>As I think Tracy would agree, supervised target shooting not only demystifies guns but teaches a sense of responsibility. I'd limit it to a real target range where they have experience teaching very young people. Range protocols are very stiff and make it very clear guns are not a game and like cars and power tools require attention and respect. If he's interested in guns (and most young boys are) it is probably the best way to connect them with reality instead of TV/movie/video game fantasy. Once a kid has actually tried to hit something with a gun he realizes they aren't magical and doesn't take the fictional representations of their power as seriously.

Good post!