I grew up in a family of hunters. We learned as soon as we were able that you don't play with guns, you don't point them at anything you intend to shoot, and you don't shoot at anything you don't intend to kill. By age 11 we all knew how to shoot, how to clean and maintain a gun, and how to handle one properly when in the woods, crossing a fence, or what have you.

My grandfather kept a rifle and a shotgun in a broom closet at the top of the stairs, just inside the front door of his home. They were not locked up, we KNEW not to touch them.

I began teaching my son at age 6. I've seen children shot and killed by others that hadn't been taught the very basics of gun safety and what a bullet would do to a body.

It's a tool in the hands of someone taught safety and shown what it can do. It's death in those not taught.

Something really stupid about children and weapons. I guess it goes with being and idiot.
Banter aside. There is nothing wrong with children learning to shoot and handle firearms properly. I was taught to shoot when I was 8 by my father. I was taught the fundamentals and proper technique for weapons handling.
I had my first weapon at 13 and have owned at least wone hand gun and rig=fle ever since.
My two prothers and sister also learned at an early age. Nothing wrong with that.