I got my first rifle when I was 9 years old. My older step-brother trained me in handling it. I grew up in Missouri. The other kids in my neighborhood also had rifles. We went hunting and fishing on weekends during the winter and nearly everyday during summer vacations. Interesting, no comparison with the young kids today who have no maturity and few responsibilities. When I enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Korean War I was way ahead of others who had never handled a rifle or pistol.
“I got my first rifle when I was 9 years old. My older step-brother trained me in handling it. I grew up in Missouri. The other kids in my neighborhood also had rifles.”
...and the streets were flowing red with blood! NOT.