At what age

[rabagley]

My girl is 10 months old. I'm still modifying a Marlin 39A down to 26.25" long to be her first gun.

We'll take it out when she's ready. I'm hoping four or five or so.

[rimfire17]

For Dad's with daughters:

We had guns in the house from the time I could remember and I loved sitting and watching my Dad clean them. When I got older I always badgered him to take me shooting, but he never did.

He gave my brother a shotgun, but my brother was so hippified, he let it rust and my Dad took it back.

He never did take me shooting. I think he missed out on a great bonding opportunity.

So when I got old enough, I bought my own guns. :-) My Dad says he regrets not taking me, but he was old school and didn't think girls should be taught to shoot.

He's changed that opinion.

The point is -- give your daughters a chance to go shooting with you. As they get older, it gets more and more difficult to find something to do with them. Shooting is an activity that can keep you close.

Plus, when they move off on their own, they should be armed. I kept a Glock 9mm on the headboard. It gave one boyfriend serious performance anxiety!

BTW, I gave my daughter a red ryder at 5.

[forgiven]

Started both my sons shooting .22's at the ages of 4 & 6. Gave them their first guns for Christmas at the ages of 6 & 8. The gifts were Ruger Bearcats and Marlin stainless semi-auto rifles.
I've given my sons many guns since and their now both grown and responsible men, never once gave my wife and I any kind of problems. I firmly believe that a family who hunts and shoots together stays together.

[Z ME FLY]

I think it depends on the way the kid follows directions. Some of my younger cousins are very smart, listen, and have common sense. The other ones don't listen and just do whatever they want. I really wish my dad was into shooting. I remember when I FINALLY got a BB air rifle when I was 12... a month later my mom threw it away.
Finding something in common with your kids=quality time= better relationship. I can tell you if my parents accepted and were into guns we would have a lot better relationship. Plus you start them off young, give them common sense when it comes to guns, later on they will be a lot safer. Plus having two extra small hands to help load mags are always good!

[Z ME FLY]

I've given my sons many guns since and their now both grown and responsible men, never once gave my wife and I any kind of problems. I firmly believe that a family who hunts and shoots together stays together.

haha wish my folks were like this....

[lokote]

.

i shot my first gun (a 12 gauge) at age six with my uncle which was a horrible experience i had a bad azz bruise for a couple of weeks but my first gun was a marlin 925m that my dad got me

[dan12580]

i got my son a wingmaster jr. a little early, ill admit, hes 21 months but the wife can shoot it until he can. other then that hes got around 40 or 50 guns should i keel over anytime soon. damn i cant wait to take him out shooting.

[highpowermatch]

Both my son and daughter were 7 when they got their first rifle. they were shooting since they were 6 and can recite range safety as if it were their abc's. Am very proud!