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Kids and Guns

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ILoveCats:
I like what someone else said here that the younger sibling was at the same level of maturity as the older sibling.  :D  That's our situation too.  Little brother just seems to pick up things at the same time as older brother.

Our kids started with BB guns as Tiger Cubs in scouts, so around six years old.  Then .22 single-shot rifles followed just a year or two after that, but only in a controlled, "range" environment at first, plinking at cans and targets.

Two recommendations I'll make are:

- You can't go wrong picking up a copy of Massad Ayoob's pamphlet "gun proof your children".  It's an oldie but a goodie.  http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Proof-Children-Massad-Ayoobs-Handgun/dp/0936279052  A pdf version may be floating around online.  A lot of it is common sense but it's really worth reading.  I like his perspective that you don't simply "gun-proof" your home or firearm collection through safes and locks.  Rather you gun-proof your kids both by exposure to safety rules and also exposure to shooting.  The goal is for guns to become just a normal part of life which -- like kitchen cutlery or household chemicals -- can be useful when used by the right person at the right time, and dangerous when misused.  The goal is to have guns NOT become some mysterious, forbidden fruit that they're tempted to play with when nobody's looking. 

- I simply can't say enough good things about Savage's "Rascal" .22 single-shot.  This "Gunblast" review is right on the mark:  http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-Rascal.htm   You can pick these up with a plastic stock for around $150, which is nothing compared to the cost of the .22 ammo you're going to burn through with it.   ;D

David Hineline:
Same age you teach the child not to touch the stove or put forks in electrical outlets would be a good age to start teaching safety.  My daughter got her first gun at 3. Must supervise, but do not pound it into them, let them shoot a bit and develop other interests.

Kodiak:
I know 88tac has a kids course.  Planning to put my girlfriends 10 year old son through it.  Unfortunately, her 13 years old daughter is too old for that one.  Now I would prefer doing it at a younger age, but you work with what you got.

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