Starting them young

[doggoner]

This is my granddaughter shooting HER 32 cal Mongrel made rifle at age six. Dad and Grandpa watch as she bangs away at the bulls eye 25 yards away. I made sure ALL six of my grandkids got a rifle and were taught to shoot them including the cleaning after the shoot. Yes, I made her clean the gun after this shoot. She did a good job with only a bit of kibitzing by Dad and grumpy Grandpa.

doggoner

[bmtshooter]

Great stuff !!  As part of their home schooling program, my son brings his kids up to shoot every other week.  Ages 13 - 6.   They have all been showing noteworthy improvement. 

Never too early to start learning safe operation of a firearm.

[doggoner]

AMEN, bmtshooter, AMEN.

doggoner

[hotfxr]

OK, now I'm jealous. We had our 10 year old granddaughter visiting for a few weeks this summer and I was at least allowed to take her out for a couple of rides on the Harley. However, I am not even allowed to show any firearms to the 7 year old twins who live 6 miles away and had to promise to not mention them when she was visiting. What can I say, my son drives a Prius and my daughter has a Tesla.

[bmtshooter]

Yes, it is frustrating, but all may not be lost.  My sister-in-law made my nephew quit cub scouts because they were teaching gun safety.  Now that my nephew is grown, he is an avid shooter and collector of firearms.  He was merely delayed by his mother.

[Hanshi]

Teaching grandkids, any kids actually, is truly preparing them for the future.  They will know safety and what to do in the presence of firearms. 

I am currently looking for help to get brother hotfxr OUT of that nasty state he's in.  Of course I mean CA.  He needs our prayers.

Sadly, I have no grandkids and considering the age of my son & stepson I've given up hope.

[Red Badger]

Sadly, I have no grandkids and considering the age of my son & stepson I've given up hope.

I'll be your grandson if you leave all you guns and ammo to me...  I'll even travel all over the entire east coast to round it all up for you !   

[hotfxr]

Hey there, The guns go to his younger brother!   

[Hanshi]

I'll think over both your proposals for my stuff, and will give consideration to both of you.....maybe......not.   

[Hanshi]

I'll think over both your proposals for my stuff, and will give consideration to both of you.....maybe......not.   

But all seriousness aside I'll say this:  I read and hear too much about kids finding a gun and shooting themselves.  ALL kids need basic gun training so they know better than to play with them.  And the best way to show them that guns are not toys is to shoot a few targets and let THEM shoot also.  They need to see for themselves how dangerous a gun can become when it's not treated with respect.  Training is needed for parents who are too prone to leave guns loaded and/or unattended around a house full of kids.  Too late for parents unfortunately and that is so sad.  They don't mind training their children about cars and how dangerous they are.  But then they scream about kids learning about guns.  A lot of people don't need or deserve kids.

[doggoner]

I agree that kids need to be trained on gun safety. BUT, more to the point,  trained to keep their mitts off what does not belong to them. Manners are out of fashion these days it seems. Time to bring back the stricter training methods and the major life lessons that have been lost by the wayside what with a trophy for showing up and nothing is the child's fault. This only leads to adults that have never been held accountable for their actions.

doggoner

[Hanshi]

Amen, brother!

[hotfxr]

My father left his service revolver on top of his dresser. Not even once did I or my brothers even think about touching it. Nor did we consider touching any of the long guns in the glass case in the living room.