Introducing kids to shooting

[heypete]

Hi all,

I have two small kids (5 and almost 3 years old). I want to introduce them to shooting and guns in a safe and fun way. At this point the kids have no experience with guns, other than my oldest asking what one was when I was moving things around (and that was just curiosity about an unknown object, not interest in guns in particular) and seeing the Coyote attempt (and fail) to use them to catch the Roadrunner.

If I lived in a rural area, this would probably start with BB guns and tin cans, but alas, I'm in the East Bay suburbs and plinking cans in the backyard is verboten.

The local range here allows kids as young as 6, but only for BB rifle and airsoft. Starting at 8 they can shoot rimfire and at 11 they can shoot rifles. 13 and up can shoot handguns. All while accompanied by adults, of course.

Those age limits aren't unreasonable, but I was hoping to introduce them to shooting without having them get scared off by loud rifles nearby on the line. When teaching new adults, they tend to adapt pretty quickly and have an expectation that guns are loud and are somewhat mentally prepared. With kids, they might understand that guns are loud but the sound can still be quite jarring and off-putting.

I'm curious what other people in similar situations have done, at what ages, and if the kids have maintained that interest over time.

[plumbum]

Start with airsoft, move up from there.
Red Ryder’s make zero noise, make a cardboard BB trap.
Once they’re acclimated, take a day trip and let them shoot a .22 and have a picnic somewhere. Make good memories.

[Ora Serrata]

When you do eventually bring them to the range use double ear protection - foamies as well as headphones. Research ahead of time when the slowest times on the range are (so not on the weekends), see if you can get a stall away from other shooters, maybe at the end of a lane, so they also don't get pelted by flying brass.

I've had adults get scared off because they didn't have sufficient hearing protection and were getting pelted by neighbors' brass.

BTW: those really cheap Crossman 1911 wannabe clone bb guns are pretty quiet, and aren't that powerful. I started my kids off with one of those in the backyard shooting at pumpkins around Halloween time. Pick a place in the yard you're not overlooked.

[IVC]

Go to an outdoor range - I have two daughters, 13 and 11, and the younger one got intimidated by the noise. The older one had no problem and started with rimfire rifle before shooting handguns. She was around nine or ten, I believe.

Make sure you teach them the "non-shooter safety" way before you get to teaching them how to shoot. The four rules when they see a gun are: (1) Stop what you're doing, (2) Don't touch, (3) Leave the area, and (4) Tell an adult.

These are very important rules, particularly since it's always other kids who get injured or killed when one of them finds a gun and starts playing with it.

[Tarmy]

My kids got started on BB and pellet guns...went to the woods, out camping in the wilderness, etc. Airsoft in the back yard.

Coyote sporting allows kids to shoot, so both got to shoot there about 9 or 10...both loved the shotguns...still do. They have a huge yearly kids shoot and BBQ...great family event. The used to give all the kids BB guns for gifts...

Indoor range in their teens...Boy Scouts had ranges too...
Handguns followed...both still love to shoot everything up to full auto and .50BMG...

[baih777]

Take the oldest to the range with you. Just to visit. Double hearing protection.
I have seen little kids terrified at the range.

[BillyMays]

Is your local range an outdoor range? Outdoor ranges are much more comfortable than indoor ranges as far as noise goes IMO. My young ones actually don't mind the noise and complain about hearing protection!

You can start by making a BB trap and learning handling and safety indoors with airsoft or BB guns. That will keep them entertained for quite a long time and they can learn the basics. Once they are ready, just head to the outdoor range and hope for the best. If you are lucky they won't mind the noise. You can double up on hearing protection if they need it. If you find it is still no good, see if you can take a weekend trip out to a rural area that allows shooting. I believe if they enjoy the indoor BB guns enough then one bad experience at the range won't be enough to shy them away.

[Widdle]

[buttfish]

Grew up on military bases, so . . . Then we had Boy Scouts (the real ones), which required a merit badge for "Marksmanship".

[Bassbones13]

Started all my boys at 3 with trigger discipline with super soakers and nerd guns then at 4 we started with red Ryder BB guns. Then started taking them to the range and just hanging out in the parking lot ( outdoor range). Then started taking them in and letting them shoot their BB guns there. Then rim fire. I only put one round in the magazine to start. Then 2. Then 3 then eventually a full magazine. Once they were comfortable with that I would have them stand behind me with a hand in my back so they could feel the difference in power to acclimate before they shot it themselves. Again. 1 round then 2 then 3 etc. I did this with each caliber of larger size. We practice safety and trigger discipline at home during this process as well.

[ac398]

I have 2 daughters 9 and 6. Started the older one on a red Ryder at 6, treating it exactly like a real gun. Moved to a rimfire rifle at 8. With the second one skipped the BB gun and started with the rimfire at 5. I realized that at the end of the day you can never be more than 1/2 second away from the rifle at any time and there was no real benefit to starting with a "fake" gun besides shooting in your yard. We did start talking about trigger discipline and the rules of shooting a good 6 months before actually shooting. Just my opinion.
For a rifle the only way to go is a Savage rascal unless you step up to the single shot Henry that can be upgraded to a magazine. Forget the cricket or anything that needs to be manually cocked before each shot.

[Kmai24]

Go to an outdoor range - I have two daughters, 13 and 11, and the younger one got intimidated by the noise. The older one had no problem and started with rimfire rifle before shooting handguns. She was around nine or ten, I believe.

Make sure you teach them the "non-shooter safety" way before you get to teaching them how to shoot. The four rules when they see a gun are: (1) Stop what you're doing, (2) Don't touch, (3) Leave the area, and (4) Tell an adult.

These are very important rules, particularly since it's always other kids who get injured or killed when one of them finds a gun and starts playing with it.

Amen IVC. Another very important set of rules to ingrain into your little ones besides the 4 common rules (assume every gun is loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot, always point your firearm in a safe direction and know your targets and it’s surroundings). I have 3 boys, ages 4, 3, and 1. I’ve been teaching the 2 older ones at 1-1/2 - 2yrs old. Before they bed down I would tell them the guns rules and have them recite them to me. We do this no less than 5 days a week if not every night. After reciting the 4 guns rules I would ask them scenario questions (ex: when you go to your friends house to play and their mom/dad accidentally left their gun out, what do you do? What if your friend says, want to see my daddy’s/mommy’s gun? Or their older brother/sister says want to see something “cool” and shows you a gun, what do you? They will give me the rules that IVC mentioned above. My boys know not to touch my guns unless they ask me and I’m the one showing it to them. Can’t wait to get them into shooting, might have to consider the BB guns/rifles.

Sorry for the rant, just a proud father. Start them young and be consistent and a others mentioned, check range schedule if it’s indoors to keep the booms to a minimal or outdoor range.

[amishfarmer]

What I've learned is every child is different and may need different approaches to introduce them to guns. I bought my oldest daughter a red Ryder for christmas about 4 or 5 years ago. Then found a old 22 on consignment about 2 years ago. She felt comfortable enough to shoot it just a few weeks ago. Of course during the time with the Ryder I taught and showed her how to shoot safely.
My youngest may need a different approach as she tends to get ahead of things as she gets excited. So I might wait until shes older for her to start.
What I'm trying to say is you know your kids better than anyone and you may have to use different techniques for each one. But it's always good to ask for ideas from those with experience.

[deadcoyote]

I started my kid on archery at age 6, when he could handle that with no safety issues we moved to BB guns, then he started shooting .22 rifles about 6 months ago.

[toiletfighter]

My seven year old son has been with me on range trips since he was about 4 1/2 or so. Mainly to get him used to the noise and to empahasize safety around firearms. Rifle shots as loud as .416 Barrett don’t bother him, and he’s a good helper, lugging around stands and picking up.

He’s had his own Buck (smaller Red Ryder) since that time as well, and again the primary focus is safety and handling over marksmanship. He even practices trigger and muzzle discipline with his Nerf guns now. Now he’s graduated to shooting my .22 PCP air rifles from bags, again with safety at the forefront of all things. At 30yds he’s becoming a good shot, consistently bullseyeing small apples and clays. Next up is a Savage Rascal that’s been in the safe since he was born.