What a great read. I was brought up around firearms and my first was a trusty .22 calibre bolt action rifle. I also had a 12 gauge Pump (which is now illegal). Dad owned a very old (1920's) double barrel 12 gauge which would throw your shoulder 4 metres back with every shot. We were always shown how to handle and shoot safely and guns were swiftly removed if there was even a hint of tom-foolery when using them.
Spotlight hunting was always a highlight of the year for me, though I wasn't allowed to get into that until I was much older. Guns are dangerous when used by those who have no idea what they are doing. not many kids get to experience shooting a gun nowadays.