BB guns for kids

[Debbiesflocks]

Quote:
6lbs of gopher meat

 

[Nimby Chickens]

I was 12 or 13 when I learned to shoot a low-powered rifle at summer camp. We were taught to clean them, load them, and shoot paper targets. We were taught to respect what the guns could do.

This was an all-girls summer camp and I never saw such a stone-faced group of pre-teens before or after.

That camp was awesome. Taught me a lot about life and I was away from my parents for almost 2 months - no phone calls, no A/C, no hot water. Laundry once every 3 weeks. Horseback riding every day, and fishing for dinner. We came into that camp nervous girls with body issues and came out strong people.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Where is that camp?

 

[LindsayB]

We're really big on hunting so for my daughters 4th birthday back in feb. we got her a pink bb gun. I know it might seem alittle early to give a 4 year old a bb gun but she absolutely loves it. We have a target set up in the backyard and she hits it dead center every time. I'm very proud of my little girl!

 

[Peaches Lee]

I was 18 when I got my first pellet pistol. And I have bought two .22s since then. My family does not hunt because we enjoy animals too much (which is why I have 13 roosters LOL!) I enjoy shooting targets because of the challenge it presents and I love having a weapon in case of a human attack.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Quote:
Camp Ton-A-Wandah in Hendersonville, NC.

 

[yomama]

I love shooting guns. Don't have any, except a pellet gun, but the actual shooting is fun for me. I don't hunt though, too big of an animal lover, like Peaches Lee, but love target practice. My children do not have guns. Mainly because we are not a hunting family, and they have never expressed a desire to have one. We live in a big hunting community, so my family is definitely in the minority when it comes to hunting. At this point and time, I would not let my girls have a gun. This is due to the fact that they are not educated enough in the ways of handling a gun and the responsibility that goes with it. I have no problem if people allow their children to have bb guns, provided they understand the power behind a gun. Even one as simple as a bbgun. What I cannot stand is hearing how kids go out and shoot blue jays, or the neighbors cats or this or that- and the rediculous justifications that go with that. Justifications that I know have been learned by their families. Not only that, how many maimed and injured animals are running around due to kids and their "target practice". I feel that if your child has a gun, teach them the right way of handling it, as well as respect for nature and other peoples' property and belongings. If your going to shoot gophers, shoot to kill then, not torture. Again, I like guns, and I think they can be great fun. Just not in the hands of the irresponsible. Please note, I am not saying that is anyone here, I'm talking about people in general (or people that I live around.

) If your child is to get a gun, all I can say is educate, educate, educate. JMO.

 

[CowgirlJules]

I was about 12 when my dad and grandpa taught me to shoot with a .22. I've been shooting ever since, so thirty more years of it so far.

I bought my sons a BB gun when the youngest was about 5 and the oldest 9. They plinked with it under supervision, and I taught them gun safety. My older son lost interest, but my younger son has been right there with me shooting ever since. I bought him his first real gun, a combo .22, 20ga shotgun, and .243 rifle with interchangeable barrels, when he was nine. He does shooting sports with 4H.

When he was also 9, I met my now-husband, who's a big trapshooter. He got my son started with a little trapshooting with a better 20ga at 4H and then got us both into the league shooting. My son will be 14 this year and I've backed off of league shooting so the ammo money can go to him. The kid is a natural, and my husband says he's much better than he was at that age. He'll most likely be squad leader of his junior team this year, we'll find out on Saturday.

He's gone hunting with me since he was eight too, so he understands what the gun can do. He shot his first birds with my father-in-law two years ago, and took his first big game animal, a bear, last year. I'm happy to send him out back to kill the rats in the woodpile with my pellet gun; I know my dogs and chickens are safe around him. I gave him a .30-06 rifle the day he went deer hunting for the first time. If he shoots 50 clay pigeons in a row, he's going to earn himself a 12 gauge too. Right now he's shooting mine. He's better than I am with it.

My husband also has raised his girls, who are slightly younger, around guns all of their lives. Any kid can ask to see any gun from the safe at any time. A parent or grandparent has to be present and we take that time to drill them in safety. It's to take the mystery out of them.

We also don't do toy guns in our house, as children can get confused going back and forth. My mom took my son to see his cousins, and was very amused by his safe handling of the nerf guns. It's ingrained in him that much by now.

 

[33yardbirds]

I got my first gun at age 10. Started on a .22 at seven. Didn't get a pellet gun until I was in my late 20's. My daughter's first experience shooting was at age 2 with a .30 Rugar Blackhawk that I supported in my cupped hands. We gave her a Remington 20 gauge
pump for her 12th birthday. Started my Grandson on a Rugar .22 MK III just 3 wks ago on his 4th birthday.

 

[ChickenPeep]

My sister got one when she was about 12, but she's 16 now and doesn't use it much.