Just got this from WAPA and thought that it might be interesting to WA members. They are looking to change the age from 12 to 10 years old. I think it will be good for the sport.
WAPA held their meeting last Friday, after discussion it was decided we ask all WAPA clubs to consider lowering the minimum shooting age from 12 to 10 years of age by changing the original WAPA Regulations Section 7 under the heading Junior Shooters from
7b) The applicant may not use any pistol designed to discharge a projectile unless he/she has attained the age of 12 years and has satisfactorily completed the Firearms Safety Training Course set out in these Regulations.
Providing the Junior Shooter is physically capable of handling the firearm required for the specific match in a safe manner, a junior shooter who has attained the age of 12 years may shoot any matches conducted by this Association.
To read:
7b) The applicant may not use any pistol designed to discharge a projectile unless he/she has attained the age of 10 years and has satisfactorily completed the Firearms Safety Training Course set out in these Regulations
Providing the Junior Shooter is physically capable of handling the firearm required for the specific match in a safe manner, a junior shooter who has attained the age of 10 years may shoot any matches conducted by this Association.
Could you please bring this to your committees attention and, if possible, respond whether or not they agree
That would be a good thing imo, but not just for the sport. Great for the youngings too, as they will be sorounded by and learn from extremely responsible people that will impart a comprehension of safety and responsibility that will be absorbed by way of a strong desire to emulate and impress those that take the time to teach them… You can’t beat, a self motivated desire to learn.imo… That’s what it did for me anyway… !!
And like road safety and everything else, getting them into safely doing things the younger they are the better it sticks.
Try driving out your driveway these days with a kid and no seatbelt and they’ll jump all over you, we never even had seat belts as kids and now most of us only chuck one on coz we don’t wanna get a fine.
But they’re in the kids ears from kinda these days.
Todays 10 year old’s are yesterdays 13yo’s.
That said, its not for all of them. My 10yo is more than capable of beginning his Cat H journey but the two years will go like a million miles an hour and Ill be wondering what happened to my little boy who was only 10 moments ago.
Plus I need a 2 year head start on the little bastard.
Agreed, but I’m quite comfortable that the following test should filter out any that aren’t suitable mate…
“The applicant may not use any pistol designed to discharge a projectile unless he/she has attained the age of 10 years and has satisfactorily completed the Firearms Safety Training Course set out in these Regulations”
Great idea and hopefully gets implemented. Not sure NSW being left tarded and home of the “Offended by everything” mob it could happen here. I got the boy child licensed for long arms a week after he turned 12 and month later did his pistol permit. By 13 he was a full member of the club and shooting all manner of things. I think that so long as the youngster can physically handle the firearm in a safe manner then go for it but it’s also important that they are mature enough as well.
100% agree.
Over here in litte Russia we don’t have any age limits on our kids being able to shoot so mine were all taught how to handle and shoot correctly when they were around 8 or 9.
Of the 3, both boys have their own firearms and shoot regularly. The daughter doesn’t have one but will use one of mine when she comes to visit.
It is a good thing teaching kids at a young age (as most of us were) as it teaches them to respect them. It’s just a pity that the funds spoilt it for all.
