DAVID NORTON wrote in a message to ROY J. TELLASON:

 DN> On 07-02-03, ROY J. said:

RJ>Five year old Amanda just found out that "Grampa has a gun".  I don't
RJ>think she's quite ready to take out to the range yet,  not that I'm
RJ>going to be neglecting safety considerations.  Probably be a few
RJ>years before she's ready,  eh?

RJ>Or do some of you guys out there manage to start 'em younger than 8
RJ>or 9 or so?

DN> I believe it depends entirely on the individual's maturity, both 
DN> physical (she/he/it has to be able to operate the mechanism of the 
DN> firearm and hold it steady) and mental (he/she/it has to be able to 
DN> make good decisions).

DN> That being said, I personally think 10 years of age is the earliest
DN> I'd think about it. 

Reminds me of one time catching "Dr Laura" (who is apparently
getting more pro-gun as time goes on,  it seems) saying,  in response to a
caller wanting to know when she should give one of her books to a kid.  The
answer was "double digits".  :-)

DN> Before that it's OK for him/her/it to go with you, learn some good 
DN> safety habits and possibly try firing a round (with proper hearing 
DN> protection) but any serious training can wait. 

She likes those "earmuffs" when there's a thunderstorm.  That was
a real inspiration on my part,  when she was here at one point and there
was a big boomer going on...

Think I gotta get me a .22,  maybe a couple (handgun and rifle)...

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