In days past many youngsters were well versed in the use of firearms at a early age.
I killed my first grouse at age 9 with a 20ga and hunted other small game with a .22rf before that.
True story!
I got my first BB gun when I was 6; single shot Savage .22 when I was 10; was using my dad’s 16 ga. Ithica double @ 12 (we lived on a farm).
Taught my firearm safety to both kids when they were very young - used to take them shooting in the cinder pits that surround Flagstaff, AZ.
“In days past many youngsters were well versed in the use of firearms at a early age.”
I took firearms safety and marksmanship in the 7th grade.
I had a paper route the year before so that I could earn money to buy a Winchester bolt action .22LR rifle, before entering the 7th grade.
That would never happen today.