Caddo Parish, Louisiana Sheriff Steve Prator has a program in place to teach kids with guns, ages 8 to 12, how to shoot and how to do so safely.

Prator makes it clear that he doesn't encourage parents to give guns to their kids, but his program is there to make shooting safe for those who do.

As would be expected, gun grabbers are up in arms over the program and have accused Prator of trying to "create a tiny militia." This is an accusation Prator rejects out of hand as "ridiculous."

Breitbart News had a chance to speak with Prator about his program earlier today:

I developed this course about five years ago when I realized we have so many children in our rural areas that get a .22 or small caliber shotgun but have never had training with it. The young person comes with their parent or guardian, and we teach the young person and the adult gun safety: how to make sure the gun is unloaded, how to clean it, and how to shoot it.

They have law enforcement personnel with them throughout the training.

As I always stress, we don't encourage parents to give guns to their kids. But if they do, we want to make it safe and enjoyable. 

Sheriff Prator says hundreds of kids have gone through the program, and "the classes are always full."

Photo credit: Office of Judge Scott Crichton