In New South Wales, laws that restrict young people from using air rifles at shooting ranges are being targeted by the small but powerful Shooters Party.

It will introduce what it says are common sense amendments to the next sittings of Parliament to allow kids under 12 to go shooting with their families.

But the Coalition for Gun Control says it is a dangerous scenario and has accused the gun lobby group of trying to recruit young people.

Roy Smith from the Shooters Party says many shooting families would like to see children under 12 with a gun.

"[We've] got lots of families who shoot together as a sport - adults and juniors - and we've had a significant number of people asking us to remove the age restrictions so that younger siblings can shoot air rifles alongside their older brothers and sisters," he said.

Mr Smith says the restrictions in NSW are nonsense and he is trying to change the law so that kids under 12 can use their rifles under adult supervision at target ranges.

"There's a restriction that really only applies in some states of Australia, not all states," he said.

"Most states have legislation allowing juniors to shoot on approved shooting ranges and the legislation we have in Australia, with respect to air rifles, is probably unique around the world."

The private members bill will be introduced at the next sittings of NSW Parliament. Mr Smith says he is confident he will get the support of the Government and Opposition.

"We're talking about juniors receiving instructions by a licensed adult on an approved target range," he said.

"There's absolutely no risk whatsoever to anyone within the community, and in fact the benefits are significant because we're getting juniors and we're teaching them sensibility and responsibility at an early age, rather than waiting until they get an opportunity or try to find an opportunity to do something the wrong way."

'Dangerous and absurd'

But Mr Smith's argument concerns the Coalition for Gun Control's Samantha Lee. She says the move is dangerous and absurd.

"Young people in New South Wales, they can't drive a car until they're 16, they can't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes until they're 18 and it's absurd to think that they may be able to use a firearm when they're 10 years of age," she said.

"When you think of air rifles, they're kind of lighter firearms, it's a bit like introducing young people to light cigarettes and hoping they'll move on to full strength cigarettes in the long-term.

"Martin Bryant, the perpetrator or the Port Arthur massacre, began training with air rifles and then moved onto semi-automatic firearms and this is our concern with introducing young people to firearms at such an early age."

Mr Smith rejects that criticism.

"That shows the unrealistic nature and stupidity of these people on just how far they will go in an attempt to paint responsible law abiding firearm owners as being irresponsible and I'm sure most people in the community will see this in a sensible light," he said.

NSW Police Minister Michael Daley was unavailable for an interview but in a statement, he said the Government is working through the complex and detailed policy ideas.

He says it is important to strike the right balance between allowing for responsible shooting sports and making sure that young people are strictly supervised on shooting ranges.

The Shooting Party's numbers in the Upper House of Parliament allow the NSW Labor Government to stay in power.

And NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the party's campaign is part of a bigger agenda.

She says it is in a strong position to negotiate with the NSW Government, which needs its support for key legislation.

"I remain concerned that the latest push from the Shooters MPs to weaken gun control measures that make it easier for young people to shoot in New South Wales could be part of their wider agenda," she said.

"Which is they get a win, in return if the Government grants that, they will then work with the Government on passing unpopular legislation."