From: pacdata!dave@uunet.UU.NET (David Ambrose)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Youth Shooter Questions
Date: 10 Sep 92 12:28:15 GMT
Organization: Steppenwolf's Magic Theater

In article <9209082256.AA27306@hplsdmc.col.hp.com> saksa@col.hp.com (Tom Saksa) writes:
#My daughter, (age 9), has recently returned from a two week kids
#summer camp where she did some conoeing, riding, archery, and
#shooting.  Since then she expressed an interest in learning more
#about target shooting, and I wish to oblige her if it can be done
#reasonably safely.  I am hoping for a bit of advice, and the
#answers to the following questions.
#
#   1. Is 9 a good age, or should I try to hold off?  I know that
#   this is probably somewhat dependent on the child and other
#   situations.  My daughter is very responsible and I do not under
#   any circumstances plan to allow her any unsupervised time with
#   any firearm! 
#
	It really does depend on the child.  I started my daughter when
she was nine.  If she's responsible,  you shouldn't have any major
problems.  My daughter, Elizabeth, was very careful from the start and took the
responsibility seriously.  

	I spent the first sessions watching her full-time.  After a
time,  I was able to shoot in the lane along side her.  This is still
one of our favorite activities.

#   2. What should I use to teach fire arm safety?  I have a Daisy
#   air rifle, and it seems to have the features I would want.  It
#   is singlely loaded in the rear with a bolt like action.  It also
#   has a safely similar to those on many 22 rifles.  I also have
#   a 22 rifle, but it is a semi auto, and may not be a good
#   choice.
#
	The fit of the rifle is of prime importance here.  Elizabeth is
very small for her age.  We bought a Chipmunk .22 rifle for her and it was
still too large.  I cut it down and simply resigned myself to replacing
the stock later.

	The Chipmunk .22 was specifically designed as a child's first
rifle.  It is a bolt action single-shot with peep sights.  The fit and
finish is somewhat funky,  but functional,  and it wears in reasonably
well.  The rifle has to be manually cocked which has turned out to be a
good feature.  She sits down and _thinks_ about every shot.

	I'm not totally enthusiastic about airguns for safety training.
They're just a bit too much like toys.  However,  your attitude will
probably set the tone.  "Guns are not toys." is a simple and readily
comprehended message.

#   3. Where do I find shooting glasses in a size that works well
#   for kids.  I cannot find child sized safety glasses anywhere.
#   My daughter has used adult safety glasses at times and finds
#   they tend to either get in the way, fall off, become
#   uncomfortable, or all three.
#
	I too would be interested in locating some sources.  An
optometrist should be able to fabricate some though.  Cheap frames,
tempered 3mm thick lenses, and side shields should not run too much.

#   4. Should I not do any training at all, and get her into a
#   club, class, or other program?
#
	This depends on your own confidence and experience level.  I
would certainly *not* pass up the opportunity to take my kids shooting.
They thoroughly enjoy it,  and will be vastly better off for the
experience.  The NRA has training materials available.  Call the
education division and explain your needs.

	If you don't feel confident in training her,  then a formal
program should also be fine.  Hunter safety courses cover the saftey
aspects,  but (at least in CA) don't talk much about marksmanship and
other shooting skills.

	Learning to shoot has been very benificial for my daughter.
We're closer because of it.  She's more mature because of it and our
non-shooting relatives are aghast :-).

	I recommend you go for it.  It will serve her well.


-- 
David Ambrose - Pacific Data Products           UUCP: uunet!pacdata!dave
619/597-3426 				    Internet: dave@pacdata.com

Play it cool,  play it cool,  fifty-fifty fire and ice -- Joni Mitchell