Kids and Guns

I was five when my Dad taught me to shoot a .22. My sister was about the same age. I didn't shoot a shotgun until I was around 12 because the kickback was too intense. I am glad I knew how to properly handle, store and shoot guns, even though it's not a huge part of my life now.

My dad taught me to handle a gun when I was a little girl.
I don't remember how old I was prob 7 or 8. I think 5 is a little young but I DO believe that teaching gun safety that early is great.
I don't really see what the big deal is. He prob wasn't strong enough to handle it by himself anyway. I remember it being very heavy and I had a hard time keeping it steady at 7 or 8. So at 5 he prob had help from his dad.

My boys fired their first guns, with help, at 3. This year we let them start to shoot the .22 on their own, they are 5 and 6. Gun safety is a must of course, but for our lifestyle, so is knowing how to shoot and being a decent shot, since we hike in areas we share with bear, moose, and wolves. Just yesterday we had a small pack of wolves following not more than 30 ft behind us while on a hike.

Ours were 12-14.

Why does the Mother think she has more of a right to make parenting decisions than the Father? That's the real question.

I don't have a son that shoots, but I shot my first gun when I was 10 I think. You don't say how old the son was, but I have a feeling that he is within his rights. This sounds more like a parental decision that they should have decided on together, but I"m not sure that there is much she can do about it now, other than make sure he gets some gun safety classes.

As kids, my brother and I were both shooting by age 5. My brother shot his first deer at age 5. My daughter received a bb gun for her 5th birthday from my brother, and I'm sure my son will get his own then too. As long as children are taught the appropriate way to handle guns then there shouldn't be any issue. I'm sure, but your brief description, that the dad just didn't set him loose with a gun. I'm not a fan of guns and we don't have any in our house, but I have no problem with my children learning to correct way to use O. and all the safety measures that goes with it.

We have all manners of shotguns and 22's and 30/30's for hunting. My husband is a big hunter. My oldest at 11 is - and has been for several years - hunting. My youngest will start going this year (he's in kindergarten). But for my youngest this year and the oldest at kindergarten they only shot BB guns. My oldest just go to start shooting a rifle about 2 years ago. The BB guns were treated just like a regular gun as far as safety and handling goes. I think 5 is the right age to start learning and with a BB gun. But I do think 5 is too young for a 22. And all this needs to be (as with my kids) with adult supervision RIGHT THERE.

I am very pro-gun (under the right circumstances and safety precautions etc). My father was ex-military and ex-police officer, and he let us kids target shoot starting about 6 years old. Of course, he was from the generation that didn't make kids wear seat belts or wear bike helmets. I think 6 is way too young, but I imagine when my daughter is around 8 or 9 we will introduce target shooting to her, depending on her maturity level. She is only 2 now, so its hard to say. I guess it depends on the maturity of the child, and as long as they are being VERY WELL supervised I would say 8 or 9.

My daughters first shot about age 4. Its teaching them what the guns are capable of and responsibility on handling guns. My 6 year old has her own BB gun. They both have their hunting license and have taken their hunter education course.

I was probably 7 or 8 years old when my dad first taught me to shoot a BB gun at a paper plate. Almost 5 yrs sounds young. Out of respect for the mother, the father should have talked to her before-hand. Even though they are not together as a couple anymore, they should come to some agreements about their son. Poor boy will grow up very confused if he has to learn a set of "okay rules" for mom's house and "okay rules" for dad's house.

**My son will probably be about the same age when he first shoots a gun, but it all will depend on our son's demeanor and attitude and how well he follows rules regarding the gun. So to say that 5 is too young --- well it may just depend on THAT child. I know some 10 yr olds that aren't old enough to be trusted to hold a gun. But like 8Kids said - with someone right there to teach you and hold you while you do it, then there really is no right age.

Not only males shoot guns...lol. I don't have sons, but my brothers and I started shooting when we were 5 or 6...as soon as we were able to hold the .22 in a safe manner and could wear appropriate safety equipment. If I lived closer to my family, my daughter would be shooting young as well.

Unless he was discharging the weapon in an unlawful location or it is otherwise spelled out in the custody and visitation order...he IS well within his rights to parent as he sees fit when the child is in his possession. The same right is afforded to your niece.

My son is still too little, but I think I shot my first gun with my dad and grandfather somewhere between 8 and 10. As long as her son isn't a baby, and dad knows what he is doing (and is licensed), then I don't think I would have a problem with it.

P.S. Read the age...still a little young in my opinion, but if dad is knowledgeable, then he probably was fine.

Wow, 5 does seem young to me. I grew up in an area where hunting was very popular and I remember target practice under strict supervision at about 8(?). We shot at tin cans. 5 just seems so young and maybe that would keep him safe in that he probably couldn't even hold a gun by himself so it seems he'd have more hands on supervision. It seems from your post that is what the concern is (safety), but could it be that she's more offended by the fact that it's a gun and not safety?

I'm not sure I would ever allow my kids to shoot a gun, however my husband learned to shoot a bow & arrow at a young age (I don't remember how old). But the kid would need to be old enough to understand rules & to never point the gun (or arrow) at anything or anyone but the target.
I too would be really freaked out.
Sorry I don't have any real helpful answers.

YIKES! I just saw the kids age! My youngest will be 5 in Dec. & I wouldn't even let my 9 y/o shoot a gun. The father is crazy & someone, the kid or himself is going to get shot! At that age kids don't realized real & fake on tv & might think it wouldn't hurt to shoot someone/something other than the target!!!!
If he were my child's father I'd be calling an atterny! Maybe I'm just over protective.

God bless!

I could see teaching an older child, like 9 or 10, who is old enough to follow the safety rules. I child under about 7 or 8 can't understand the real consequences of his actions. A five year old, no way. I have a 4.5 year old and I wouldn't trust him with a water pistol. Also, I 'd be pretty angry if anyone taught my child something dangerous without asking me first.

My fiance is a hunter and all of my relatives. So I have been around A LOT of guns. On O. hand it's a good thing to teach children at a young age about proper gun safety and the dangers in it. To teach a 5 yr old how to shoot is a little different. I think that's a little too young. Our family doesn't start until at least 7-8. A BB gun would be a little better to start off with.

Unless there is a legal age that you have to be to shoot a gun he was probably within his rights legally. Doesn't make it right though. I would be SO mad if I were her. A sweet and innocent 5 year old holding a deadly weapon and shooting it no less. horrible.

I wonder though in terms of custody if this would be proof or recklessness or endangerment on the father's part.

My son first shot a gun when he was probably your son's age. It's been awesome male bonding time for him with his dad and his grandfather. Proper training is the key. My son is now 14...just bought his own rifle...but still doesn't have the combination to the gun safe where it is kept. As long as the adults are present and responsible, and there is proper training and supervision, he'll be fine.

You didn't say how old he is. Oh, okay, just read that he's 5. I don't know,. 5 seems a little young, I could see 7 or 8 maybe, depending on the kind of gun, I guess. She needs to come to an agreement with him.

I'm not a gun fan at all, but I don't think it's harmful if it's done in the proper situation (shooting range) and coached by someone knowledgeable.

Boys generally like to shoot things.

Boy have I done a 180 degree flip on my stance on that issue since I first had kids.

Yikes! I can't imagine letting my son shoot a real gun! I swore off guns even for play - which his dad was in agreement with - but SOMEHOW they still made their way into my house. Ugh... Great Grandmothers... how do you tell them what to do? They do whatever the hell they want!!! LOL

Anyhow, I don't have any experience with this, except to say that I'd have a darned hard time with my almost 5 year old son shooting a gun, even with his military father.