how old is old enough to start shooting?

[sprucansailor]

I did not let my 9yo daughter pick up a firearm until she had four basic rules memorized:

1. Finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
2. Do not aim at something unless you intend to shoot it
3. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
4. Know your target and what is behind it.

We have been shooting together for about two months now and have not had any problems. We always clean the rifle when we get home and she is memorizing the different parts. She can do everything but the recoil spring-guide pin-bolt dance. LOL

It is an absolute joy to hang out with her and do this!

[savagefan]

I say 6 is still a little young for a 10/22
I would say around 10-11 or so and also see how mature and responsible he is to make sure he doesn't point it at anyone or thing or look down the barrel
"no way kid, you'll shoot you're eye out" lol

[Milsurps]

NRA recommends 8 yrs old. The Nervous system has matured enough where the exposure to lead is not a threat.

BB gun? Go for it!

Bless You for stepping up. Sorry for your loss.

^^^ This. Of course depending on the child's maturity level.
YMMV

[yuccales]

I did not let my 9yo daughter pick up a firearm until she had four basic rules memorized:

1. Finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
2. Do not aim at something unless you intend to shoot it
3. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
4. Know your target and what is behind it.

We have been shooting together for about two months now and have not had any problems. We always clean the rifle when we get home and she is memorizing the different parts. She can do everything but the recoil spring-guide pin-bolt dance. LOL

It is an absolute joy to hang out with her and do this!

Sounds like you are very proud of your daughter! Keep up the good work.

[BayouBullets]

Depends on the child. I was 3 when my dad decided I understood the safety rules and let me use a BB gun to demonstrate that knowledge. I was 5 when he started letting me shoot single-shot .22, but that was because I had been consistent with the safety rules for almost 2 years with the BB's and could finally reach the trigger on his .22 he'd had as a boy. I was 6 when he bought me my first .410. 7 was my first 20 ga. semi-auto. At 9 replaced the single shot with a model 60 Marlin.
--One of my daughters was barely 4 when she could follow the rules and started with the BB's. Another was almost 6. Another is still a bit untrustworthy on safety at age 11, but we're working on it (very carefully). I now have two daughters who are too small to reach the trigger on almost any youth model bigger than a crickett, but both are competent shooters. I mounted a 10/22 into an axiom adjustable stock (9 1/2" - 13 1/2" LOP) and put a Harris bipod on the front to help them deal with the weight. The smallest one likes to shoot 1" diameter swinging plates until she obliterates the stickers. Then it's "time to get more stickers!" One note on very young shooters. Daddy handles all ammo, loading, reloading etc. to cut down on lead exposure. I have outdoor ranges. So, leap vapor isn't as much of a concern.

[Coyotegunner]

Like BayouB,I started young.Both of my daughters,I started at 8.One of them is a 29 year old school teacher now and has always been responsible and good with a gun(any gun).Her sister is a 28 year old RN that I do not trust to this day turning my back on with a loaded gun.My grandson is turning 4 in 2 weeks and is going to get a BB gun to shoot with grandpa.He is crazy about plastic guns and bows now.Depending on what I see,it will be a couple years until he gets to shoot a 22.I like the control of a single shot,lever or a bolt action though,for teaching.Adults as well need to start with something that has to be worked between shots.Again like Bayou,figure out reactive targets for keeping the kids interest.I used balloons.My one daughter,wife and I all like popping them at 200 yds with a 22,204,223,22-250,308 etc etc

[Syst3m Ov3rrid3]

Although I cannot comment on what age is good to start someone young on shooting, I can comment on just introducing him to one of your handguns (Unloaded - of course) and show him that they aren't toys and just show him the in and outs of properly handling a gun. From all the stuff I've seen on the news, it seems curiosity is what gets the best of these kids that shoot themselves. Most haven't properly taught these kids how to handle a weapon and how serious they are if misused.

As it seems with most parents that tell their kids NOT to do it, the kids rebel and do it anyway. So if you advise him about guns and properly show him everything you can later gauge when he is ready to go shooting with you. Just a thought. Sorry for your loss of your friend, good luck on your new role as "Dad". I'm sure you'll do fine.

[BunnySlayer]

As others here have already stated, it depends on the kids level of maturity and his attention span. I've seen 10yr olds I would trust implicitly with any firearm I own and 40 yr olds I wold give a water pistol to without adult supervision.

[Joewy]

My daughter started shooting at 3.
When they are young they follow directions well and learned lessons are learned.
But single shot only. Who wants to get shot in the butt by their kid.

[Biigg50]

My oldest son started shooting my 10/22 at 4 yrs old. I put a bipod on it and he would sit on the ground with the stock under his arm and I would lay on the ground behind him and help support the stock as well as make sure the gun pointed were it should. Now he is 14 and can out shoot me with a rifle or hand gun.
Now we are starting his friends shooting, they are all good kids that simply have parents that don't shoot or own any guns. It's All good clean fun.

[TheExpertish]

My 6-year-old is up for it. Again, as many posters have said it varies. Could always start out with a Crosman and then graduate to the good stuff. Sorry for your loss, but you are building in some excellent life long therapy that no shrink could ever prescribe.

[Kelster1574]

so a good friend passed recently and my godson is now my responsibility. i want to get him into shooting but im not sure what age to start him at. he just turned 6. im gonna buy a 10/22 for him to start with but when should i start him shooting?

thank you much.

My boys started a little later (last year), only because we had to convince the misses that they could be taught safely. They are now 10 and 8 and will be getting a .22 (10 year old) and an air rifle (8 year old) for Christmas.

I would also like to commend you for stepping up and being a good Godfather. It is something that you never want to happen but if it does you have to be there. Good Job

[0331Marine]

I got my first gun at 6 it was a single shot .410. I still enjoy shooting that gun. My oldest is 3 now and i'll get him one around 5 or 6.

[Someday]

My 8 year old daughter informed me a couple weeks ago that it was time for her to start shooting. Since I only get her every other week, I asked her again today if she is still interested, she was VERY happy I remembered. I have a Marlin 60 which is a bit big for her, so I am looking around for a Cricket. Does anyone know how much they are going for?

[hayaku]

brand new they are about 100 bucks... i'm looking at getting my kids one too as the other 22 rifles i have are full size and too big for them.