Op-Ed: Guns and kids

February 22, 2005
The Black Hills (SD) Pioneer

By Dan Carlson

The rifle sat firmly in place on the bench rest last Saturday. A small group gathered behind the rifleman as his cheek rested in the stock and his keen eye peered through the scope. "It needs to move a little that way," he said gesturing a thumb to the left. An adjustment was made and he announced that the sight picture was good. He took the shot, and then nine more
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before making sure the gun was empty and moving downrange to inspect the target some 30 yards away. Five of the ten shots were grouped tightly in or just next to the one-inch bull's-eye, and the others weren't more than an inch or two away. A broad smile showed his satisfaction and then he exchanged high-fives with his instructor...me.

My 4-year-old son then turned the Ruger 10/22 over to his 7-year-old sister, and she shot an almost identical group. It was their first attempt at shooting a rifle, and their enthusiasm suggests there will be many more outings like it.

Click here for the entire op-ed, from The Black Hills (SD) Pioneer Press.

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