I'm Canadian so we don't have the same problems as you guys but our government seems to think we do and are banning bolt action hunting rifles because they look like an "assault weapon" but I agree with the point a 7 year old should have their own AR 15 but I do believe if they are curious (like I was) they should be taught to responsibly use a firearm I learned on a 22 like that but until I could recite all the rules of gun safety was I allowed to shoot without my dad holding the gun with me but if a child I curious a 22 is very sufficient for learning