Now that everyone has recovered from being sick, we’re finding that we have more free time. It’s been nice the past couple of days! So nice!
Since Mark was off of work the other day, we decided to fire a few rounds at the gun range.
The Gun Range
Gun range is a pretty lofty title for the place where we go shoot. How to describe the “Gun Range??”
It’s an unmanaged unofficial range up on Beretta Drive in the hills. I don’t know who owns it, but Mark’s co-worker told him about it shortly after we moved to the area.
It’s pretty laid back at the range.
So laid back, in fact, the day we went to the range, the cows were loose! A picture would be perfect right here.
Now all you gun haters out there…don’t be hatin’ on guns. We are not a gun-loving family by any means! But we think the right to bear arms is pretty rad and we choose to exercise that right.
Back to the pasture range…we brought our .22 survival rifle (which is compact and really a cool little gun). And our little itty bitty .380 with a laser that is not sighted in yet.
We have started teaching the kids about gun safety and drilling them on how to handle guns. They can answer basic safety questions pretty well and we run a TIGHT ship out at the range.
So here are our top tips for teaching kids about gun safety. And no, we are not trained professionals, just concerned parents.
Our TOP 9 Tips for Teaching Young Children Gun Safety
- Never, EVER point a gun at ANYTHING unless you intend to shoot it.
- Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.
- Do not put your finger near the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Always point a gun toward the ground. And not at your shoe because your foot is in there ~ that is E’s contribution.
- If you don’t know what to do, stop.
- Slow and calm movements are controlled and safe movements.
- The parent assisting must tell the child they are free to fire. Without our go ahead, they are NOT allowed to pull the trigger.
- They (the shooter) yells “Fire” when they are ready to shoot.
- Hearing and eye protection are to be worn at all times while at the range, (unless they are in a vehicle).
Mark is always helping them, and right beside them. One child is shooting, everyone else is in the van. We go for 1/2 hour or less, short for the kids. That’s it.
My Initial Reservations
In the beginning, I didn’t go with two older kids and I didn’t want Mark taking them to the range. But because our kids are fairly well behaved I wasn’t concerned with them not listening to us. I think it was more the stigma associated with firearms and just fear of something going wrong. Let me tell you…
Stigmas are stupid.
AND something can go wrong anywhere.
The benefits – which I’ll cover – outweigh any negatives. Truly, it’s been a positive experience.
Why This is Beneficial for Children.
- We get to demystify guns and take Hollywood out of guns. Remove the mystery.
- This allows us to squelch the desire to “play” with guns because they can appropriately use them under our direct supervision.
- They get to learn how to safely shoot them (at an age-appropriate level).
- They understand guns are dangerous and we are instilling respect for firearms.
So there you have it. Any tips or benefits you’d like to add?
Thank you so much for posting this! I feel like everyone is tip-toeing around guns lately, and it’s frustrating for me. I grew up with guns in the family. My Dad bought me a .38 when I moved out of the house. I strongly believe that educating your children about gun safety, is the best way to prevent accidents. Just like you said, it removes the curiosity!! I wish more people would understand this.
As a competitive collegiate shooter, I think that this is a fantastic post. I am glad to see that there are people who are not “gun-loving” families teaching their children the safety and value of a firearm. I have been shooting competitively since I was 9, and with my dad since I was 6. The most important thing that shooting has taught me is having the confidence and feeling safe in just knowing that I can protect myself and others if the need arises, plus being a better shot than most guys =). There is so much that this sport has taught me and I will gladly pass on those lessons to my children, when I get to that stage of life!
Thank you Kate, I appreciate your comment! Mark and I were just discussing how we want to get our children into the sport, in fact we were trying to figure out what age would be appropriate. Our oldest is 8 and you’re comment in itself is helpful.
Glad to help!!! the competitive shooting “world” is a very friendly and fun atmosphere for Children to further their skill and learn some very important life skills! If they stick with it and become really good they can possibly get scholarship (partial, but any money helps) and be a student-athlete! I have enjoyed it so much and have made so many life-long friends. The sport is great within itself, but it is so much more than a sport it really is a world. Let me know if you want any more information about how to start or anything else. I’ve coached children as old as your oldest, and girls tend to be easier to train early and better at the sport in general! Glad to be a source of information and resources!
As a competitive collegiate shooter, I think that this is a fantastic post. I am glad to see that there are people who are not “gun-loving” families teaching their children the safety and value of a firearm. I have been shooting competitively since I was 9, and with my dad since I was 6. The most important thing that shooting has taught me is having the confidence and feeling safe in just knowing that I can protect myself and others if the need arises, plus being a better shot than most guys =). There is so much that this sport has taught me and I will gladly pass on those lessons to my children, when I get to that stage of life!
Your post has a lot of meaningful info! Thank you for sharing! As for demystifying guns, I couldn’t agree more. Kids need to respect them & know their power. My husband suggested letting your kids see you shoot a melon so that they could see that the exploding damage is REAL and to be RESPECTED.
That is a great idea Diane!! Thank you so much for sharing!
So great to see someone teaching their kids how to handle firearms! My dad didn’t “get into” guns until I was a bit older, and my fiance wasn’t exposed to guns till he was an adult. We definitely plan to teach our future children how to properly handle guns, as we own (and plan to raise our kids on) a somewhat rural property and it is our main form of protection. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Morgan! So glad to see there are others who are like-minded. I grew up with a hunting family so firearms were always just something that was a part of life and I never wanted to play with them. I really wonder if fear has crept in and most Americans are scared now. Education is key I believe.
We take ours to a very similar gun range, there is never anyone else there but us, and its basically a field out in the middle of nowhere. But really a great place to be able to teach our kids. It is nice to know there are others out there doing the same thing. We have a smaller rifle for the kids to shoot with. We go over all the rules everytime, and they know them well. I grew up in a house where we were taught to be terrified of guns, honestly I think teaching our kids to use them, and use them safely is so much more effective then teaching children to be afraid, or just allowing them to come across them at a friends house and want to play. Our kids know how dangerous they are if used improperly,but also know that they shouldn’t be afraid of them, as they can be very useful if used the right way, not to mention as you said it is a very important right we have.
It’s great to hear your perspective on growing about being afraid of firearms, Sarah! And also wonderful that you’ve turned it around into something positive.
Just stumbled on this post from Pinterest! So well written and exactly how guns should be approached with kids. Thank you for spreading gun education when so many are spreading unnecessary fear.
Just stumbled on this post from Pinterest! So well written and exactly how guns should be approached with kids. Thank you for spreading gun education when so many are spreading unnecessary fear.
Another thing I taught my daughter while getting her familiar with gun safety is what to do if guns are pulled out in an emergency situation I think it’s very important they have that knowledge too.
Good point Melissa. We have not addressed this with our children yet, but they do need to be aware and prepared in case something goes awry.