The .38 special with good loads should be fine.
The 7 year old makes it a whole new ball game. It all depends on how reliable the kid is. Also make sure to have him/her take an NRA gun safety class. Never make the gun a forbidden fruit. If the kid wants to know about it, that is a good time to show some good safe handling. Make sure it is unloaded and explain in the strongest possible language just how dangerous a gun can be if handled carelessly.
>>The 7 year old makes it a whole new ball game. It all depends on how reliable the kid is. Also make sure to have him/her take an NRA gun safety class. Never make the gun a forbidden fruit. If the kid wants to know about it, that is a good time to show some good safe handling. Make sure it is unloaded and explain in the strongest possible language just how dangerous a gun can be if handled carelessly.
My 8 year old daughter has a pink Daisy bb-gun with targets and safety goggles and only touches the gun when papa lets her. Next step is her 12th birthday, where she’ll go to a range with a .22. She loves her bb-gun and knows every safety rule.