How Young is Old Enough?

[dougiemac]

Been thinking about what comes next after successfully teaching your children about guns, gun safety and handeling guns...self defense training.

At what age should a father consider training his kids how to fight with their pistol, rifle and shotgun?

What about pepper spray?

Any thoughts on age and tools of defense?

 

[Hunter4life]

In for responses on this also

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I don't have any children, but if I did, I suspect I would try to do so as early as possible based upon their abilities and then escalate from there.

I grew up with 4 siblings, well all took to things differently; I would think that the individual training would come about based upon their ability and familiarity with the platform.

 

[Kobayashi]

From the thread title, I thought you were dating again. Glad I was wrong.

 

[EugenFJR]

My father, would send me out w/ a box of .22 LR ammo (50 rounds) and a old German single shot rifle, and I would walk into the woods and shoot targets ( that being whatever I saw fit too shoot.) I was around 10 years old... ( It was the 70's )

That being said...I think around 10-13 is a good age... Its not 1970 & people freak out over nothing...

The main thing is to teach them about a zero. and proper safety... IMHO...

 

[Strider12]

Totally different topic than I expected from the title.

 

[madHatter]

bb guns under direct supervision when they are 8 ... give them the safety lessons over and over i cannot stress safety safety safety... and when they are 11ish .22LR for realz.

 

[Shemp]

I dunno...if this were 1820 they'd be out hunting with a musket at 10.....it just depends on their maturity level and their abilities.

 

[Mac11FA]

The early the training the better! I taught my kids at 2-3 years old to be able to identify a weapon (gun, knife etc.) and to not touch it and immediately notify and adult. I have always taught my children early and often about many things. Too many parents leave the needed life lessons to be taught to their children to TV and internet! Kids know more about phones than anything else by age 3 nowadays!

 

[Kobayashi]

Totally different topic than I expected from the title.

 

[Strider12]

ound:

 

[dougiemac]

In not talking hunting or trusting a young person with a firearm, I'm talkin about attending a fighting pistol or fighting rifle course where they learn how to fight and defend theirselves and others with their firearm.

 

[Gunsite Grad]

In not talking hunting or trusting a young person with a firearm, I'm talkin about attending a fighting pistol or fighting rifle course where they learn how to fight and defend theirselves and others with their firearm.

You can't quantify it by age. It's a maturity issue. I'd do it as soon as they can handle it and as young as the instructor will allow.

 

[Kobayashi]

You can't quantify it by age. It's a maturity issue. I'd do it as soon as they can handle it and as young as the instructor will allow.

Agreed.

I like the idea. Similarly, I have considered putting my kids through one of the 3 day racing courses in preparation for getting a drivers license. In either case, learning to function at the more extreme end of the spectrum can make someone more proficient in common situations.

 

[LXHunter]

Nice title - Drew me right in. lol

 

[Mac11FA]

In not talking hunting or trusting a young person with a firearm, I'm talkin about attending a fighting pistol or fighting rifle course where they learn how to fight and defend theirselves and others with their firearm.

Unfortunately, in today's litigious society, there are age limits for many things. I agree with Gunsite Grad that age has nothing to do with maturity. Violence is learned thru video games at a very early age. The problem is that due to immaturity, kids cannot differentiate between real and fantasy. In real life there are consequences to hurting another or killing that are not the same as a game. If you feel that a child is mature enough, then you can probably find a private instructor to train with. We ask ourselves to be vigilant, why not our children? You cannot always be there to protect them.

 

[Sheps]

^ Video games and violence has been debunked many, many times.

People develop at different speeds. Dougs kids will be ready for training classes before the average Joe's because they'll already know how to safely and proficiently operate the tools. But your first might be ready at 9 and your second at 13. I guess the answer is "Whenever they are ready" and only you/they can know that.

 

[Kobayashi]

One kid who started early

 

[Sheps]

 

[Laufen]

It depends on the kid and if they are interested. My daughter has zero interest, so that kills that.
I started hunting and shooting at about age 5.