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I hit the range yesterday afternoon and was getting ready to take my cleaning gear out to the back porch to clean the 2 guns I shot right as my wife and kids got home (2 girls, age 10 and 8). The girls wanted to help, so I started with a basic safety lesson to assume the gun is always loaded until you check it yourself, then check it again just to be sure, etc. I showed them how to check if the guns are loaded (I had a revolver and a semi, so they learned both). I then showed them how to field strip the semi, use a bore snake, etc. I must say that I was very impressed with how diligent they were They kept at it with Q-tips in every crevice until they came out completely clean. It was a good bonding moment and I really enjoyed sharing the experience with them.

A year ago, neither of my daughters would tolerate anything to do with guns, but I got my oldest a BB gun for her birthday this past summer, and have been shooting cans in the back yard with both of them whenever we get the chance. Pretty soon, they will be ready fior a trip to the range.

That is cool!

My daughter is 4, but she already asks plenty of questions about "daddy's guns" ... I've let her shoot a few plastic suction-cup dart guns ($5 from the grocery store), but I'm thinking for Christmas or birthday this year might start her on an airsoft rifle or even an actual BB gun.

Very nice!!!

My 8y old has helped me twice and just a few days ago asked me if I remembered telling her that I'd thought about getting her a gun sometime. She said she wanted to come to the range with me next time I go. I think I'll let her shoot my BB gun first and then retrieve my .22 rifle from my dad next time we visit. It was a surprise when she brought it up. A nice surprise.

We don't have any kids. I was going to teach my Golden Retriever. Thing is, he has no thumbs.


In seriousness, way to be proactive with your kids and firearm safety (which certainly includes some maintenance).

Here is the ten yr old granddaughter dirtying her Cricket .22lr, she got to clean it, too.


I just looked at the pic. It's grandma's 10/22 with red dot.....so many pink guns at the house, I get them confused.

Ah.... non of the pink ones are yours though right? Great pic...

Gary

Some of my fondest memories are around range time with my dad. The first time I remember was in the 1st grade shooting the 22 pistol and wanting the end bench so the brass didn't bounce off the wall onto my arm. I also served as spotter when he did long range and rifle. Now, looking back I don't know that he really needed the spotter, but I sure felt like the big cahoney (or however you spell it).

I learned to respect firearms, not fear them, they are not toys but tools, and are ALWAYS loaded until you have checked them yourself and then might still be! You NEVER even joking with a toy pointed a gun at someone. And about once a year we shot frozen milk jugs and old melons or pumpkins; depending on the season, to show what they could do to someones head.

As I got older I did some action "quick draw" competitions and handgun silhouette competition - yes I can knock down a turkey at 150meters with a 44 magnum (aka hand cannon), but only once - 'cause I ain't doing it again! You can do it with a 357 too, and that I did more than once.

Now, I am enjoying taking my daughters to the range, which we did not do enough while they are growing up. At least not consistently - they are good shots, and really enjoy it. As I take the walk in obtaining my CHL - which I can't believe I haven't done sooner - I miss Dad, he would love this, and be right there with us! The main reason I went ahead and got the liberty version of the P238 is because he would love it! It is also the reason I will never get rid of the 10-5 S&W 38 revolver I really learned to do most of my shooting on.

Sorry for the ramble - Enjoy your daughters - thanks for not limiting their choices because they are girls - they will thank you later!

DA

Cleaning is how Dad set the hook. My siblings and I learned gun safety - and a lot more - at the kitchen table, amid the aroma of Hoppe's #9.

Shooting came later as a special treat.

I went to the range yesterday with my 8 year old daughter to shoot skeet. We had the one skeet range to ourselves. She didn't think I was going to put her to work, but I had her press the buttons on the remote when I said "pull". I was impressed, I only had to explain High house, low house, and doubles only once or twice. She seemed to have a blast. Was even telling me "Good shot dad" and "You did better on this one than the last one"... I had to stop after 4 rounds. She wanted to keep going, but it was time to go. She now wants to go back and is even thinking of trying it herself. I'll have to look into a semi-auto 20 for her I guess.

She's been plinking with the Pink bb gun already now for a couple of years. I think it's time to move up. She told me last week she want to go shoot a deer. I told her she had to eat it. She said 'OK, as long as you cook it." We'll do that later. I'll also have to find a .243 for her I guess.

That is so cool! I hope you can continue to coach them in the shooting sports - I run into FAR too many ladies who knee-jerk freak out about guns simply because they've never been around one. A big shout-out to the dads, grandads, and brothers who have helped young ladies take this step :)