I was thinking of buying my son a 22 for his 6th birthday . Just wondering if thats too young. I cant really remember how old I was when I got my first gun but I was pretty young. Is 6 too young?

My grandson and both of my sons were shooting deer by age 6. 5 was probably closer to the truth, so no as long as he's supervised and taught right I'd think 6 is fine..

Mike

Depends on the kid... And the parent.

Thats what Im thinking too. My dad had us shooting at an early age and I really would like to get him a gun that he can shoot and get him interested in hunting

My 4 year old daughter got her 22 this Christmas.

I am looking for a 223 for next Christmas ok so it will be around July so she will be ready for opening day.

Depends on how mature the kid is, after all I know alot of 17-18yo that I wouldnt trust with a pocket knife.

My son got his first rifle at age 5 and killed his first deer with it at age 6.

yessir.


6 is not too old, heck 4 isn't if they are supervised and well instructed.

When the kid is mature and understands the responsibility, then it is a safe bet he's old enough for a rifle under proper supervision.

It is up to you, IMO. How's he been brought into hunting/ shooting? Has he been shooting a BB gun yet? Might be a good thing to start w/ in the backyard.

My son started shooting at a very young age (3yrs old) and it wasn't a BB gun either. He has 2 BB guns and don't like to shoot them anymore. He likes the bang! He killed his first pig at 4yrs old w/ a .22-250. He then killed an axis doe 3 days before his 6yr b-day w/ a 6mm. He killed his first (2) whitetail does and an 8pt buck this year (2010) at 6yrs old w/ a 6mm and .270 Win. He got a CZ .22 mag for Christmas (2010) at 6 and is gonna be 7yrs old Wednesday!! Looking forward to this summer when we can get out and do more shooting together!!

Supervise them correctly and teach them correctly and it is fine. I did with my daughter and I think that the majority of people on this forum have done the same.

Depends on kid and parent.

Get them a bb-gun first, less expensive, and not as dangerouse, then as they show they can handle it work them on up.

matt

My son wore out 3 bb guns before I got him his first 22 at 6, after a year of target practice, I finally let him hunt with a 30-30 this season hes 7 now.

x2

Mine started on 22's when they were 3. Of course, they were not allowed to carry it around loaded or handle it at all without me hovering over them.

My oldest is now 10 and is good with a firearm, but I still watch him like a hawk because he is still a kid no matter how safety conscious he is.

X2 I'll let mine carry a rifle unloaded to and from the stand. He knows he's not allowed to just touch a firearm w/o asking me first. I learned the safety practices at a very early age and I've done the same w/ mine. Some things needed to be tweaked a little since he's a different kid than what I was.

x2


Again, no matter what age (until they show they can be an adult) they are kids, so I agree with the other posts too about watching them like a hawk their whole lives as kids. Congrats to you for getting your kiddos involved early! I was never taught to shoot until Boy Scouts (rifle and shotgun merit badges) and I wish I had been. I didn't learn to hunt until a friend took me dove hunting, and then eventually deer hunting. I got hooked, but you can dang sure bet my kids will be shooting when the wife and I start having them! For now we just practice making 'em

Depends on kid and parent X1000

I can say we're all blessed here in Texas for the ability to allow our kids to hunt at a very young age. most states doen't allow that till they are 12yrs old. Sometimes taht is too late and the kids have already decided that video games are more important than learning to shoot or hunt.

No two kids are the same. Some or responsible enough at six or seven but others not until 12 or 13 and a few never get to that stage even as adults.

I didnt get a bb-gun till I was 8, it was my 8th b-day present. Dad taught us and turned us loose. Didnt get a 22 till I saved the money and bought one... it is amazing what kind of respect kidds have for things they had to work for and earn!

And personaly I think 6 is too young. That is just an opinion so take it for what it is worth, but to me kidds dont need to start hunting till they can take some responsibility in what they are doing, if dady has to help hold the gun and all that other jazz then they arent doing it... daddy is, let them wait a little longer, take them hunting with you, they will be happy.

matt

I don't help hold the gun nor ever intended to. He knows he's got to do it all on his own. All I do is set the gun on the window seal and tell him which one to kill. He does the rest. He learned how to gut 'em also. Was interesting!

Got BB gun @ 4 yrs old.
.22 Magnum @ 5 yrs old.
.223 @ 6 yrs old.
7x57 @ 8 yrs old.

Yep, the other way around as well. Everyone always thinks their kid can handle it, even when they may not be able to. I know of some adults I wouldn't trust for a second around a gun as well.

IMO There is no special age. Before a kid gets their own gun they should...

Be able to hold and shoot a (the) gun without any help.

Show that they know and understand basic firearms safety.

And be old enough to understand what dead means, and that dead is dead there's no second chances.