Fireamrs Training for Youngsters

[lgm118icbm]

I was out to dinner with some of my girlfriends family last night. She has a couple young cousins (8-11yrs old) that are getting interested in guns. They have never shot anything before but I go shooting with their dad sometimes and the boys are always big time jealous; you know how boys are.

They see daddy going to the range, guns on TV and shoot-em-up video games and they are excited about guns. Their dad has always kept the guns away from them but they are the age where they are getting curious. But for the same reasons, it worries me that they have no real-life experience with firearms safety.


Firearms safety has been hammered into my head from such a young age from when I used to shoot back in the Boyscouts that is is second nature for me now.

I would love to take them shooting someday but I think it would be better if we started with a safety course first. I tried the NRA site but didn't really find much. Does anybody have any recommendations on firearms safety training near Irvine that is oriented towards young first timers?

[guns4life]

I was out to dinner with some of my girlfriends family last night. She has a couple young cousins (8-11yrs old) that are getting interested in guns. They have never shot anything before but I go shooting with their dad sometimes and the boys are always big time jealous; you know how boys are.

They see daddy going to the range, guns on TV and shoot-em-up video games and they are excited about guns. Their dad has always kept the guns away from them but they are the age where they are getting curious. But for the same reasons, it worries me that they have no real-life experience with firearms safety.


Firearms safety has been hammered into my head from such a young age from when I used to shoot back in the Boyscouts that is is second nature for me now.

I would love to take them shooting someday but I think it would be better if we started with a safety course first. I tried the NRA site but didn't really find much. Does anybody have any recommendations on firearms safety training near Irvine that is oriented towards young first timers?

Where are you located?

http://www.nrahq.org/education/nraday.asp

[Steyrlp10]

Sorry I'm not near Irvine otherwise I could steer you to two outdoor ranges that offer junior instruction.

On the NRA basic courses, don't let the brief descriptions on the site deter you. When I signed up for a Women on Target class (shotgun), I asked the instructor if she minded that our sons attended with us. She thought it was great having moms learn alongside their kids. I think each instructor varies, but asking wouldn't hurt, right?

On pistol, I reactivated my instructor's certificate for that very reason of being available to teach kids and women who didn't know who to turn to.

Best of luck to you -- and have fun!

[greasemonkey]

The Appleseed programs are a great way for kids to start out, foundational rifle marksmanship and safety instruction. Free for kids, women & active duty military...fee for an adult male is $70. It's typically an all day Saturday and partial Sunday event and well worth the time.

Appleseed thread by Calguns user Leonidas, he's one of the Appleseed instructors/event organizers, he'll be best to connect you with an event near you. They've got a great program.

What is an Appleseed?

Appleseed is a program that instructs Americans on the traditional rifle marksmanship skills that have been passed down from generation to generation, along with reconnecting today's Americans with the people and events of the Founding era. Participants are taught fundamental rifle marksmanship skills that are required to allow a Rifleman to be accurate out to 500 yards, with iron sights, standard rifle and surplus ammo. This is the traditional 'Rifleman's Quarter mile', which is an uniquely American Rifleman skill, that has been part of this nation from the very first days.

Most of the instruction at an Appleseed is conducted at 25 meters, at reduced size targets to simulate 100 to 500 yards. This well proven technique allows us to concentrate on the shooter's mechanics and less time walking a range. At those locations that allow for actual distance shooting, participants are often able to see first hand that the skills that they learn at 25 meters directly apply to actual distances out to 500 yards. These foundational skills are not being passed on to future generations, and so Appleseeds are great for new or experienced shooters alike.

What kind of rifle do I need? What kind of sights are allowed?

Appleseed is content-free, so in regards to sights: you can use any. Rifles? Well, you can use any safe firearm which can be accurately shot from the shoulder, from a .22 to a .32 (8mm). We're semi-auto and bolt-gun friendly. The important thing is that it works, so before you come to a shoot make sure you clean it, break it in (if need be), and lube it properly in preparation for the day. Due to the high cost of ammo, we reccommend using a .22 for the training on Saturday and if the range you are shooting at has a long distance range, then bring your center fire rifle for that on Sunday.

What caliber is best?Did you say "basic" class?

Some may say "basic" but a better term might be foundational. The skills taught at Appleseed are Traditional American Rifleman skills that have been unique throughout the history of this country. The American Rifleman is capable of shooting a 20" target out to 500 yards, or a milk jug at 250 yards, using a standard, rack grade rifle, surplus ammo, iron sights, from field positions; this is what your forefathers were capable of. These skills transfer to any kind of shooting and while they should be considered "basic" to most Americans, they are more often seen as "advanced" by today's shooters....This is what Appleseed is trying to change.

[Trojans]

My son to the NRA basic rifle class at Oaktree gun club in santa Clarita. It was two hours of class time and two hours of range time. Great class.

[Corbin Dallas]

I was out to dinner with some of my girlfriends family last night. She has a couple young cousins (8-11yrs old) that are getting interested in guns. They have never shot anything before but I go shooting with their dad sometimes and the boys are always big time jealous; you know how boys are.

They see daddy going to the range, guns on TV and shoot-em-up video games and they are excited about guns. Their dad has always kept the guns away from them but they are the age where they are getting curious. But for the same reasons, it worries me that they have no real-life experience with firearms safety.


Firearms safety has been hammered into my head from such a young age from when I used to shoot back in the Boyscouts that is is second nature for me now.

I would love to take them shooting someday but I think it would be better if we started with a safety course first. I tried the NRA site but didn't really find much. Does anybody have any recommendations on firearms safety training near Irvine that is oriented towards young first timers?

You need to take the boys to see TJ at Allsafe Defense in Orange, CA.

TJ offers FREE classes for youngsters such as yours who will be instructed by people like myself who are going through the NRA instructor courses.


Contact TJ @ (714)744-4485 or you can email him directly - TJ_Johnston@allsafedefense.com

I can assure you when it comes to instruction and mentoring, TJ is second to none and your boys will learn and have fun at the same time.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I too heard that "Appleseed" is a good program. However, for me, I just took my daughter and son out at very young ages. I started them both when they were about 6. I would help them hold up a .22 and let them pull the tigger on paper or just out in the dirt.

Now my daughter is 12 and for her birthday I bought her her very own Glock 19 9mm, complete with 10 spare magazines, Kydex holster, gun cleaning kit ear and eye pro.

I take her out shooting about once per month. It starts with the basics. I have her practice her stance and dry firing with an empty gun and snap caps (to protect the firing pin/striker). Then it's range time and I stand directly behind her.

For my 8 year old son, I have to stand behind him with a Ruger .22 semi auto. I load up 3 rounds or so and have him fire slowly with me helping him from behind.

I continue this type of repetition with both of my kids and I have seen dramatic improvement with them both. BUT!!!!!,,,, I can't let my guard down! I am ever vigilant and drill into them the importance of safety.

Worked for me and my sister when our dad taught us, now I'm passing down the tradition.

[SDI]

You need to take the boys to see TJ at Allsafe Defense in Orange, CA.

TJ offers FREE classes for youngsters such as yours who will be instructed by people like myself who are going through the NRA instructor courses.


Contact TJ @ (714)744-4485 or you can email him directly - TJ_Johnston@allsafedefense.com

I can assure you when it comes to instruction and mentoring, TJ is second to none and your boys will learn and have fun at the same time.

I also highly recommend TJ.

[cmichini]

You can start with a friendly 'introduction' session with them at home, too.

With no ammo in the room, you can have a couple of different guns present.

Start with the safety talk and hammer home the primary rules.
Explain how firearms work, the different types of actions for pistols, rifles and shotguns, differences between rimfire centerfire, sight picture/alignment and various other introductory 'background' info, including dangers and how to mitigate the inherent risk of handling firearms.

This intro, accompanied with some hands-on fondling and physical, first hand demonstration of the safety rules in action will start to instill the appropriate level of care and respect required to safely handle firearms. It will also cure some of the 'curiosity' factor and better prepare them for their formal training with a certified instructor. Additionally, they will have some firsthand experience handling firearms and provide confidence to allow them to focus more on the core of their formal training, since the WOW factor of handling a real gun should have subsided.

Good luck and thanks for bringing new, responsible shooters to the sport.

Cheers