MrWiggely Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 To get a youngster a .22 cal rifle? My son turned 9 today and has asked for one since sept. and nothing else. What do you think, he would only be able to use it when I am with him as I lock all our guns up in the safe along with triger locks. What do you think? Wigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough That is a good time to start! Only when supervised! Your idea of locking it up is a great one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DU_man_84 Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough i would say yes, its a perfect age to start them at and like you said, he will be accompanied, and youll keep them locked so everything will go safely, and its good to get them started young while u can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough i say...i depends on the maturity of the kid...some are mature enough at that age to get them one to use with the right person to supervise. and them again, some are not at that maturity level yet..and then sometimes the parent is the one not mature enough. I say if your son has the right attidude and willing to listen to your instructions then go for it it'll definitely be something you both can enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkillemquick Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I would say he's old enough with supervision also! Great time to start teaching him the basics. In a few years he'll probably start to know everything(sorry it's comin) and might not pay as much attention as right now. Get him firmly set into safe gun handling practices now and he'll do it for life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough got my son started this fall with a 22 and he's 7. lil long for him but with a bench rest and dads help.. he did alright! but like you said, trigger locks and gun safes! just so they don't get the idea that they know how to use it so they don't need help!! have you taken him hunting with you and had all the safety and responsibility talks already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough He is old enough as long as your watching him real good. Which i would think you will be. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I think that's old enough, make sure he's supervised though and teach him the safety about guns and how dangerous they are when you don't use them with care etc. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough My daughter is about to turn 10. She has a 7mm-08, 22lr and bb gun. They are all locked up and she doesn't touch them without me. She's never even touched a live round while handeling a gun. Keep it safe and all will be well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I got my first at 8, so what are you waiting for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough Wigs, I agree with Michigannowhunter here... It really depends on your son and his maturity level. No matter how badly you want him to be mature enough, you need to look at your son objectively and make an honest determination. There are many 9 year olds I know that shouldn't even be allowed to touch a pair of scissors--much less a firearm. Chances are though that your influence has not only instilled an interest in firearms but also an understanding of the responisbility associated with them. I'd say if he already has a BB gun and has shown he can be responsible with that--it would probably be a good step up for him. If he doesn't have one or does not seem thoroughly competent with one--maybe start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revhard Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough my some wont be six till march, and he has 2 bb. guns, and a .22. killed a couple groundhogs this summer with it. so yes, he is old enough in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mountain_Dragon Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I agree, it depends on the child. My niece, my brother's daughter, is getting a .22 for Christmas this year. She's turning 5 two days later. My brother is a full time hunter (meaning he hunts nearly year round, whatever season is open) and my niece had the Ten Rules Of Gun Safety memorized when she was three. She has definitely been indoctrinated into the world of guns and gun safety and is amazingly smart and mature for a 5 year-old. If you feel that your son is mentally ready to own a gun, by all means get him one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I got one when I was 10, after I started shooting cans outta there with a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun......... But like others have said, it all depends on the maturity level. I ahd been toting a bb gun since I could walk........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough Think it really will depend on the kid. Got my oldest daughter shooting at about age 7. Last year she wanted her own deer rifle, at age 9, so I got her a .243 of her very own for Christmas. Think a .22 for the right kid, as early as 5 or 6 would be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough Wig's, I was already along on hunting trips with my Dad at that age...kinda sorta...LOL I was carrying a Daisy BB-Gun...the kind you unscrewed the end of the barrell and poured the bb's down. I got taught alot of weapons safety without the possible harm that could have come from an accident having a more powerful gun. One of the factors I believe was my best teacher was that my Father made me treat that bb-gun as if it was a real shotgun! He watched everthing I did...and I mean everything!!! We were mostly hunting pheasants at the time. I learned how to control the muzzle while hunting with others, how to respect landowners and their rights/property, how to look beyond my target Before Firing, and not to shoot at anything I was not willing to carry(among many other things)!!! I dont see any problem with you taking on the responsibility of teaching your child the right way to do things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I had a 20 gauge when I was 9. Got my first .22 a couple years before that.(actually dad just let me call his old one mine, but i got to shoot it.lol) I think 9 is definetly old enough, assuming he is mature enough that you believe he will be ok with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IL_HuNtIn_KiD Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough i got my first 12 gauger when i was 10 however...ive always been a big boy...so it all depends on maturity level and alot of that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough Dad had me shooting pop cans when I was 6 or seven and I had my first 12 gauge when I was 9. I think it is a perfect time to start. Under supervision by yourself only though I would say, for now anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I would say it's up to your best judgement of his maturity and behavior level. Only you can say whether he is ok for it or not. I think it goes by each individual and not their age at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I asked my buddy here in the office and he even suggested to start him out with a bb gun to test his maturity level before giving him a .22. Might give you a better insight as to how he will handle a real gun. By the way, I know of some adults I wouldn't trust with a .22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingduckhunter Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Re: How old is old enough my dad let me shoot with him at ages as early as 7... but i didnt get my own until i was ten... the way i look at it as long as it is under adult supervision everything will run smooth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWiggely Posted December 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2006 Re: How old is old enough [ QUOTE ] have you taken him hunting with you and had all the safety and responsibility talks already? [/ QUOTE ] Oh yeah, many times! Got him hooked when he was sitting next to me when I took a 23lb tom a couple years ago. He hasn't stopped badgering me since Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWiggely Posted December 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2006 Re: How old is old enough [ QUOTE ] I asked my buddy here in the office and he even suggested to start him out with a bb gun to test his maturity level before giving him a .22. Might give you a better insight as to how he will handle a real gun. By the way, I know of some adults I wouldn't trust with a .22. [/ QUOTE ] yeah, Andrew has had a BB gun for a couple years now. It always comes along with us when we are out after turkey in the spring, squirles in the fall, it has even been in the deer stand during bow season. He does very well with it, shooting and handling it safely. It has been one of them learn as you go deals with us. It is so much easier to teach them in the field rather than when you think of something else. We do that too. I had him shooting soda cans last summer with my .22, and we took a couple rabbits and woodchuck with it that were getting into the garden. Wigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted December 22, 2006 Report Share Posted December 22, 2006 Re: How old is old enough I like every answer on here. No reason to add anything except: I hope your son enjoys his new .22! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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