Kids and Guns? When do you think you should introduce gun safety to kids?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:15:45 -0400

Do you believe in introduce kids to gun safety young? As far back as I can remember hunting and guns have been apart of my life, I want the same for my kids. I have always got some flack from friends who do not hold the same true.

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Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 11 at 2015 3:16 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:16:50 -0400

I stay silent when it comes to guns/weapons/2nd Amendment topics as I see the advantages and disadvantages to both ends of the spectrum. I would like to read everyone's input though.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 3:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:24:57 -0400

My oldest heathen. We try to take him at least twice a month to a range. (this picture is a couple years old).

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made May 11 at 2015 3:36 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:36:28 -0400

I think the answer to that question is that gun safety should be introduced to kids as soon as they have access to guns (authorized or not) and when they can understand it.

If you have guns in the house and kids in the house, gun safety education is a must, even if you think they don't have access to them. That is true, also, if they will be at other locations that may have guns.

At the vey least, kids should be taught to never touch a gun unless an adult gives it to them.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 3:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:38:00 -0400

My son fired his first real weapon at 4 years old. He fired a .380 pistol. I wanted him to be aware of what it does and how it feels. The weight of the pistol and the feel of the gun kicking. I assisted him with it and afterwards inspected the holes left in the target. He also asked to shoot my 12 gauge the same day and I let him do that also, again with assistance. Since then, I have never forced shooting on him. He will shoot when he is ready but he now knows the destruction a gun can do it improperly handled.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 4:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:11:03 -0400

COL Jean (John) F. B. hit it on the head. Personally I think they should be raised to respect firearms whether it's hunting/sporting/home defense. One of the ways to instill that respect would be training and proper supervised use. It's up to the parent to decide when the child is ready. I would advocate it. I always knew where our firearms were and what they could do. My Dad taught me to shoot them and to respect them when I was young. I think it's a great skill to have regardless if they hunt or shoot for sport.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 4:14 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:14:01 -0400

I was introduced at a younger age, around 7-8. It honestly, from my view, gave me no reason to fear guns. I believe the same you do.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 11 at 2015 4:38 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:38:58 -0400

Kids need to learn 'treat, never, keep, keep, know' as soon a they have the capacity to learn it. They also need to learn how to clear a weapon, then progress to manual of arms and shooting, all properly, safely and effectively. Until they are ready for this they just know it is only OK to touch a gun with mommy or daddy or adults parents have authorized. And it's important to remove the forbidden fruit aspect. Any time they want to see it, treat it properly, make it a moment to teach all discussed earlier and once clear let them hold it, follow the rules. When a friend asks someday in the future, and you're not around, it'll be 'nah I'm only supposed to touch that with mommy and daddy and it's pretty boring anyway.' instead of 'oh yeah I never get to play with that mysterious toy that daddy loves and is in the heroes hands in all the movies.'

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 4:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:47:17 -0400

A gun is a tool, to be used for it's intended purpose and nothing else. It is not a toy.
Should you have guns in the house, of course you keep them secured. But that makes them the tempting forbidden fruit to a young mind.

Start with the basics of "don't touch unless an adult is with you".
When they are old enough, you can teach fundamentals and safety with an air rifle or plinker. Target shooting is fun, after all.
When they are ready for a real gun, it is time to take them to a real gun safety course (required by law in many states) run by a private firm or local law enforcement.
Then it is time to get them one of their own, for them to take care of and respect. Ammunition I would always keep in lockdown until they are old enough to buy their own.
My two cents.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 4:56 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:56:02 -0400

Over the weekend, my husband and I were at the NRA range in Fairfax. Two lanes away from us, there was a father and son shooting a variety of different pistols. It was apparent the father was teaching his son the fundamentals of shooting and gun safety. I would love to see more of that in America than people who hate/fear firearms.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 11 at 2015 8:29 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 11 May 2015 20:29:45 -0400

I'll have to qualify "how" I was raised first: We had rifles and pistols in the house. Grew up in rural, western Colorado. If we wanted to go squirrel hunting with our friends, we grabbed a box of ammo and our favorite squirrel gun. At that time, Hunter's Safety was offered at the 7th/8th grade... and it was offered through the School District in conjunction with the Dept of Wildlife. Most of us took it. Colorado also (then) required a valid Hunters' Safety Card to be presented prior to securing a hunting license. Before I picked up my first M-16, I already had considerable "trigger time." Now days, these things would probably offend most school districts. I believe the Hunters' Safety "in the schools" program was dissolved in the late 80's. Too bad. The responsibility is now on YOU.

Every kid is different --and I've taught them accordingly. But, if my kid sees a firearm at their friend's house, they may not know how to field strip the weapon. But, they do know that there is a time & place for 'em. My kids aren't fearful... but rather, respectful... They may not know how to handle all of my guns & rifles. But, they do know how to handle THEMSELVES with guns and rifles.

Off to the indoor shooting range with my daughters...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 9:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:11:40 -0400

All my children age 21, 17, 9, and 8 can either load the snub nose 357 or my 9mm semi. Turn on the laser, aim center mass and put rounds down range. They can work the .22 rifle as well as the 243 with pretty decent accuracy! Deer, Turkey, and pretty good Squirrel hunters! They do not fear the fire arms, but they respect them!

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made May 11 at 2015 9:18 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:18:03 -0400

Are there any federal age limits or restrictions as to when a child can be introduced to various weapons? I had to have been introduced at an early age as I got my hunting license at 12 years. I always had a healthy fear of weapons and I removed myself from those around me to immature or stupid to use one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 9:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:23:39 -0400

I taught all three of my kids from a very young age about guns. By the time they were 10 a gun was just seen as another tool. The mystery and fascination was gone.

Just today I went to the range with my oldest. She's 24 years old. I gave here a S&W model 60 a few years ago and this weekend decided she wanted to start carrying. I took her to the range for a little trigger time with her carry gun. She also has a Kahr K9 9mm, but feels more comfortable with the revolver.

The other picture was last year with my youngest, 13 at the time, with my Ruger Vaquero .357, but loaded with .38 special.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 9:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:32:21 -0400

Well I don't have any kids, but my brother has 2 daughters. He has taught them from a very early age gun safety and how to properly shoot. When I go on leave to visit I usually bring some of my guns so we can all go shoot. They are very respectful of the weapons and do the right thing at all times.

Now that being said my brother did get a little peeved when I showed them how to do a stack and room entry(no weapons involved). I did get them super soakers and we did "surprise" him one day with a entry...lol. He played along good until they flex cuffed him...lol

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made May 11 at 2015 10:05 PM

SGT Michael Touchet — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:05:01 -0400

I like most my age, grew up in southern Louisiana hunting since I was a young boy. While in elementary school we had hunter safety classes. We were allowed to shoot clay pigeons out on the playground. I had my first Savage 4-10 shotgun at the age of 5. I grew up respecting guns, always keeping them locked up. I learned never to play with guns because they were not toys. I taught my son at an early age these same lessons. Our entire family shoots together at the range. Keeping weapons secure is the key to safety.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 11:05 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 23:05:56 -0400

Age depends on what you mean by 'gun safety'. That they shouldn't touch a gun: as soon as they see a real one or you think they might and you can communicate the idea. Proper handling of a fire arm, including som marksmanship: when _you_ think they should (and only after that training should there be ANY exception to the first lesson).

Response by SPC Angel Guma made May 12 at 2015 3:17 AM

SPC Angel Guma — Tue, 12 May 2015 03:17:33 -0400

I would say it depends on the maturity level and age of the child. Everyone's personality is going to be slightly different. What sort of weapons were you going to train them on?

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made May 12 at 2015 7:37 AM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Tue, 12 May 2015 07:37:46 -0400

I took the time to teach my children very young on safety of a firearm.
So i feel the earlier the better.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 12 at 2015 10:19 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:19:25 -0400

You can never start too young, but the topics of gun safety should evolve as teh child gets older. Start them off at an early age with the basics of safety (don't touch unless an adult is supervising, if you see a gun don't touch and get an adult, etc). As the child gets older, shift to safe handling of firearms and responsible use. The key is to demystify firearms. What gets kids in trouble is that they are curious and/or see it as a toy.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 12 at 2015 10:26 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:26:44 -0400

The moment you decide to have a gun in the home and/or they are old enough to possibly end up (little one are adventurous, curious and very creative) with said gun in their little hands.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 10:51 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:51:14 -0400

We started teaching gun safety to our kids around age 5. We go over it every couple of months. It's very important that kids see our guns not as some scary, terrible thing they should be afraid of, but as a tool which should be respected, just like fire. They know not to touch any guns they see, but instead to go find an adult and tell them. My kids (starting at age 8) start shooting the guns so they know the mechanics of how a gun operates. This is something parents need to take the lead role in as soon as possible.

Response by SPC David S. made May 12 at 2015 11:55 AM

SPC David S. — Tue, 12 May 2015 11:55:45 -0400

With gun safety I don't think you can every start to young regardless of if you have guns in your home or not as their friends parents might. My father always has a loaded gun and other guns around his house so I always go over the rules about firearms safety with my daughter before we go see grandpa. Even though my father is a responsible gun owner knowing that there are guns in his home plus with the added curiosity of a ten year old I always tell her

"If you see a gun assume its loaded so don't pick it up or even touch it. No if's and's or but's about it."

I think being raised around guns you have a different attitude about them than those that aren't as accustomed to the responsibility of gun ownership.

Response by SFC Robert Wheeler made May 29 at 2015 8:56 AM

SFC Robert Wheeler — Fri, 29 May 2015 08:56:05 -0400

I strongly feel that gun education should start as young as possible. Children need to understand the difference between toys and games and the real deal. My dad taught me at a very early age to handle real firearms responsibly and it stayed with me my whole life.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made May 29 at 2015 1:05 PM

CPO Frank Coluccio — Fri, 29 May 2015 13:05:02 -0400

The second you bring one into a home!!!

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made May 29 at 2015 1:24 PM

GySgt Joe Strong — Fri, 29 May 2015 13:24:53 -0400

To me this is really simple.
When did you teach your kids not to play with kitchen knives, not to break knick-knacks, not to lick or insert things into electrical sockets. Truth - you just did it every day from the moment they could crawl, so, you don't really have a definitive point where you trained them on knife safety, chatzke safety or electrical safety - same thing should go for guns.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 29 at 2015 11:31 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 29 May 2015 23:31:53 -0400

Firearms safety definitely needs to be taught young with emphasis on the fact that they aren't for playing around with. Along with that firearms and ammo should be locked in a safe or locked room where the kids don't have access. They shouldn't be holding or using the firearms unless the parents or another responsible adult is supervising.

It is important to teach them young as there are plenty of cases of kids and teens playing around with firearms in ways that they shouldn't and then end up shooting something or worse someone. The recent incident involving a couple of Airmen here at Whiteman was as a result of poor decisions being made and mishandling a firearm. It cost one Airman his life and another to be locked up pending very serious charges. Firearms are not toys and if children understand that young catastrophes can be avoided.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 12:14 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:14:19 -0400

I believe we should introduce our children to weapons as early as possible. I have taught mine as well as others when asked to do so. Teach gun safety, teach responsibility, teach proper shooting technique and don't forget to teach them how to break them down safely and clean them too.

Response by Raymond Bautista made Dec 20 at 2015 3:16 PM

Raymond Bautista — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 15:16:40 -0500

I was introduced to guns when I was 3, not to shoot them, but to learn what to do if I happened to find one, the whole safety thing, if you don't teach the danger of a gun and simply shield them and tell kids no, you do need to teach them safety and the danger about them or their first experience with a firearm could be their last. I was 5 when I learned to shoot. First a single shot .22 rifle, then a .22 short revolver, then a .410 which I went on a kids duck hunt, to my amazement there was a 6 year old using a 12 gauge. But he was able to handle it and was big for 6. Start with a firearm they can handle and using airsoft to teach safety of proper handling works great and if an accident happens with airsoft it will not be lethal. I have seen adults do stupid things with guns at the range, like once a guy would look down the barrel of his firearm when it jammed. Well I left the firing line and refused to be near an idiot like that.

Response by Ashley Bray made Sep 22 at 2017 12:01 AM

Ashley Bray — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:01:01 -0400

The sooner the better. When the child can comprehend and know the dangers, and safety measures to take, that is the time