[Seahawk]

There is a lot to unpack in your OP, well written, since a lot of ground was covered.

We have taught, and teach, a lot of 10 to 30 year-olds how to shoot here on the farm. We have a bunch more coming for our Friday After Thanksgiving shoot here. Both my kids shot a the 7/8 range.

I'll probably get blasted as well by the gun gurus here, but teaching a child about guns is not a one day, load and shoot exercise.

See if they like it. Take them to an abbreviated range day with all the right gear and see if they even enjoy the experience. Some don't and that is 100% ok. They don't get to shoot, only watch. I have also taken a lot of folks on their first helo ride and never, ever made them feel uncomfortable. That is key. Make them feel safe and relaxed. Holster the testosterone.

Small caliber guns to start. I like .22 revolvers. After their first range day (again, they don't shoot) we do a table top on how to load and unload the revolver, always emphasizing safety and how to be safe - those are two different things.

We do it with spent shells and just walk through the gun, grip to tip as they say....demystify the weapon, let them hold it and practice safety. Guns are objects, explain in simple terms how a gun works.

Videos are great as well.

Only then do we let them plink, with a very experienced wing man at their side the entire time.

The rest is as hard but easier in a weird way...kids call us all the time to come back and shoot.