Family day at the range

[Charles L. Cotton]

I was at PSC this past Sunday afternoon and had a good time shooting with ElGato. The best part of the afternoon was watching a friend working with his young son and daughter. He had started both of them on Airsoft pistols teaching them gun safety, proper grip, sight alignment/sight picture, trigger discipline, etc.

Well, this was their day to move up to a Walther P22. The little girl shot first and it was amazing to watch this young girl handle a pistol that would be small for any of us, but that was a double handful for her. Her grip was perfect. Every time the sights were on target, her figure went to the trigger. When the front sight came off the target, her trigger finger was indexed on the frame.

She also shot very well, including several bullseyes! It was wonderful to hear her squeal with excitement when she hit the bullseye. She had a little trouble pushing the mag. release and Dad had to help her, but she seated the fresh mag and racked the slide with authority. Her brother also shot very well, both with the P22 and with Dad's Kimber .45 ACP. He too had cut his teeth on an Airsoft, learning the basics. These two kids shot better than many of the new adult shooters I teach in the more basic classes.

These two kids are a testament to what a loving father can do to teach his kids the safe and fun way to use firearms. Both ElGato and I agree that watching them and Dad enjoying the day was much more fun than our time on the firing line. I hope one or both of our sons decide to give Martha and I some grandchildren so I can have such a day at the range, before I’m too old to hold a gun!

Who were these folks? Well, I'll leave it to my friend to decide if he wants this information public.

Chas.

[AggieMM]

Quick question, how old were the kids? I have young ones and don't know when to get them started. We currently talk about gun safety, but no range time. I really like the airsoft idea, I hadn't thought about that.

Ryan

[MTICop]

That was a great story. It is always great to hear of a family going out to shoot together and the adult being responsible enough to teach the basics correctly and thoroughly. I have kids and they can't wait to go shooting, especially with their grandparents.

[Skipper5]

That Was a great story Chas! Takes me back to my Dad spending time with me at NRA Basic Rifle Classes...up to range time with his WWII 45 1911. I cherished those times with my Dad and brothers out in Arizona.
I'm glad I worked with my kids some when they were young...and now my wife of 30 yrs has taken it up as well....

...er did I mention that my wife has a tendancy to outshoot me....er , uh...did I really say that???

ugh

//john

[Roger Howard]

Quick question, how old were the kids? I have young ones and don't know when to get them started. We currently talk about gun safety, but no range time. I really like the airsoft idea, I hadn't thought about that.

Ryan

My daughter is 10. I have a little .25 that she is becoming quite proficient with. My full size 9mm is just too big a grip for her. She loves to shoot and asks me to take her to the range on a regular basis. Before our first trip to the range we had school at home. I taught her safe firearm handling, grip sighting etc.. The great thing was my wife joined in to learn with her.

I think the air soft idea is great. I think I'll get her one for christmas.

[stevie_d_64]

I have a niece and nephew who are 9 and 6 respectively...

Although I know their maturity level demands an extremely high degree of supervision and observance to safety, I would love to have them both learn something a bit different and in addition to their participation in youth rodeos...

I know firearms would be a nice bookend at this time to their parents desires to keep thiem hemmed up in this activity...It would be kinda neat for their crazy, yet most favorite Aunt and Uncle to be able to give them something new to enjoy from time to time...

Just trying to figure out a way to broach the subject...

This last Thanksgiving would have been kinda nice to do something out on our property, but alas, Uncle Steve was praying alot to the porceline goddess this last week...

I think both could have handled shooting the Ruger 10/22 I've had since the beginning of dirt...

Now it may get harder to do...Until another holiday brings us all together in the most optimal conditions...

[Jacob Staff]

Teaching people to shoot is just as much fun as shooting

This was the 2nd Thanksgiving in a row that we set up a shooting range after lunch. BB guns and Dr. Pepper cans.

This year I had a 12 year old boy and 3 younger girls (7-10). I grabbed a copy of Field and Stream the night before and went over the parts of a rifle and the 4 rules of gun handling.

The next day, before they could tough the rifle, they had to quote the 4 rules.

3 shots each and if you hit a can you get an extra shot. Great fun for a couple of hours.

My father-in-law had his Gamo out and was having trouble hitting anything. My wife asked if she could shoot and hit a can with the first shot. Handed it back to him and said "Shoots fine for me" and didn't want to shoot anymore.

Last year we had a few older kids that kept me busy loading. One 15 year old girl had never touched a gun before and a was outshooting the boys. My aunt gave me a 500 pack of BB's for Christmas

All the adults thanked me for being safe and spending time with the kids. I had just as much fun as they did.

Glen

[dws1117]

Quick question, how old were the kids? I have young ones and don't know when to get them started. We currently talk about gun safety, but no range time. I really like the airsoft idea, I hadn't thought about that.

Ryan

As a Dad to two young ones (5 and 8mo.) this topic is one I regularly think about. I've come to the conclusion that you have to take each kid individually. Some kids will be ready sooner than others. My 5 year old boy isn't even close. He has a terrific memory. He can quote Eddie the Eagle any time I ask. His attention span can only be compared to a spaced out gnat and he has a little issue with listening that needs to be resolved. I don't hide my guns from him. (yes I do lock them up) He can see them with supervision anytime he wishes. All I can do is keep working with him. He'll be ready when he's ready.

Charles,

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. Hopefully the proud father will stand up and be recognized so that he may get the kudos that he deserves.

[TxFire]

Can't wait till my currently 2 1/2 year old son is ready. I look forward to some quality range time together. Kudos to the un-named Dad.

[Venus Pax]

I'm glad to hear about a dad teaching his children gun safety and spending quality time with them. They'll always remember it.

[longtooth]

That was a great story. It is always great to hear of a family going out to shoot together and the adult being responsible enough to teach the basics correctly and thoroughly. I have kids and they can't wait to go shooting, especially with their grandparents.

Welcome aboard MTICop. Glad to have you. Consider letting you next post be in the General Gun Section under "Introduce Yourself." We will get acquainted faster & you will get a lot of welcomes.

[Tote 9]

Good story Charles. After hearing how well they shot, it makes me feel
bad. It reminded of the first time I shot a pistol. I was going fishing at
the lake at my house, had my son's 22 pistol. sure enough a snake was under my boat when I turned it over. Shot 6 times at the snake at 8 ft.
Missed 6 times , ended up going to the house for a hoe. Dead snake with
hoe at 5 ft. Moral-- some things you can't learn too soon.

[GlockenHammer]

Who were these folks? Well, I'll leave it to my friend to decide if he wants this information public.

Chas.

Charles, thank you for such a nice write-up. Yes, that was me with Mrs. GlockenHammer, my daughter (almost 8) and son (10).

I didn't have a father to introduce me to guns when I grew up. I stumbled upon them at the ripe old age of 37. I was most fortunate to find the next best thing--Charles Cotton. I ran into Charles at PSC one year as he was busy building props for the 2003 TX State IDPA Championship. I pitched in to help and developed a relationship more valuable than I can put into words. Charles has done a lot to help me enjoy shooting. I enjoy passing it on to my family and others.

I bought my first gun in 2003. In a few short years, I have developed a genuine, deep enjoyment of guns and of shooting.
Sharing that joy with the ones I love is rewarding in its own right. Spending an afternoon at the range with my family and/or close friends are times I cherish.

Charles, thanks again for such a positive write-up. When I get some time, I'll start a thread about how I went from a non-gun-owner to the father of a 7 year old girl that keeps her finger off of the trigger until she's ready to shoot. And when she does, it's right on target!

GH

P.S. One of the keys to getting my wife to start shooting was assuring her that I would always clean her gun. Thank goodness she has a Glock! I clean it once a year whether it needs it or not!

[Chopped Liver]

After reading the post about our family day at the range, I noticed something (or someone) fairly significant was left out. Thus, I have decided to create my own screen name -- Chopped Liver. I always ask my kids, "What am I, Chopped Liver?" when they forget about me.

The Sunday shooting day was great fun. I enjoyed practicing after not having been to the range for a while(I think the last time was for the TX CHL Forum Day at PSC). However, what I enjoyed the most was my daughter's sense of excitement and pride when she shot so well. She managed to do as well, if not better, than her older brother--as a younger sister myself, I know how rewarding that is. Furthermore, it was a joy to watch her shoot while practicing the safety measures that my husband had taught her.

Any of you that have read my replies to other threads on Glockenhammer's posts (Mrs. Glockenhammer)know that I was far from excited about having guns in the house. I was even less thrilled about having my 5 and 7 year old shooting a .22 LR. However, realizing that guns WOULD be in my house, I knew the best way to keep my kids safe was to educate them-- that's a teacher for you. It has been almost 3 years since they started shooting, but we still preach safety-- even when playing video games:)

I am slowly but surely becoming a gun enthusiast myself. While I will probably never be as "into" them as my husband (that would be nearly impossible), I have become a CHL holder and practice fairly regulary in order to feel more confident should I ever need to use my weapon for protection. Of course, since I work in a school, protecting myself will not be allowed until a "Columbine" actually happens in TX. But, alas, that is another topic althogther.

By the way, my daughter and I can surely beat the boys in our house at left-handed shooting!

[carlson1]

After reading the post about our family day at the range, I noticed something (or someone) fairly significant was left out. Thus, I have decided to create my own screen name -- Chopped Liver. I always ask my kids, "What am I, Chopped Liver?" when they forget about me.

The Sunday shooting day was great fun. I enjoyed practicing after not having been to the range for a while(I think the last time was for the TX CHL Forum Day at PSC). However, what I enjoyed the most was my daughter's sense of excitement and pride when she shot so well. She managed to do as well, if not better, than her older brother--as a younger sister myself, I know how rewarding that is. Furthermore, it was a joy to watch her shoot while practicing the safety measures that my husband had taught her.

Any of you that have read my replies to other threads on Glockenhammer's posts (Mrs. Glockenhammer)know that I was far from excited about having guns in the house. I was even less thrilled about having my 5 and 7 year old shooting a .22 LR. However, realizing that guns WOULD be in my house, I knew the best way to keep my kids safe was to educate them-- that's a teacher for you. It has been almost 3 years since they started shooting, but we still preach safety-- even when playing video games:)

I am slowly but surely becoming a gun enthusiast myself. While I will probably never be as "into" them as my husband (that would be nearly impossible), I have become a CHL holder and practice fairly regulary in order to feel more confident should I ever need to use my weapon for protection. Of course, since I work in a school, protecting myself will not be allowed until a "Columbine" actually happens in TX. But, alas, that is another topic althogther.

By the way, my daughter and I can surely beat the boys in our house at left-handed shooting!

You mom's are always the unsung hero. Thank you for being a great mom and wife. We do not say that enough. You are sure not Chopped Liver you are a HERO! I have enjoyed reading this whole post.