im 17 now and i remember getting the sh!t scared out of my b.c my older brother was learning to shoot the bb gun(at the time i was so exited to be able to shoot) i dont remember how old i was but my brother accidnelty pointed an empty gun at my dad and he flipped....i learned alot from him and as i look back i find it hilarous, but i would agree with most b.c my lil cuz is 9 and he is almost ready for the gun...but not just yet he is vary imaturehowever when we say we would go shoot he would become a Christion boy, perfect in ever way.i think if u do it early it gives ya kid a sence of pride...maybe straiten them out..i remember it made me feel like a million bucks!!!!!and i aint half bad now...