That's....
18?? That's awful. Shooting is something the whole family could/should enjoy.
18?? That's awful. Shooting is something the whole family could/should enjoy.
Old enough to shoot?
- Thread starter Ruger_Up
- Start date
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yeah, that does suck. Are you sure it's an absolute 18 years old? Not "under 18 must be accompanied by an adult"? That's the way it is at my club.
luangtom
US Veteran
Five y.o. is fine, if YOU judge his mind-set and knowledge of safety is workable. My sons were taken out at age four by my father to show them the damage a mere .22 could do to someone. Coming from grandpa, it made an impact. His filled one-gallon jug exploded upon impact and then he told them that is what would happen were someone they loved to be accidently shot in the head, were they to ever sneak and play with a firearm. It lives with them to this day. One is now 40 and the other is 36. We started them out at five with a Chipmunk and moved up to the 10/22. They rode many times to the range on their bikes with a 10/22 strapped to the handle-bars. Our children are the future of firearms in America.
Dad, you are doing great!!
Just two words:
CONSTANT SUPERVISION
while at the range.
Just two words:
CONSTANT SUPERVISION
while at the range.
Both of my sons started shooting at about the same age as your son. It was a wonderful experience for both of them: They learned discipline, safety, hand-eye coordination, and patience. Teaching them early about firearms also 'gun-proofed' them, and ensured that if they encountered a gun outside our home (in a friend's home, for example) they would know not to touch it.
At age 23, my younger son was accepted into a very prestigious federal law enforcement agency. When they started pistol training in their second week at the Academy, he was clearly shooting very well, and his instructor asked him if he had some shooting experience. He said that he did. How many years have you been shooting, the instructor wanted to know? About 19, answered my son...
He ended up being the top shooter in his class, and has shot perfect requalification scores since his graduation.
You're doing the right thing teaching your son to shoot...congratulations on being such a responsible Dad!
Cpo1944
Member
Every child is different. Only you as the parent can make the decision as to if the child is ready. Sounds like you have a very good plan and safety is the first thing they must learn. Straight finger muzzle to the ground.
At his level of performance (trigger finger where it belongs and muzzle pointed the right way), he is clearly old enough to shoot. Since you have actual physical control over the situation, you are clearly doing the right thing.
Good work!
Good work!
Rastoff
US Veteran
OK, I was just curious. Man, I'm really sorry to hear about that suicide.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
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I recall Skeeter Skelton publishing a picture of his son touching off a Ruger Super Blackhawk at age 6.
sipowicz
Member
M3Stuart
Member
That age - It's your call. I'm an NRA certified instructor and have, recently, taught 100+ boy scouts between the ages of 11 and 17 how to shoot.
Couple things I teach;
Never shoot any animals; no birds, no squirrels, no turtles, no snakes, not even poisonous snakes (unless they're messing with YOU - not vice versa). Learning to hunt is different and I don't want them 'learning to shoot' by blasting animals. There will be no vigilante-nature-witch hunts on my range.
I prefer to teach with bolt action rifles because it teaches aim and trigger control vs. just blasting away. Also, when the side of a .22 shell erupts it doesn't blow out the side of the action on a bolt action gun.
In any regard, it's your call and, as always, be safe.
Edit: If you want to teach your kids how to shoot without waiting until they are 18; sign them up for Boy Scouts! Summer camp is right around the corner and the VAST majority of them have .22 and Shotgun ranges! (though they may not let them shoot the shotguns until they're older) They aslo teach black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing and more! Check it out!
Couple things I teach;
Never shoot any animals; no birds, no squirrels, no turtles, no snakes, not even poisonous snakes (unless they're messing with YOU - not vice versa). Learning to hunt is different and I don't want them 'learning to shoot' by blasting animals. There will be no vigilante-nature-witch hunts on my range.
I prefer to teach with bolt action rifles because it teaches aim and trigger control vs. just blasting away. Also, when the side of a .22 shell erupts it doesn't blow out the side of the action on a bolt action gun.
In any regard, it's your call and, as always, be safe.
Edit: If you want to teach your kids how to shoot without waiting until they are 18; sign them up for Boy Scouts! Summer camp is right around the corner and the VAST majority of them have .22 and Shotgun ranges! (though they may not let them shoot the shotguns until they're older) They aslo teach black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing and more! Check it out!
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