I am a totally new user and just ran across this thread started by Blue and was amazed how many people there are who pretty much agree with at least some of what he is saying. I was taught firearms saftey by my dad who brought us home a deer every winter and bought my sister and I a .22 rifle when we were ages 7 (me) and 10. I agree with what you said about teaching children the correct way of handling situations... all except how to handle a real gun.. or at least to show them it is NOT a toy. One way some friends of ours did that was to shoot a shotgun into a watermelon. It makes an impression. It won't make the kid afraid unless that is what your intention is, but it does get their attention.