the young, rural, teenagers i have had the privilege to watch as they mature into young adults who have participated in BSA's shooting sports activities beginning at 13, are, for the most part, crack shots with rifles as they have been hunting for several years prior to participating in 'formalized' shooting activities.
fortunately, the young men, if they move to venturing and with parental consent, can shoot up to but not including automatic firearms, including pistols.
point of the post and it may because of the rural environment, i have not heard any stories where these young men or their associates, in dealing with life's stressors, ever picked up a handgun or other firearm to resolve the stressor.
of course those young adults jimmy123 may be referring to, might be urban youth who lack good role models...
ipse