Reply #14: Both.

[proteus_lives]

Keep them away till they are old enough to understand (the age is up to the parents) and instruct them in firearm safety and ethics.

One the most important things my dad ever did for me was when I was 6-7 years old. I had always watched him store, clean and fire his guns and was always suitably impressed. I bugged him for a long to time to let me hold one. Finally he took me out into the field behind our house and let me hold a pistol. Then he wrapped his hands around mine and told me to get ready. Then he pulled the trigger. I still remember the the noise, the smell, the shock going up my arm. Then my dad sat down with me and started explaining the real-life facts about guns.

He killed the "mystique" of guns for me that day. Drove out all the movie, book and tv nonsense. I started forming the opinions I still have of weapons today. Thanks Dad.