I think eight is too young for any child to be handling a gun, I don't care if they're male or female. It's a grave responsibility, and I think an eight year old is not mature enough to understand the potential consequences.
Depends on what part of the country you're talking about. In some areas, they start marrying at 8 (even if it's to their own sibling) so why not start 'em off right and teach them to shoot something that is living?
