearms?

[Ruger_Ronin]

Age 26 for my stepson. Living in Chicago, he was trending in the direction of being an anti-gun millennial. After two hours of drilling the centers out of targets with a CZ 457 and meeting some nice people at the range, he walked away from the experience with a more open mind.

Good for you for guiding him the way.

 

[Mr. Habib]

Oldest daughter at about 12. Second never showed much interest until older, probably early teens. Youngest girl was very interested when see was about 3-4 years old. She got a 22lr pink Chipmunk rifle for Christmas about 3 weeks prior to her 5th birthday. She soon moved up to a 22 pistol and by age 11 I was comfortable with her firing a suppressed MP5. Now at 18 just applied for her lifetime LTCH and has informed me that her high school graduation present is going to be a carry pistol. It really depends on the kids and their level of maturity.

 

[MrSmitty]

BB guns at 5, shooting .22 at 7, had his first rifle at 8, been training him since then on gun safety, will turn 19 tomorrow, He inherited a shotgun 2 years ago, bought him a .22 pistol 4 years ago, got him his first carry gun last year after he got his LTCH, just got him a 9mm 1911 yesterday....He's my Huckleberry........

 

[Master tech]

BB guns at 6 and 8 years old. Girls listen more closely and are easier to teach in my experience

My daughter was basically a natural from day one at 8yrs old, my son has zero patience and would rather abuse some of my RC collection. I love to do either so no complaints here! She's super calm and patient, out-shoots most adults in the family with pellet or 22lr with iron sights or scope on her 10/22. Surprisingly receptive to my constant safety lessons too.

 

[Gabriel]

I started my son at 3 with a Savage Rascal.

 

[DadSmith]

 

[ScouT6a]

My daughter shot her first .22 rifle when she was three. (With me holding the rifle) I started her and my son, with serious instruction at age 5.

They both shot regularly, here at the home range. They both were in 4H Shooting Sports and they both completed the Hunter Safety Course with flying colors.

They both knew from an early age that firearms are just another tool and they be useful or hurt/kill you just as a lawn tractor or chainsaw can.

 

[Magnum314]

It was around 8-10 with all 3 of my kiddos...2 daughters and 1 son. I always made sure they knew they could ask me anytime they wanted to shoot, or just look at any of my guns. We would get whatever they wanted to look at or shoot (within reason of course) out of the safe and so that took away the "curiosity" of it all. We spent a LOT of time going over safe firearm handling, range safety, etc. Very early on, they were (and still are even now out of college and out of the house and on their own)...ay safer with firearms than most adults I know! I'm so proud of them!

 

[tetter]

I plan to do that in my early 40s.






...

 

[Bigtanker]

My daughter was 6, my son was 5. Here he is at 9.


He's 5 here.

 

[wcd]

6 years old for my Son. 10/22 right out of the gate. No Pelle/BB gun. Strait to the 4 rules when. He could practice and demonstrate a full understanding then live fire.

 

[Shooter5]

With my sons, around 8 years old. Started with .22 LR rifle then 20 ga shotgun. Took them all hunting. All became proficient and safe with firearms. One son took to it naturally (very good shot) and became a sniper in the sand box. He was a good enough shot in Basic Training that he was voluntold to Scout/Sniper.

 

[BigRed]

What age did you get your kids out to the range?

I think I was about 30 when I started taking them.

 

[GIJEW]

My son was 7 the first time I took him shooting. He did a stellar job of safe gun handling but was more interested in trying to catch grasshoppers behind the line of fire.
Now that he's an adult, he's interested

 

[Frontiersman]

My Daughter was about 4. My Son 6.

They both understood the word "no" and could follow instructions safely.

Others, I would not trust at 10,16,18 +

It all depends on the person.

 

[JohnP82]

My son's first range trip was when he was 10 years old, bolt action .22lr, but the teaching started way before.
He seriously could recite the 4 rules of firearm safety since he was 6 years old.

He's been my favorite range buddy ever since and more than once has showed me up on the trap field. Always look forward to our range trips.

 

[rooster]

Dad said he had me toting an empty BB gun at like 3 tagging along on squirrel and rabbit hunts to teach proper gun handling in a practical environment. I never really got taught how to shoot, I learned how to hunt and hunt safely. Target practice happened very little but he made me a snap shot with a shotgun on small game and game birds.

that said I can appreciate that practical approach and may attempt it soon when my daughter gets old enough to understand the concept and want to go with dad. What age will that be? I have no idea every kid is different. Best thing I can do is Be watching for when she shows she is ready and be ready to make it as safety focused as my training was

 

[gglass]

As young as 5 with my youngest daughter. She received her Cricket single-shot .22 on her 5th birthday.

 

[zachcz]

Started my daughter when she was 9-10. Waited for her to show an interest. She loves shooting now. She’s 14 and I trust her way more than anyone that’s ever in a stall beside me at the range.

 

[Farmerjon]

Before they could "cock" a BB gun. Major reason for buying them the Rossi 410/22 combo. Single shot 22 break open. We slaughtered a bunch of old eggs (they pop when ripe!) and broken clay pigeons. I'd say they were kindergarten to first grade, maybe a year earlier. That was back in the late '80's!