not all kids are created equal.

i dont think of it as an "age" thing. at eight, i had no business owning any firearm. by 11, i was deep into .22 ownership. i shot a jackrabbit at full run..took me three shots. the third nailed him hard. i still remember the look on my dad's face. he knew he created a monster. my hooligan brother didnt get anything until was later.

Google "Shooting Range near San Diego, CA"

Do ranges have age limits?

Seahawk's story resonates with me. With guns, there is zero tolerance. His response was highly appropriate.

No, I didn't start riding bikes late. I was around guns early. No, I wasn't shooting anything when I was three but I remember dad and grampa coming home with three, count 'em THREE elk lashed across an old Willy's Jeep. I have the picture. Those elk were of course field dressed, but then they were hung in dad's garage and processed there. By the time I was five, no squirrel or bird was safe from my BB gun. I think I got my .22 at around nine. I think I was 14 when I started hunting deer and elk. There are plenty of hunters I will not hunt with. When I hunt, I almost always pick a spot and sit. Partly because it's quieter and game travels faster than I do anyway, and partly because it's easier to get shot when you are walking. I do NOT trust most gun-handlers.

the common progression when I was kid was a Daisey BB gun at maybe 6

after a few years, you'd get a Benjamin pump - pellet gun IF AND ONLY IF you showed enuff maturity with the BB gun

same story, and then the bump to a .22

from there it was smaller shotguns, then larger, and deer rifles (not that those were much use in the swamp)

- still seems like a good sequence to me

I left out the rubber band gun my dad made me...

Wow Paul, that's quite a story, and if it can happen to you (and WE know you), it just serves as a great reminder...thanks for sharing! Supe, I apologize if I came across as questioning you (certainly not my intent), we're on exactly the same page except that I did play with "toy guns" as boys are apt to do. I can "pick up" on irresponsible gun handling immediately...I'm gone. One other thing...alcohol and guns have NEVER crossed paths in my world...now fishin' is another story :)

Oddly enough, I was never allowed to have a BB gun (a "toy" from my parents' perspective), but had my first shotgun at 11.

My daughter started at 5 with the toy gun/game you hook up to the TV to learn about always using the safety and muzzle discipline. When she could recite 4 gun safety rules without hesitation and show proper discipline she got a Red Ryder. The last two years we had a contest to see who could rid the yard of the most ground squirrels (I cheat using a pellet gun but I have old eyes) and she did well enough she got to shoot a single shot .22 at a range. We are thinking of a Ruger 10/22 for Christmas or her 10th birthday in January. She went deer hunting with us the last two ears and was disappointed the mentoring program starts at 10. Not that is mattered because she is not ready for a 30-06 or .270. Maybe a Mini-14 or a nice little Savage in .223. She would have had a 50 yard shot if she were eligible this year. She is still a little squeamish helping field dress a deer though.

Paul,

Very good point of safety!

On our little range only person handling a weapon is the person on the line unless the weapon is visibly cleared (barrel opened, slide locked fully open, cylinder out). Weapons always are to face down range, ALWAYS. Loading of magazines is permitted but away from table holding spoons. Oh, and everyone is behind the live fire line except the ONE person shooting. One at a time ONLY. If someone needs training then a person will stand behind or beside them.

I also like glasses and ear protection on at all times.

Yep, it's never too early to teach gun safety and never can be repeated too often or emphasized too strongly.