For rural folks, what was the usual progression of firearm ownership for kids?

My parents gave me my first air rifle at age 8.
They gave me my first BB gun at age 10
I got a .22 rifle at age 12 because (sit down before you read the rest of this sentence) the guns supplied at the school rifle range were too heavy for me. We either used theirs or brought our own guns to school on days we had shooting. We could also keep them in our lockers if we wanted.
Along the way it was understood if I misbehaved or mishandled the guns in any way they would be taken away for a year. I behaved.
This was the normal progression. One friend got a Marlin 37 .22 and another got a pump .22. Both had tubular magazines that held about 20 shots – tremendous firepower for 13 year old boys. When we went out to “the pit” to play, they would quickly use up their ammo. I was careful so a box of 50 rounds would last me a few days.
There was never any trouble. We never hurt anyone or damaged property.
I got my first shotgun when I was in my early 20s – a Remington LT 20 with interchangeable barrels.
This region in New York has recently introduced special days for Youth hunting for 12–14 year olds and their parents so some kids are getting their own downsized shotguns, usually .410 gauge. There have been no accidents.

What was the progression in your area? Were there any problems?
Do you think ownership taught you to act responsibility or did our parents give them to us because we already were responsible and they trusted us?
Please give us a rough idea of where you grew up.