The Boy turns 8 shortly. I have decided that this is the year that he comes to the range. He's been expressing greater and greater interest in going to the range with daddy, which comes as a natural progression from getting his marksmanship badge in Cub Scouts for BB gun, getting his own Red Ryder, and watching daddy load up gear for a range trip.
We've been through the Four Rules - he knows them better than a good number of adults I know - and he's demonstrating greater and greater maturity in all areas. With proper guidance, I feel that he's ready to shoot his first firearm. We'll start small - I've got a single-shot Ithaca Arms model M-49 that should do the trick just fine. Once he shows me he can be careful and responsible with a single shot - and, most importantly, how he handles the gun after he's shot it - we can investigate other arms like the pump-action Remington 572 or the lever-action Marlin 39A.
Deciding when a child is ready to go shooting can be one of the harder choices to make. There's a lot that goes into the decision - is the child ready? Will they be safe? Can I devote the appropriate amount of attention to this task? Can they handle a firearm? If the answer to any of these questions is anything other than yes, then wait. Wait as long as you have to. There's another aspect, too; one that's an unfortunate by-product of our hoplophobic culture.
Are you prepared to deal with the fallout of people knowing you brought your child shooting?
For me, I'm prepared. I've armed my son with the most important thing of all - knowledge. He's not afraid of guns. They're not a "forbidden fruit", nor something to play with. I am not shy about my hobby and my passion; I don't hide my affiliations; nor will I ask my son to lie about his activities with me at the range. It's legal, it's fun, and as long as he enjoys it I'll be happy to bring him with me.
Besides, once he starts shootin' he can start cleanin'... That'll REALLY take the mystique out of it!
That is all.
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I took mine this past summer and he was six, he's about to turn seven. Grilled him on the four rules, prepared him for what he was going to see and hear, went over a checklist of everything to bring for safety, etc.
I think the main thing was, I went there not expecting to take a single shot on my own. All about him. He really enjoyed the Buckmark, but eventually he just wanted to load the magazines and watch me shoot.
Knowledge is key. When they're young, guns aren't mystical - they haven't yet watched Die Hard or seen any idiot holding it sideways.
And how the heck do you go about the Marksmanship badge for BB gun? From what I understand, my Cub can only do it if it's at a certain location with someone present, or something like that?
Liberty,
I wanted to take him this past summer but his mother put the kibosh on that one... (don't get me started).
For the badge, it has to be on a BSA-approved range with a BSA-trained adult leader supervising. Our Committee Chairman took the course needed to supervise, and the actual shooting occurred at our overnight at a BSA facility (Lonetree Reservation in Kingston, NH).
Good for you JG. My dad started me on a single shot pellet rifle until he was sure I understood the basics. From there a single shot .22 and then graduation to a Winchester 21 DB 20g which he let me shoot trap after the regular shoot was over for the day.
Still some of my best childhood memories.
Wouldn't know what to say to a child in this PC world today about talking about it. Some teacher might call the police if he starts speaking about "guns". Hoplophobes are in high concentration in this state.
Good for you JG. My dad started me on a single shot pellet rifle until he was sure I understood the basics. From there a single shot .22 and then graduation to a Winchester 21 DB 20g which he let me shoot trap after the regular shoot was over for the day.
Still some of my best childhood memories.
Wouldn't know what to say to a child in this PC world today about talking about it. Some teacher might call the police if he starts speaking about "guns". Hoplophobes are in high concentration in this state.
Jay,
I'm sure you'll want to capture this as a Kodak Moment. I'll offer to be the official JayG Takes HonorableSon for First Range Trip photographer.
- Brad
dr mac,
The first and only time I ever went shooting with my dad was when I was 8. It was a .410 shotgun (one I've put up here as a Friday gun pic AAMOF!), and I fired exactly two shots.
The Boy has had a BB gun for a while now, getting his very own Red Ryder last summer after the Scout Family weekend and his first exposure to BB guns. He's been very responsible with it, always remembering his eye protection and being very mindful of both muzzle direction and trigger finger etiquette.
He's ready for the single-shot .22, and I expect he'll move up to a repeater right quick.
I'll bring several .22 rifles and pistols and possibly a centerfire handgun or two, and we'll see how he does. I won't push him into anything he's not ready for, nor will I tolerate any bending of the four rules.
I'll go, as Liberty says, not intending to send a single shot downrange myself (but if it happens, hey, all the better), and with the mindset that the instant it stops being fun for The Boy, we pack up and head home.
I want him to have fun, first and foremost. That's the important thing.
And Brad, you got it. Figure some time in the middle of spring - possible during April vacation when the range will be less crowded. I'll keep you posted.
I've had to work with #2 Son to make sure he follows Rule 5: Don't talk about guns with your friends at school, because this is Massachusetts, and your teachers will suspend you.
They don't like the First Amendment, either. I guess that learning about government oppression up close and personal is part of growing up.
Both our girls started at 8 years old. Cricket got a .22LR/.410 matched barrel set from Rossi for Christmas that year. She loved it. It's quiet and fun. Bugaboo got her's for her 8th birthday. I agree with Liberty, go expecting never to fire a shot yourself and, take fun things to shoot at. Soda cans, spent shotgun shells, water bottles full of colored water are all fun. (Though the shotgun shells are more fun later when they get a tad of experience. They can hit them one after another. I can't.) Cricket now, at 12, shoots IDPA matches with us. She's slow but extremely accurate with a M&P9. She just wishes they were quieter, more like the .22s.
Not only cleaning, but now you've got 2 extra hands to load mags.
My first rifle was an Ithaca M-49 at age 8 also, that was in 1968. I have been an Eagle Scout for 36 1/2 years. So carry on !
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