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My dad started teaching me to shoot when I was 8, using a Smith and Wesson M&P (WW II type, not Model 10, lanyard loop and Royal Crown proof markings) chambered for 38S&W (not 38 SPL). When he died, I asked my Mom for that revolver as my inheritance from him. Last year I gave it to my oldest son to pass down.

Since I met my wife on an Army ROTC rifle team, we have been shooting together for a long time. All of my kids went to the range with me while they were still toddlers, and started learning gun safety while they were learning to talk. I gave all of the ones who were interested in guns a .22 rifle on their 10th birthday. And when I say I gave it to them, I meant it as theirs. They kept them in their rooms and were fully responsible for cleaning them. I have one son left to go. He is 7 and has already been shooting and wants his own rifle.

Of the older kids, 4 got rifles and two preferred archery equipment. Interestingly enough, the first one to ask for archery stuff was the first one to enlist in the Army. She doesn't like guns that much yet, but she had no problems with the Army's range rules, cleaning the rifle, or qualifying.