I grew up in the suburbs just outside of the city of Philadelphia. There was no hunting in our county; the population density kinda prohibited it.
I went to a day camp when I was in the 10-12 age range. We had Rifle. .22 rifles, paper targets, etc. The counselor one summer was a Vietnam veteran. ( This would have been 1972, 1973- the war was still active ). I’ll never forget he brought in his pistol. It was a… .45? Something. And he brought live rounds. He let each of us lay down, as we did with the .22 rifles, and take one shot with the pistol. He told us to hold it VERY firmly.
I don’t remember it flying out of anyone’s hand but my god that thing recoiled and scared the crap out of me. I do believe I’ve not shot a gun since. I’m 62. And pretty anti-gun…
More rural and upcountry counties where hunting was prevalent? No doubt there were gun clubs.