How old is old enough to shoot?

[Daltex1]

Hi everyone, I was thinking about taking my nephew to the range to learn how to shoot, He is only 12 years old, so heres the ? how old is old enough to shoot? I learned when I was about 7 or 8 years old, but those were diffrent times then. He seems pretty responsible for his age as far as 12 year olds go. ALL input would be appreciated.

[seamusTX]

As a general rule, 12 is plenty old enough. What I would do is check him out on a BB rifle until he demonstrates complete understanding of the 4 rules and ability to follow range commands. Then start him out on a bolt- or lever-action .22 rifle.

Rifles present less potential for unsafe handling. With handguns, it's too easy to swing the muzzle in an unsafe direction.

- Jim

[tboesche]

I started when I was 5 with a .22. I agree that the times are different 42 years later, but, responsibility is responsibility. If the boy is mature enough to understand the rules and foloow them, then it is time to start teaching. I agree with Seamus though, start him out on a BB gun and work up to a .22 when you are confidant of his handling or a weapon

[Greybeard]

Depends on the kid - and the overall family environment. Lots of us started much younger, but 12 is the minimum age that Texas Parks and Wildlife currently allows for the "once in a lifetime" certification in hunter education.

[The Annoyed Man]

I started my son off at about 6-7 years old. He's 18 now, and a superb shot with pistol or rifle. Going to the range is most often a father/son activity for us, and we have a ball together. If your son is 12 years old and reasonably steady natured for his age, he is more than old enough to start going with you.

[aardwolf]

If a child is old enough to show interest, they're old enough to start learning. I agree to start teaching with a 22 rifle.

[srothstein]

I think most of us will support starting to learn to shoot at an early age. I started all of my kids fairly early, and my 8 year old loves to shoot with me. This is a different question from the implied "what is the youngest age to own a firearm". In that case, I go with 10 years old, but recognize that it differs based on the person and family.

And like the others, I started all of my kids on 22 rifles.

[DParker]

In my experience the more critical question is with regard to the resonsibility and intelligence of the parent or whoever else will be instructing the youngster in shooting. Since you care enough to seek feedback on this question I have to assume that you're plenty qualified in those areas, and that at 12 years of age your child is - barring problems like substance abuse and/or mental illness - more than old enough to be introduced to shooting by a thoughtful, responsible adult.

[Skiprr]

I agree with all previous posts: if the individual is mature enough to understand all safety rules and obey them, 12 is certainly not too early. The first gun that was mine-all-mine was a Winchester .243 deer rifle when I was 10.

One thing to add is that you may want to look into an NRA class (or two) for your son. Many instructors will hold basic rifle or basic pistol classes specifically for young shooters. One advantage to this is that it formalizes the training: it isn't coming from dear ol' dad or mom--with whom the kid may feel comfortable joking around--but from an adult instructor, a stranger who says what dad was saying all along (gosh; maybe dad knew what he was taking about!), and it's delivered in a peer-group situation that encourages the kids to really pay attention so they don't look like a dufus to the other kids.

Also, for a great, self-paced challenge you can do side-by-side with your son, look into the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. There are a number of discipline-specific programs, from air rifle to handgun to shotgun, that you can anywhere from a few weeks to a year to complete. The Handgun Qualificatin, for example, has seven stages from Basic Practical through Distinguished Expert (the latter requires witness by an NRA member or NRA instructor to complete, that or scores from formal competition). Each stage is a little harder then the previous, naturally. And for dirt cheap--as in 90 cents to $3.75 depending upon the item--you can order award items signifying acheivement at completion of each level. These are badge-patches, rocker-pathces, and pins, and they good quality; the NRA obviously sells them at cost.



It's a great way for new shooters to have a structured learning program for the basics, and to receive tangible recognition at each step of the way. Plus, turning it into a parent-child thing allows great bonding time at the range. Buy an inexpensive shadow-box type picture frame, and start adding the new awards as the stages are completed.

Complete details at: http://www.nrahq.org/education/training ... /index.asp

[WildBill]

The Winchester/NRA programs with their medals and patches are a great incentive for young shooters. They encourage shooters to improve their marksmanship skills rather than just throwing lead down range.

[KBCraig]

I actually think 12 is too long to wait. Kids who will follow direction at 5-8 are just about perfect for learning the basics. I definitely think all kids should be exposed to positive use of firearms well before they get to shoot their own. My 5 year old son has seen me wearing a pistol for as long as he can remember (I don't conceal around the house), so it's natural to him. He's got his own Crickett rifle and has been shooting for over a year now.

[Jeremae]

Well My 12 year old shoots IDPA with me.....

Started all my kids shooting at about 8....

[Daltex1]

First, I appreciate all the responses. Unfortunately he is my nephew as I am one of the "lucky" ones not able to have kids.(I use lucky in a sarcastic" way) Anyway his father is a exconvict and will never be able to own a firearm(he has since turned his life around...one of the few..) So I figured I would take him to the range this weekend . I bought him a bb gun last year for x-mas and we have shot the bb-guns together and seems to enjoy it and has shown that he knows how to handle the bb gun. I have a little 22 marlin model 60 I figure he would start out on this weekend. Do you think a .223 would be too much for him. I know he is going to WANT to shoot it but I think it may have too much of a kick for him.Thanx again for all that respond.

[Jeremae]

My 11 YO daughter shoots 30/30s and 308s so I would think a 12 yo would have now problem with a 223.

[seamusTX]

I learned to shoot from a neighbor, not a relative. He was a police officer and had been in the Army infantry (during Vietnam). He had a definite course of instruction. We took it one step at a time. We didn't do two things the same day, like shoot a rifle and pistol. That sounds overly strict, but that's the way he did it. It probably helped me, because I have attention deficit disorder out the wazoo.

The point I'm getting to is that getting used to the bang of any rifle takes a little while, and going to a centerfire rifle on day 1 might be too much.

- Jim