Having children I am constantly asking myself when would I like to expose my daughter to guns. I am constantly teaching her about gun safety but she has never actually seen it not does she know where I have it stored. I think her curiosity would be worse than her actually knowing about it.

She was 14 months, here, with her five-year-old big sister's brand new birthday gun.



Here she was three.



Took to it like a duck takes to water.

I figger, the sooner the better.

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I always take precautions

in my opinion you cant teach them too early. i would wait until she can safely support and fire the gun on her own before id let her try shooting.
probably about 6-7 years old depending on the kid

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the rules? there are no rules

My daughter started shooting with me @5, give or take a bit. She got her first shotgun at 12.

Grandson was earlier than that. He's now 9, and is allowed to get his .22 out and shoot from the bench without direct supervision. (Of course, I, his dad or his other grandpa are never very far away)

Start them early, train them right and trust them when they earn it. Only you know when they're ready. (Maturity is NOT a requirement, half the folks on here wouldn't qualify)

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

the kids age your yours?
It depends on the kid. They don't all mature at the same pace and some are just psychologically unfit for the responsibility.
as the Father here, you need to do some brutally honest evaluation of your child's maturity and mindset before proceeding.
Really, it hinges on that alone, and we are the last people you want to ask. We don't know her

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it just needs more voltage

I suppose the "right" age to introduce kids to shooting varies with the individual child. My daughters and now my granddaughter (pictured) started when they were around 6 years old. I started her twin brother at the same time.

My daughters started shooting w/ Daisey Red Ryder B.B. guns in the backyard when they were about 6 yrds. old. Then I moved them on to shooting my .22 rifles. Bought them their own 10-22's when they were 9 yrs. old. Today they are both very competent shooters with rifles or pistols. Cool!

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While this doesn't directly address age, it has good advice for introducing girls to shooting sports.

7 Tips for introducing young girls to shootingHunting, shooting, fishing and adventure for women by women

My son grew up seeing my guns. He was always warned never to talk about guns at his school. He got a pellet gun for his 7th birthday, a single shot .22 rifle for his 8th birthday, and a Ruger 1022 6 months later as a Christmas present. He has always been responsible around firearms.

Obviously it depends on the child. I start teaching my son on anything as soon as he shows an interest. This way we get the idea that it's a "toy" right out of his mind and we do it while he's interested.

However, safety is important to get early. So, my son has been shown how to operate all of my guns. He can correctly handle them all and knows how to clear them. Even so, he has little interest in shooting. That doesn't matter to me, but safety is everyone's job.

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Freedom isn't free.

I agree that it depends on the child. When you believe they fully understand what a gun is, the safety issues involved and the responsabilty of shooting, by all means go for it.

One of my favorite stories:
When my youngest was about 6 or7, I was preparing for a range trip. I laid my Model 17 on the table while I gathered up some other stuff. I turned around and their was my son handing me the revolver, butt first with the cylinder open. Then with a very stern look on his face he said "You shouldn't leave this laying around."
BTW: he went on to rank Expert in Basic Training and was assigned to the Sniper Section in his National Guard Unit.

My daughter is 9 right now and she really doesn't show any interest in guns. I really just want to educate her so if she ever came across a gun she would understand that's it's not a toy. She's pretty responsible for a 9 year old so I guess it's time to start looking into .22 rifles. I hope she picks up interest in guns and losses interest in video games.

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We started all three of ours at age 5. Bought each of them their first gun at age 10. By the time the youngest was 5 he was patterning off his older siblings and was not about to put up with being denied shooting what they were shooting!

Started my son at 5. My daughters were later, maybe 7 or 8. All still shoot being in their 40's & 50's.They have the guns I've passed on to them.

I and my 10 yr old grandson went out today with 22 cal single six. After a year with BB gun it was time to step up. For being the first time he shot the pistol well, and paid attn. to instruction. We had a great day!!!

For my sons 5th birthday I bought a used bolt action single shot .22. I used a hacksaw to cut the barrel to 17 in. I used a flat file and triangle file to cut a new dovetail for the front sight. I shortened the stock and used sand paper and a wood rasp to thin the stock and fore end. Bought a 1 in. leather strap for a sling and the shop stamped his name on the sling. He shot it several times and then I aimed at insulator on my fence and knocked it off. He has out grew it but he still has it. Larry

All the kids in my family could swim before we walked. I'd say whenever they show an interest for it. Don't push them into it & think baby steps & advance as tolerated.

started shooting when I was somewhere between the age of 5 through 8 years old.

When I was 5 I started out with toy cap guns then I went to BB guns then at age 8 I handled my grandpa's shotguns and trained with them using dummy rounds.

I started shooting with live ammunition just a few short years ago.