[Jaysun]

I'm a gun nut if ever there were one, but I have to be honest and say that this doesn't strike me as a good idea. Something about giving an 11 year old girl her own rifle just doesn't feel right. Can't you purchase a rifle for her to use without making it "hers" until she's older?

[Lazamataz]

I'm a gun nut if ever there were one, but I have to be honest and say that this doesn't strike me as a good idea. Something about giving an 11 year old girl her own rifle just doesn't feel right.

I completely disagree.

[Lazamataz]

A better picture:

[TMSuchman]

She already knows about this, but it will be secured in MY gun locker, and will only come out with me there. I have the only keys that will unlock it.
She will learn to shoot thw way Marines do, with lots of time on the range with me standing right over her sholder, ready to take charge when & if I have to!
I have taken her a couple of times before and she is pretty good, and follows instructions very well. I have no doubt that she will be ok.

[hiredhand]

You'd be amazed at what kids can do IF you take the time to properly instruct them. This is my youngest (just turned 10) shooting his Armalite A-2.

[groanup]

...until she's older?

I know, I didn't get my first pistol until I was twelve. Pearl handled Ruger over/under .22 deringer.

[lindor]

Just a ques ton. Would it be okay to give a rifle to an 11 year old boy?

I like the poster's answer saying he would keep the rifle locked in his gun safe. But as for me, giving an 11 year old a 22 rifle is fine as long as the parent and child are responsible. Easy-Bake ovens are dangerous too.

[Shooter 2.5]

High Power Rifle Match

IDPA Match

[packrat01]

Something about giving an 11 year old girl her own rifle just doesn't feel right.

ditto here. she shoulda got it when she was 8. handguns are for 11 year olds...

[Smokin' Joe]

At nine, I was hunting whitetails with my .410 and rifled slugs, and got my first deer when I was 11. Although it was my gun, there were very strict rules about handling, storage, and it could only be brought out under parental supervision. It was stored with the rest of the family long guns, and that was strictly forbidden territory unless mom or dad said it was OK.

In retrospect, I might not have been quite as careful with my gun (shotgun, that is) had it not been 'mine'. The sense of propriety made for some coddling for that old bolt action, and I never failed to clean and oil it after every trip to the duck blind.

[Beaker]

Can't you purchase a rifle for her to use without making it "hers" until she's older?
Giving the kid a sense of ownership will make her more responisble IMO.