Introducing kids to shooting

[559BearDown]

Just took my 9 year old shooting for the first time. Henry youth lever 22. Proud Dad moment seeing her following the 4 rules of firearm safety and the joy on her face after hitting her first targets.

[Dirtlaw]

This concept is something I plan to work on as one the areas of involvement for my foundation ... as soon as I get my life back. Probably focusing on hunting.

[Usmc0844spare]

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.

Honestly, BB guns in the backyard (or garage) is one of those "what? gee officer I didn't know that" tightropes I'd willingly walk. If you know your neighbors well, could literally never become a "thing" as long as no BBs or pellets end up in their yards.