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My 10-year-old grandson is going to be visiting us in Houston during spring break. I'd like to take him to the range to shoot (.22 rifle) but I CANNOT for the life of me find out if there is any age restriction or training requirement in Texas. I grew up in Minnesota and I had to take a training course (which I thought was an excellent idea) but I can't find any info on whether or not training is required in Texas before a minor can shoot a gun. (OK - please don't get into a discussion about Minnesota; I know that they are an ultra-liberal whack-o state which is why I LEFT and moved to TEXAS.). My grandson's dad and mom are ok with me taking him shooting by the way, so that isn't an issue.

There is no requirement. He can take the hunter education course, and it does provide some firearms training. In that class, however, there is no hands on training.

AndyC wrote:

Grillmark55 wrote:...but I CANNOT for the life of me find out if there is any age restriction or training requirement in Texas.

There isn't any training requirement; as for age-restriction, he has to use it under the supervision of someone 18 or older.

http://www.texasgunlaws.org/chap46.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - look for Sec. 46.13. MAKING A FIREARM ACCESSIBLE TO A CHILD

Thank you for the link. I should know to look there - I've got a CHL and have a copy of the Texas concealed handgun laws. I'll know to look there first next time!

kudos to OP for teaching your grandson how to shoot

My youngest started shooting at ranges here in TX when he was 6-7.
Never had even a crosswise look from anyone. Always welcomed warmly.
A well-mannered child being taught the basics correctly in the next lane is far less worry than many of the unsupervised adults I've seen.

I love seeing young children being taught proper shooting at the range. It causes me to start remembering when mine were just kiddo's. I have observed two different situations. The first and most typical is a youndster having fun and recieving encouragement, praise and gentle teaching. That was great!!! The other was a dad who almost had his son crying, because the dad was being very hard on the kid. That was not fun to watch at all and I would be amazed if that kid ever wanted to go shooting again.

I hate that it is so hard for many of us to find places to shoot where we can have cans and water jugs as targets. Some of my fondest memories are of shooting random objects with my dad while out in the woods or down at the creek. Paper targets just don't measure up!

KUDOS to you for wanting to take your grandson shooting.

That is pretty slick Andy. It adds the additional satisfaction from rolling her own. I like it!!!

AndyC wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:I have observed two different situations. The first and most typical is a youndster having fun and recieving encouragement, praise and gentle teaching. That was great!!! The other was a dad who almost had his son crying, because the dad was being very hard on the kid. That was not fun to watch at all and I would be amazed if that kid ever wanted to go shooting again.

My grandaughter is coming over tonight and I'm hoping she'll want to go to the range with me tomorrow; if she does, I'm going to station her in front of the reloading-press this evening and let her crank out her own ammo so she can shoot her own handloads

After that... perhaps a gentle round of clay-pigeon with a 20-ga...

Now THAT sounds like fun; let her shoot what she loads! I've got a feeling that would come in handy when she starts to date ("Want to come over and load some ammo with me?" THAT will make 'em think twice! )

Kudos to the OP. My oldest son is 5 and look forward to taking him to the range. I know that my dad will tag along which should make it even more fun.

Quality type air rifles like a Beeman R7 for example, are a great tool for teaching safety and developing good shooting techniques. You can shoot in your back yard or garage. I made targets which catch the lead with no ricochets or sound. Cheap ammo for todays environment... When you get to range day they know what's going on.