Maryland Minimum Age For Supervised Children to Shoot?

SSDD · Feb 26, 2016

I saw this while looking at the news on CNN talking about Iowa changing the law to allow supervised children of any age to be able to shoot handguns. Previously it was only 14 years old and above, still with supervision.

I did some quick searching and came up empty handed. Does Maryland have a minimum supervised age for shooting handguns or long guns?

CNN - Supervised children in Iowa would be able to fire handguns under proposal

GTOGUNNER · Feb 26, 2016

No. Not until they read this thread however.

GTOGUNNER · Feb 26, 2016

They last sentence of the article says
"Federal law provides no minimum age requirement for the purchase and ownership of long guns, such as rifles and shotguns."

I think we all know thats not true.

newmuzzleloader · Feb 26, 2016

GTOGUNNER said:
No. Not until they read this thread however.

Lets hope not. That needs to be a decision made by family not state.

BDWMS · Feb 26, 2016

So Iowa kids don't hunt? I agree. This is a family decision. There's no reason for govt to be involved here. Of course, that hasn't stopped them before.

teratos · Feb 26, 2016

I'm not aware of any laws in MD. My kids started at about 5.

lx1x · Feb 26, 2016

Shooting (supervised) There is no limit. As long the child know the safety and can handle/fire it safely.

16 to access without adult supervision.
Unless the kid went through hunters Ed.

Maryland Criminal Law Code*§ 4-104*covers laws pertaining to children and their access to firearms. In this case, a child is defined as a person under 16 years of age. This code specifically prohibits an individual from leaving or storing a loaded firearm in a place where an unsupervised child could access the firearm. Exceptions include:

If the child is supervised by someone over the age of 18

If the child accessed the firearm after unlawful entry

If the firearm is possessed by a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties

If the child has a hunter and firearm safety certificate

According to part (d) of this code, the penalty for violation is a misdemeanor as well as a fine of up to $1,000.00 However, a violation may not be regarded as evidence of negligence

SSDD · Feb 26, 2016

lx1x said:
Shooting (supervised) There is no limit. As long the child know the safety and can handle/fire it safely.

...

Thanks. My google'ing didn't result in anything, but based on my experience with Maryland firearm laws, I was surprised that Iowa would have something more restrictive than us. It peaked my interest as my oldest is about to turn 4 and seems to be almost ready to go out with dad and a bolt action 22.

trickg · Feb 26, 2016

I fired my first live rounds from a real gun when I was about 4.

lx1x · Feb 26, 2016

SSDD said:
Thanks. My google'ing didn't result in anything, but based on my experience with Maryland firearm laws, I was surprised that Iowa would have something more restrictive than us. It peaked my interest as my oldest is about to turn 4 and seems to be almost ready to go out with dad and a bolt action 22.

Teach em young...

Safety.. Safety.. Safety...

1)muzzle control
2) not a toy

You got the idea...

Dave · Feb 26, 2016

no law, but most indoor ranges I've been to have age minimums. When I had young shooters visiting from oversees, we ended up going to Savage Park so they could shoot.

Schipperke · Feb 26, 2016

GTOGUNNER said:
No. Not until they read this thread however.

Dave said:
no law, but most indoor ranges I've been to have age minimums. When I had young shooters visiting from oversees, we ended up going to Savage Park so they could shoot.

NRA range is 7 , Machine Gun Nest range is 10 , Heritage range no kids..

esqappellate · Feb 29, 2016

SSDD said:
I saw this while looking at the news on CNN talking about Iowa changing the law to allow supervised children of any age to be able to shoot handguns. Previously it was only 14 years old and above, still with supervision.

I did some quick searching and came up empty handed. Does Maryland have a minimum supervised age for shooting handguns or long guns?

CNN - Supervised children in Iowa would be able to fire handguns under proposal

Attached is the statute,MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-133(d) as amended by SB281. That will answer your question. Basically, no person under the age of 21 may possess a handgun, subject to exceptions there listed, but there is no minimum age for purposes of applying the exceptions.

SSDD · Feb 29, 2016

esqappellate said:
Attached is the statute,MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-133(d) as amended by SB281. That will answer your question. Basically, no person under the age of 21 may possess a handgun, subject to exceptions there listed, but there is no minimum age for purposes of applying the exceptions.

Thanks for the reply. If I am reading that correctly, the supervisor needs to be 21 years old (in addition to not being prohibited, etc). That is something interesting to note if correct.

Muleskinner · Feb 29, 2016

I fired my first 22LR at 3 years old. First shotgun at 7...16 gauge double barrel...yes, I accidentally fired both barrels at once and yes it hurt...

zoostation · Feb 29, 2016

The Potomac Penguin is probably drafting a bill right now.

esqappellate · Feb 29, 2016

SSDD said:
Thanks for the reply. If I am reading that correctly, the supervisor needs to be 21 years old (in addition to not being prohibited, etc). That is something interesting to note if correct.

Absolutely! And the supervisor needs to be non-disqualified. Plus, need express parental or guardian approval (odd for a 18year old legal adult). Or be part of a course of instruction by a qualified (read certified NRA) instructor.

CurlyDave · Mar 3, 2016

Muleskinner said:
I fired my first 22LR at 3 years old. First shotgun at 7...16 gauge double barrel...yes, I accidentally fired both barrels at once and yes it hurt...

My granddaughter just fired her first .22 LR last week at the age of 3. My grandson was 4, but I did not find a suitable youth rifle until he was that age. He is now almost 5 and can put 10 out of 10 in a 5 inch group at 40 feet, even though the rifle is still much too large for him.

We thought she might be intimidated by shooting, but after watching her brother she was enthused.

Chris · Mar 3, 2016

Depends on the child. My Oldest started at about 4 with 22 cal shooting balloons then paper. My youngest not till he was 6 again with 22 cal. I think each parent knows when their child is ready. We don't need another law telling parents when and when not your child is ready for any activity. Chris

5.56blaster · Mar 3, 2016

trickg said:
I fired my first live rounds from a real gun when I was about 4.

I was hunting by myself at 14. Sad world were in. If a 14 year old walked down the street now with a shotgun some idiot would callow for a SWAT team. :sad20:

Maryland Minimum Age For Supervised Children to Shoot?

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