Taking after his stepdad! Bristol Palin's Marine husband Dakota Meyer says he 'couldn't be prouder' of his eight-year-old stepson Tripp as he shares a photo of the boy aiming a toy ASSAULT RIFLE 

  • The 28-year-old Medal of Honor winner took to Instagram on Sunday to post a snapshot of Tripp playing with the toy gun in the foyer of their home
  • In the snapshot, the little boy is decked out in camouflage and carrying a backpack with another toy weapon inside of it 
  • Some commenters speculated that Tripp may grow up and join the US Marine Corps just like his stepfather
  • Tripp is Bristol's only child with ex Levi Johnston; she and Dakota also have a one-year-old daughter Sailor Grace, and are expecting a second baby this spring

By Erica Tempesta For Dailymail.com

Published: 15:01 EST, 30 January 2017 | Updated: 15:50 EST, 30 January 2017

Bristol Palin's husband Dakota Meyer is a proud veteran of the US Marine Corps, and the Medal of Honor winner is thrilled to see that his new stepson may one day follow in his footsteps.

The 28-year-old took to his Instagram page on Sunday to share a photo of eight-year-old Tripp carefully taking aim with a toy assault rifle while decked out in a camouflage hat and sweatshirt.

'I couldn't be prouder to be his stepdad!' Dakota captioned the image of Tripp, Bristol's only child with her ex-fiance Levi Johnston. 

Proud stepfather: Bristol Palin's husband Dakota Meyer took to his Instagram page on Sunday to post a snapshot of his stepson Tripp playing with a toy gun in the foyer of their home

Just like his stepfather: While the Marine noted that he 'couldn't be prouder', one commenter said that the eight-year-old looked like a 'future soldier' 

In the snapshot, Tripp is holding the toy with two hands as he peers through the gun's scope in the foyer of their home in Wasilla, Alaska.

Bristol's only son is wearing a camouflage hat and sweatshirt, while carrying a backpack that is holding another toy rifle.

Bristol and Dakota are firm believers in the right to bear arms, and many of his 98,000 Instagram agree with their beliefs. 

'He looks like a mini army ranger!' Brian McAndrew wrote, and Jess Holley said Tripp is a 'future marine'.

Baby on the way! Bristol is expecting her third child — her second with Dakota — this spring 

Taking aim: Bristol posted a photo of her son Tripp, then seven, aiming what looked to be a small caliber single shooter in July 

'He's got a great example,' she added.

Some of the commenters think it is great to 'start them young', and plenty of other parents noted that their children are always playing with Nerf Blasters too. 

And one man took aim at Dakota by saying that he should be teaching Tripp how to use a real gun.

'Nerf guns really?? Give him some real guns!! [sic]' Jason Eckert wrote. 

Interestingly, some took slight offence to Dakota stating that he was Tripp's stepfather. 

Happy as can be: Pregnant Bristol was over the moon for the new pregnancy pillow Dakota and Tripp got her last week 

How sweet! Tripp, her only child with her ex-fiance Levi Johnson, also wrote her a sweet note calling her the 'best mom ever', and Dakota gave her a dozen roses

'Just say dad — it will make him feel better!' Jody Madden wrote. 'I say that as a kid who was not the birth child. Treat him like your son — love him like your son, talk to him and about him like he's yours — because he is!' 

However, it's very possible that Dakota was just being respectful to Tripp's father Levi, as it is clear he and his stepson have a very close relationship. 

Last month, Dakota surprised the boy by gifting him his first snowmobile for his eighth birthday, and back in July he was presumably there when Bristol gave Tripp a shooting lesson. 

The then-seven-year-old student and his mom were both properly outfitted in protective eyewear and electronic ear muffs for their morning together in the photo that she shared on Instagram. 

'Family': Bristol shared this photo of her and Dakota with Tripp and their daughter Sailor Grace earlier this month 

Too cute! Bristol posted a photof of Dakota holding their one-year-old daughter in a basket filled with laundry at the start of January 

In the snapshot, Bristol is standing behind Tripp and keeping an eye on the boy as he practiced his aim in an Alaskan field.

'#trapper #safetyfirst #teachingthemyoung,' Bristol wrote on the post, though it was not clear if Tripp was using an actual firearm such as a small caliber single shooter or a device that does not discharge bullets for practice and safety purposes. 

Bristol and Dakota, who have a one-year-old daughter named Sailor Grace together, are expecting their second child this spring. 

All smiles: Bristol announced last month that she is expecting her third child this spring 

Last week, Bristol took to Instagram to show off the gifts Dakota and Tripp had gotten her.

'My son and husband always making me feel like a princess after a long day of work, so excited about this pregnancy pillow,' she captioned a collage of three images. 

The top photo sees the mother-of-two lying on her new pregnancy pillow while Tripp poses behind her; however, that wasn't the only special treatment she had received. 

Tripp had written her a sweet note calling her the 'best mom ever' and left it on her coffeemaker where she would see it in the morning. 

Bristol was also gifted a dozen roses featuring one white rose among the red from Dakota, who is clearly excited to welcome his second child with his wife.

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