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Guns and Kids ? ...went well

mvandmvand Member Posts: 26 ✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
Hello all,
My wife and I will be joining my good friend and his family at an outdoor shooting range this weekend, and I have some concerns as to what extent we allow his children to participate. In addition to a couple of larger firearms, I will be bringing my .22 rifle, and he has a .22 handgun, and from what he as said I believe he is planning on allowing the kids, ages about 8 and 11, to handle these (under direct supervision, of course). I realize that each child has a different sense of responsibility and maturity, but I would appreciate any input, guidelines or thoughts as to how to go about introducing guns to these little ones, or even if this should be done at this age. Thanks for your help,
Mark.



Edited by - mvand on 08/18/2002 02:33:31
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Comments

  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    First off, I don't think that this is too early, if anything I would say it's about time.
    Use a bottle of colored water (or tomato juice or similar colorfull liquid) to impress on them the POWER of what they hold in their hand. Stress the 10 commandments of safe gun handling (really there is only one commandment - never point a gun at anything/anyone/anyplace unless you plan to kill it).

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kids are great at gun ranges, they can, PICK UP ALL THE BRASS. Just kidding.You will have to watch each one and see if they are mature enough to understand the rules of safety, and if can handle the guns. I started mine out at 6 years old, with a single shot 22 rifle. He did fine.

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • Harleeman1030Harleeman1030 Member Posts: 1,505 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My girl can out shoot a lot of the boys at my club lol...And she's a lefty...I started her out last year about this time she's 7 now...4 Year old boy is starting to shoot the .22 single shot with my help...Teach them young and show them how much you respect guns they will do the same

    Harleeman1030@aol.com
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  • marinebadgermarinebadger Member Posts: 115 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I absolutely agree...the faster you can teach them respect and proper handling, the better off and Safer they are. If you teach them to respect firearms, they will be safe around all firearms, not just at the range. My first shooting experience was around 4 or 5...Winchester 61 that dad helped me hold and pump...I still love that rifle

    "a Freudian slip is when you say one thing and mean amother"
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  • 13FOX13FOX Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Took my son to the range a couple of weeks ago. Hes 13 yrs old. I put my glock 22 in his hands and you should have seen the looks on some of the faces that were there. I just laughed, when he tore the bullzeye outa the target we were shooting at they went back to minding their own buisness.
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Different people can bring reasonable disagreement,or agreement.I have started off my soon to be 5yr old Nephew on the Lever action 22,of course he never has complete control of the gun.I will set him beside me on the bench and help support the rifle while he cracks them off.I feel he is being educated on the devastation a gun can do.And I consider that a Plus.I have a 2yr old that will be next when hes 4 or 5 deoending on his stature.And if it were up to my wife I would have a half Dozen of my own to share a great tradition with.

    Rugster


    Tou Jours Pret
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  • pikeal1pikeal1 Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November -1
    I took my ex girlfriends little brother to the range a couple of times. He was 12 at the time and shot a Glock 9mm pretty well. I say its good to start them young...but I dont think that there is a specific age for when to start them off. It all depends on the child. I think they will be fine so long as they are taught the safety lessons and they are shown the power of a firearm. at the very least it will satisfy their curiousit about firearms and they will learn the consequences of "playing" with one.

    Alex
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  • BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
    edited November -1
    It really helps to have 2 adults there who know the range/safety rules. If you are sure of the other Dad - one can handle the one-on-one with each kid and the firearm, the other can keep an eye out for range safety. It is hard to have 2 kids shooting at once unless you have 3 adults.
    I take both my kids to the range often - so they know the rules, but while they shoot their .22s I still whatch to make sure there are no problems. They have to stop to let me shoot every now and then. I have let them shoot my lower powered rifles and Mom's cowboy .38. My Daughter can out shoot me with a scope, hands down. My Boy and I are about even, but he just needs time....

    IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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  • Wild TurkeyWild Turkey Member Posts: 2,425 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I took my sons out when they were 5 or 6 and showed them what happend to a full can of soda when hit with at 22LRHP, then I showed them the difference in size between a 22, the 9mm my brother had and the .30-'06 rounds.

    After that they paid attention to the safety rules.

    Impress them young and teach them right before TV and buddies tell them otherwise (or they decide they know it all and you're just trying to spoil the fun!)

    Wild Turkey"if your only tool is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail"
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Take along some ear protection in case you find one of the kids emotionally sensitive to the loud noises. Better to have a kid who is unsure start with them on and decide to take them off than not to have any ear protection and have a kid cringing over by the car.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • hunter280manhunter280man Member Posts: 705 ✭
    edited November -1
    I would have to agree with all the above!

    1 teach young
    2 learn respect
    3 see the power and end result
    4 close eye on each child and one on one supervision

    5 HAVE FUN!



    Though I was born to royalty, I was snatched at birth, so treat me as the noble I am!!!
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Like many things with children, best not to force them into doing it, but if they have the maturity and close supervision, it is a great way to spend time with them. Absolutely bring plenty of ear protection!! Young ears are still developing, even if the owners aren't on the firing line.
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  • HighballHighball Member Posts: 15,755
    edited November -1
    Agree with most above..
    NEVER allow anyone to shoot without ear protection..or be close to the firing line without.
    Always allow only ONE new shooter on the line at a time..you cannot watch two at a time safely..
    DO NOT lose your temper at safety infractions or lapses in judgement on a new shooters part..they HAVE no judgement yet..thats your job.
    Stay close enough to reach the barrel of the gun for awhile..so you can take control of it when that burst of excitment turns the barrel in an unsafe direction..
    They will want to shoot all your ammo up the first time out...but don't allow the session to go on so long that they become exhausted..save some 'want to' for the next time.

    God,Guts,& GunsHave we lost all 3 ??
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  • MrNathanLeeMrNathanLee Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i would suggest everything everyone else has said but i would also suggest (although you may not want to do this considering the fact that i was older when i first shot and the fact that im still mostly a kid myself at only 19) that you also bring something along the lines of a 38 or 357 revolver or maybe even a 9mm for them to shoot IF you feel they can handle it after they have been taught the safety on the 22. Thats what my dad did and is probably one of of not the best things he ever did for me imho.

    Gun control is being able to hit your target...Enemy Down
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  • mvandmvand Member Posts: 26 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the input....it turned out to be very helpful. As it turned out, the kids were really good, and the parents were watching them closely, and we all had a lot of fun. The kids were using the .22 rifle and baretta handgun, (which I thought was a lot of fun as well), and we had our GP100 and their Glock 17. I am a beginner, and it really showed.....I think I need some help...hehe. Did much better with the Ruger than the Glock. Also had my first try at shooting skeet with my buddy's 12g.......That was a lot of fun! (Even if it was only 7 hits out of 25) Is it normal to have a bit of a stiff shoulder and cheek from that? LOL. Thanks again for all the suggestions!
    Mark.
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like you had a great time. Good to hear. And yes a 12ga. can leave an impression. LOL If you get into shooting trap/skeet, find a shotgun that "fits" you. With the right gun and gear it is ALOT of fun.

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • jdb123jdb123 Member Posts: 471 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    kids are great at the range, but remember like the guy in "FMJ" said just dont lead em' so much.
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