As a 9 year old, I got my first “gun”, a Daisy BB rifle.
My dad taught me three rules about using that and all other guns to follow
1) Always assume the gun is loaded,
2) Never point a gun at some one unless you intend to kill them.
3) Always assume a gun is loaded (a double check on No.1).
When I was 8 I got my first firearm. A .22 rifle and a box of ammo. My dad told me the same thing. Exact words.
He was a Korean war vet. I still have that rifle.