How do I get my 7yro interested in shooting?

erwos · Jul 18, 2018

This is such a weird question for me, but here goes.

I have a 7yro son who I would like to get interested in shooting, as he's now responsible enough to keep the gun pointed down range and taking things seriously; maybe start him off with a 22lr. But when I bring up the topic of doing this, he seems completely disinterested. He seems to enjoy shooting his Nerf rifle at targets, but doesn't seem to want to take it up to the next level.

On one hand, I don't want to be pushy, but on the other hand 1) I think he'd enjoy it and 2) it would get me out to the range more if I could take him. I am kind of pondering just making him handle my 10/22 some evening to remove the mystique from it further, but I don't even know if that will be enough.

Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to move things along? Should I be thinking basement air gun range?

StantonCree · Jul 18, 2018

He's 7.........throw his tiny butt in the car and say it's a day with daddy. Go shooting, praise him, and then go get ice cream or burgers or whatever he really likes BOOM hooked for life.

And if he doesn't want to go ill go lol

knastera · Jul 18, 2018

erwos said:
This is such a weird question for me, but here goes.

I have a 7yro son who I would like to get interested in shooting, as he's now responsible enough to keep the gun pointed down range and taking things seriously; maybe start him off with a 22lr. But when I bring up the topic of doing this, he seems completely disinterested. He seems to enjoy shooting his Nerf rifle at targets, but doesn't seem to want to take it up to the next level.

On one hand, I don't want to be pushy, but on the other hand 1) I think he'd enjoy it and 2) it would get me out to the range more if I could take him. I am kind of pondering just making him handle my 10/22 some evening to remove the mystique from it further, but I don't even know if that will be enough.

Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to move things along? Should I be thinking basement air gun range?

I did the basement air rifle range. I got a set of little steel targets with zombies on them. He loved killing zombies. A year later, he moved up to 22lr.

iH8DemLibz · Jul 18, 2018

Your initial parental instincts are correct and are the ones you should go with.

If he's not interested in real guns, he's not interested in real guns. The last thing you should do as a parent is force what you want from him on him.

Many times, kids are 180 degrees out from their parents.

They're little individuals. That's a good thing. And his choices should be respected.

benton0311 · Jul 18, 2018

Show him a few firearms one night and while doing so teach him the basics of weapons safety. Let him handle them and make gentle corrections as necessary. I did that with my 5yo and I can hand him any firearm that he can physically hold and he will always keep it in a safe direction (even considering what floor of the house he's on and adjacent rooms), keep his finger straight and off the trigger, and keep it on safe. He'll even ask me to show him the chamber to make sure it's empty.

Basement airgun range sounds like a fun idea although I plan on skipping straight to .22 CB shorts.

bkuether · Jul 18, 2018

I think I just took them both to the range and they wanted to "try".

With a 7yo, you have to make sure things are right, otherwise they will punch out.

Hearing and vision protection need to be comfortable. And you have to be supportive, regardless of what happens. They are going to make some mistakes. Take the initiative to not place 100% accountability in their hands right off the bat. Make sure the rifle is clear before they can get their hands on it to put it away.

One time I picked up a rifle to put it back in the case, and my son followed me, doing exactly what I did. I didn't want that to happen, but because I had made the rifle safe, there were no issues.

ClutchyMcClutcherson · Jul 18, 2018

I’ve taken my 4 and 3 year old to the range. I wanted to start them young cause it’s easier to develop their interest at that age IMO.

My advice is take him to the range and let him see your shooting, even if he doesn’t wanna do it. If he shows interest, let him do it. I started mine with a single shot bolt action savage Rascal in 22.

Also showing you child guns in the house isn’t a bad thing. Everyone will have differing opinions on the matter as far as age to start. But for me it makes the most sense to remove the mystique. Show them what it is, explain the safety rules, and let them feel the difference between that and a nerf gun. For me the safety rules are pretty simple. If you see a gun, don’t touch it, and tell a parent. If your brothers are around take them with you. The only time mine touch is when I’m standing over them at the range. And for a B.B. gun they don’t touch it unless I’m doing the same in the back yard.

I want to make a basement range too for B.B. guns. There’s a thread on it here somewhere I started fairly recently.

ClutchyMcClutcherson · Jul 18, 2018

mpdc4511 said:
He's 7.........throw his tiny butt in the car and say it's a day with daddy. Go shooting, praise him, and then go get ice cream or burgers or whatever he really likes BOOM hooked for life.

And if he doesn't want to go ill go lol

And especially this. Before, during, and after MUST be full of positive attention, and praise when they’re doing things right. It can be frustrating. So if it turns that direction, stop and go home.

pbharvey · Jul 18, 2018

Air guns with interactive targets: knock downs, swinging, exploding sweet tarts, splatter targets, whatever.
I’ve been shooting almost my entire life and sometimes I get bored with poking holes in paper.

alucard0822 · Jul 18, 2018

mpdc4511 said:
He's 7.........throw his tiny butt in the car and say it's a day with daddy. Go shooting, praise him, and then go get ice cream or burgers or whatever he really likes BOOM hooked for life.

And if he doesn't want to go ill go lol

This. Started my boy out at 4 teaching gun safety, then took him to "help" me at the range. Soon as he could, he sat on my lap, and we shot single loaded 22s, which was a big thing for him, and got him hooked. Now almost 7, still needs help holding up rifles, but has trigger discipline sufficient for a few controlled rounds through a semi-auto, or single-loaded in a pistol, which he can fire on his own. Same as always, keep it fun, keep it safe, and enjoy the special time it is.

mdrpd · Jul 18, 2018

I took my son, got him a Savage Rascal in his favorite color, and paid him per shot. If he got a 10, he got 10 cents, down to a 6 ring which was 6 cents. For less than 2 bucks a range trip he is thrilled to take my pocket change and have fun shooting. He is 7 and just passed Hunter Safety last month with a 99%.

mdrpd · Jul 18, 2018

We also go to turkey shoot and he shoots a small .410 and gets a hot dog and a soda, etc. Its fun.

Derwood · Jul 18, 2018

Sounds like you have a good plan. You might get a copy of the Boy Scouts rifle shooting merit badge book to get some formal ideas on how to teach safety and good shooting. I'm going to do with my son in a few years what Hickok45 says he did with his son. That is, I'll tell him if he ever just wants to handle a gun, just ask me. And if I have a few minutes, I'll let him. I'll pull something out of the safe for him to hold, look at, think about, etc. with me right next to him. If he wants to shoot a .22 or something once he's old enough to do so, I'll be happy to make that happen for him. I won't take him to an indoor range when others are likely to be shooting large caliber rifles. But I'll take him to an outdoor range or to an indoor range when it's not likely to be packed so that he can hear me well and can pay attention to what is going on.

outrider58 · Jul 18, 2018

iH8DemLibz said:
Your initial parental instincts are correct and are the ones you should go with.

If he's not interested in real guns, he's not interested in real guns. The last thing you should do as a parent is force what you want from him on him.

Many times, kids are 180 degrees out from their parents.

They're little individuals. That's a good thing. And his choices should be respected.

So take him out and buy him a sun dress. (J/K)

Do you ever clean or handle your firearms in front of him? That might arouse his interest.

Whatever you start off with, keep it low impact. Most kids that age have a wandering interest. They can get bored quickly. That's stopping time.

mdrpd · Jul 18, 2018

We are lucky too that we live in a very rural area with 5 acres to shoot on. When I lived in Carroll County I took one trip to the range there at the dump, took one look at the crowds and the tomfoolery going on there, and said F*** it and didn't shoot again for the next five years 'til I had a better place.

ClutchyMcClutcherson · Jul 18, 2018

mdrpd said:
I took my son, got him a Savage Rascal in his favorite color, and paid him per shot. If he got a 10, he got 10 cents, down to a 6 ring which was 6 cents. For less than 2 bucks a range trip he is thrilled to take my pocket change and have fun shooting. He is 7 and just passed Hunter Safety last month with a 99%.

Congrats on the test. I’m sure you’re proud!

Blacksmith101 · Jul 18, 2018

I started a 7 year old last night at the Mason Dixon Junior Air Rifle Club in Rising Sun MD, as part of the American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program.
I teach the gun safety and basic marksmanship introduction before we get them shooting.

Young kids have a short attention span so you have to keep things in small segments. They will typically need extra assistance because their strength is less. Most important is see that they have fun so shooting is an enjoyable experience. Shooting with other kids is a plus if possible. Do a dominate eye test and teach them to shoot from their dominate eye, they will ultimately be better shooters because of that.

Start them with a BB gun (typ at 5 yards) or an air rifle (typ 10 yds/meters). Start them shooting from the supported position. It usually works better if someone other than family does the teaching because they will listen better and there are fewer emotions involved.

Here are some resources to help:

A number of articles written by Gary Anderson read them all before you start:
http://thecmp.org/communications/gary_otm/

Get them involved with a junior shooting program:
Here is the American Legion
https://www.legion.org/shooting/about

4-H Shooting program
http://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/shooting-sports

Daisy/Jaycees Program
https://www.daisy.com/education

NRA
https://homeairgun.nra.org/

CMP affiliated clubs in Maryland with junior programs
https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php

If you can't find a program start one!
https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/legion/publications/Start Junoir Shooting Sports.pdf
The youth are our future shooters and second amendment supporters.

Some Coaching Resources to take you further when ready:
http://thecmp.org/training-tech/coaching-resources/

BB Gun posters
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/BBGunPosters.pdf

Junior Shooters Guide to Air Rifle Safety
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/JrSafetyGuidetoARSafety.pdf?ver-051817

American Legion junior Shooters Guide
https://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/jssp_student_handbook.pdf

Teaching With The Supported Position (Start them here)
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMMay2009.pdf

Teaching The Other Positions
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/TeachingRiflePositions.pdf

Videos Building The Positions
Prone
https://vimeo.com/30815959
Kneeling
https://vimeo.com/30903705
Standing
https://vimeo.com/30857781

mdrpd · Jul 18, 2018

ClutchyMcClutcherson said:
Congrats on the test. I’m sure you’re proud!

Thanks! Yes, he is excited to go for small game.

Mack C-85 · Jul 18, 2018

Derwood said:
Sounds like you have a good plan. You might get a copy of the Boy Scouts rifle shooting merit badge book to get some formal ideas on how to teach safety and good shooting. I'm going to do with my son in a few years what Hickok45 says he did with his son.

For those of you in the AACO area.....if you want the Rifle Shooting Merit Badge book, there is a Scout Shop located on Dorsey Road in Hanover, in the shopping center right behind the Cancun Cantina. End of the building across from the Burger King.

My son is awaiting his approval from National for his Eagle rank, so I haven't book any books recently, but I think they're about $5.

There is also one for Shotgun Shooting.

They are also available online from The Scout Store. https://www.scoutshop.org/literature

kbuddy · Jul 18, 2018

All good advice here especially the ones that said:
1) Just take him.
2) Make it fun, kids have short attention spans.
I’ll just add that you and your son are welcome to come shoot with me and my boys at our place. They’re 8 (twins) and I have a Cricket rifle you can use.

How do I get my 7yro interested in shooting?

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