>>>That sounds like a great suggestion. I have been staying on the sidelines in this discussion, having zero knowledge of guns, but I was wondering about kickback and a 9 year old kid.
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>>I obviously wouldn't recommend letting a small child shoot a shotgun or other "big boy" gun unless they are extremely comfortable. It could cause trauma, fear, and a sore shoulder. I'm a big boy and I get rattled when shooting certain shells in my shotgun.
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>.22 rifles aren't bad on the kickback either.

You're right. It's important to take baby steps.