Gun safety and control is a pressing concern in countries worldwide for several good reasons. With more than 110 mass shootings since 1982 alone in the US, several countries' lawmakers are naturally concerned about guns and their handlers. There are many pressing questions concerning how old is "old enough" to begin gun and firearm safety training for gun owners with kids. While the experts disagree on the specific age to start this training, there are various factors and advice you can rely on to give your children proper firearms training.

When Is the Right Time?

Children differ significantly in their maturity levels and temperaments at different ages. Therefore, one of the main factors to pay attention to before starting firearm training for children is their respective maturity levels. A respectful and attentive five-year-old may be ready for some firearms training basics, while another child may need to reach their teens before you can trust them with handling guns. Therefore, multiple experts say that discretion and common sense is what you will mainly rely on in deciding whether your child is mentally mature enough to follow instructions and understand the potential dangers guns inherently possess.

Many parents, experts, and gun safety authorities suggest that you teach children from a young age to disregard firearms if they don't have adult permission. For effective firearms training, you can familiarize your kids with your current guns from a young age. However, this education shouldn't end at a simple introduction and a stern warning to never touch the guns, as this may only make children more curious.

Where Do I Begin?

Safety is the first concern you must lay before your kids when talking about firearms. It is crucial to emphasize the power that guns yield and their potential to cause severe injury and death if mishandled. A comprehensive safety training will make them view guns as serious objects instead of mere playthings. Lay down your weapons and briefly introduce each, instilling some essential gun safety tips along the way. This introduction is key to demystifying firearms, satisfying their curiosity in a controlled environment. With this mystery gone, they would be less likely to access and handle guns out of curiosity.

When firearm training children, explain the consequences of firing a gun at someone and stress how important it is to alert an adult and avoid touching any firearm they find. If your children are too young to grasp death abstractly, some experts suggest using visual aids like hunting videos to explain what happens when you shoot a gun at a deer or other game. Keep in mind that this education shouldn't make your children fearful or nervous around firearms. Instead, they must understand that guns are useful tools that demand the highest respect with handling and decision-making. Additionally, use some gun safety rules like the Ten Commandments of Gun Safety to set a solid training foundation. Finally, your actions are crucial to giving your children appropriate firearms training. If your children observe how well you follow gun safety etiquette both outdoors and indoors, your lessons will be more effective.