The most important safety rules to follow are:

• Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond.
• Eye protection must be worn by shooters and spectators.

BB guns and pellet guns have been around for centuries -- an air gun was actually carried on the Lewis and Clark expedition, for example. For generations, they have been used as a first step in teaching young people gun safety and basic marksmanship. But the uses of the guns have grown, too. NRA and several major youth groups such as 4-H, the Boy Scouts, Junior ROTC, the American Legion, the U.S. Jaycees, the National Guard and others conduct BB gun and pellet gun programs either at recreational or national championship levels. In all, more than 2.2 million youngsters take part in supervised air gun programs nationwide.

Air guns are very popular with adults for recreational shooting as well, and in more advanced competitions. There are men's and women's air gun events in the Olympics, and American Nancy Johnson won a gold medal in women's air rifle in Sydney. Air rifle is part of the NCAA Rifle Championships, and air pistol is part of NRA's Intercollegiate Pistol Championships, two tournaments that showcase some of America's finest young marksmen. The NRA also holds an annual Air Gun Team Championship and Training Summit, usually during the second week in July, in different locations in the U.S. every year.

A safe air gun range is easy to set up in a backyard or basement; sound issues are non-existent and cost of equipment is minimal. NRA's 50-page Neighborhood Air Gun Program is an ideal source of information for helping youngsters get started in air gun shooting safely and responsibly. For your copy, click here to order from the NRA Program Materials Center,