where to take a 7yr old to shoot?

[luisdeleon]

i'm planning on getting him a single shot 22lr rifle one of those rossi 410/22lr but i don't know where i can take him. and has anyone been out to shoot on the island in the delta? bear? winter? is it legal?

[badicedog]

i'm planning on getting him a single shot 22lr rifle one of those rossi 410/22lr but i don't know where i can take him. and has anyone been out to shoot on the island in the delta? bear? winter? is it legal?

Just my 2 cents worth.... He better be the most mature, responsible 7 year old. Why not start with a pellet gun/rifle? I'm all for gun rights, but I know I will not take my son shooting until he is 10-12 years old.

[damndave]

Just my 2 cents worth.... He better be the most mature, responsible 7 year old. Why not start with a pellet gun/rifle? I'm all for gun rights, but I know I will not take my son shooting until he is 10-12 years old.

+1... too young IMHO

[mecam]

Just my 2 cents worth.... He better be the most mature, responsible 7 year old. Why not start with a pellet gun/rifle? I'm all for gun rights, but I know I will not take my son shooting until he is 10-12 years old.

+1, pellet gun is a good start.

[berto]

I think a 7 year old under adult supervision might be ok with a .22. Only one way to find out.

[luisdeleon]

good advise, thanks everyone. he looks like a 9-10 , he's big, i think he can handle it. if he is alone with me, and no smaller brother around. i figure why spend money on a airgun when i can buy a 22, put aguilla 500fps rounds and tech him. but thats why i ask for peples opinions to see what they think. i have been roming around the Young Calgunners and have seen pics of children looking alot smaller

[nick]

Most indoor ranges I know of don't allow minors until 12 or so, so the outdoor ranges would be a better bet. My 9-year old niece had no problems at some of them, and those are the ones we go to now.

You're not in my area though, so I can't recommend a specific range.

[hawk1]

Two words, muzzle awareness.
He may be big enough to physically handle the rifle. The bigger question is he mature enough to constantly be aware of where he's pointing it at?

[live2offroad]

Asking this question opens you up to one of the most insidious threats on the web... Uninvited parenting advice, it's easy to catch and hard to get rid of..

On the topic, I'd suggest making a day of it (or a couple of days) and head up to National Forest land or BLM land.. I was about 6 (first grade) when I shot my first .22, I've loved guns ever since..

[cactus]

My son started at 4 it all depends on there maturity level and abilities. His first gun was an old Ithica lever action that only held one round. He had to open the breach, load a round, close the breach, cock it, and then turn the safety off, all while dad saying " finger off the trigger ". Also my 10gauge verses a pumpkin was a strong visual of the power guns have! The same token my daughter is 4 and there's no way shes ready. My son had a great time at the area 52 shoot last year. Thanks to the members here he still hasn't stop talking about his " adventure " and how " awsome " it was to shoot an MP-5 ( under my extremely close as shadow supervision ). Hes turning 7 in couple months and getting a GSG-5. I know we will start all over with gun safety and lots of hands on empty gun chamber flag installed training, progressing to one round in the magazine and so on. As for places to shoot I cant be of any help in the bay area. One thing I always remember when im shooting is he will remember everything I do good or bad so set a good example and he will probably make you a much more safety conscious shooter. Good luck and have fun creating the memories! By the way that's my boy on the left shooting with me when he was 4 good times!

[shoupdawg]

Chuck E. Cheese imho.

[Nodda Duma]

lol 7 years is too young? 7 years old would have been LATE 30 years ago...

But of course it all comes down to maturity, not age.

-Jason

[Jeff P]

Luis,
Call the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and gun club http://www.lprg.org/ My 9 year son and myself shoot there. Be prepared to have the range master over your shoulder, until they feel comfortable. He will only be able to shoot a 22 rim fire rifle.

[Capt. Speirs]

good advise, thanks everyone. he looks like a 9-10 , he's big, i think he can handle it. if he is alone with me, and no smaller brother around. i figure why spend money on a airgun when i can buy a 22, put aguilla 500fps rounds and tech him. but thats why i ask for peples opinions to see what they think. i have been roming around the Young Calgunners and have seen pics of children looking alot smaller

Its not his size, it is his disposition and level of maturity. I started my boys out with non-lethal Airsoft to learn gun safety then when I was satified, moved 'em up to the "Real Deal".

[Wizard99]

I've taken my kids 9 and 11 to YSA up by winters. Good range, nice people. I'm looking for public land not to far away to take them out shooting. Some thing more reactive than paper.