I grew up with guns and as a child I never shot anyone. None of my 6 brothers or sisters shot anyone either. We were taught how to handle guns safely and to respect human life. More kids should be taught the proper handling of guns and how to use them.
My kids (girls too) started shooting when they reached first grade. They were “indoctrinated” with gun safety and design and how stupid other people/kids would be and not to fall to peer pressure to “get out the guns” and to avoid the same behavior when visiting friends. This indoctrination was continuous and consistent. Shooting and hunting was a family event. Same process occurred for all our archery equipment if they had an interest.
Aside from the ones I had that they got to use:
At age 10 got “their” first .22 rifle.
At age 12 got “their” first shotgun.
At age 14 got “their” first centerfire rifle.
They kept them in their rooms with ammo appropriately stored and were responsible for cleaning them as needed. As they turned 21 they each bought “their” first of numerous handguns.
Not once have I ever had to admonish them for poor judgement or caught them “playing” with them away from my supervision. Today they are all crack shots (2 are expert qualified 0311’s).
BTTT!