When I started Jr. out with firearms, I worked with him on gun safety for over 2 years prior to taking him to the range. Even before he put his hands on a real rifle he knew right and wrong. I've only had to correct him a few times and mostly that was putting his finger on the trigger prior to being ready to fire.
When he was 7 1/2, I took him to the range with 3 firearms:a bolt action .22 w/ iron sights, a semi-auto .22 w/ 4X scope, and a .22 pistol w/ a scope. The longest we fired was 15 yards. First, he watched me work all the components of the rifle, how to load and unload, use the trigger, how to use the sights(s). He heard the noise of the each firearm and saw how they reacted to being fired. He learn to squeeze the trigger, where to exactly put the butt of the stock in the shoulder, where to put his cheek on the comb. Over 200 rounds later I had to almost drag him from the shooting bench.
![Big Grin :D](http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Today, at 9 1/2 he is firing .223 rifles out to 100 yards and .38 Special/9mm handguns out to 7 yards and doing very well. I am very proud of him, he is proving to be quite adept at the use of firearms and most importantly he is developing habits of being very safe.
As a former firearms instructor for law enforcement officers, I can not stress enough patience and starting from the very beginning when teaching someone how to shoot, regardless of their age. I see too many people try to teach/learn using a 12 gauge shotgun, a Glock 22 in .40 SW, or other such firearm not really suited for novice hands. Intimidation can really slow and in many cases stop outright any further development.