Guns & Little Kids

[sbryant]

Before I go into my next bit which you can read if you wish, or not if you don't, let me say, When I was 5 I started going to my Dad's (he and my mom were divorced), he had guns, she didn't. From very early in life he and my other brothers taught me what they were, what they were for, the do's don'ts and the 2 main rules: Never point a gun (loaded or unloaded) at anyone or anything unless you intend to use it. Always keep it on safe until ready to use it. And I wasn't allowed to ever have acces to the gun when no one was present, though at the time it was kept behind the door...unloaded of course.
Obviously everyone has different views on the important stuff, but from that early age, I learned to shoot a 22 pump browning, and a colt 22 peacemaker. When I went home, I knew about these things, they weren't "secret" and there was no need for me to share with my mom....who would have been ok with it anyway. As I grew, I got on to bigger things, and the first double barrel I shot at about 10 or so, I didn't hold properly and it kicked it's way out of my arms and onto the ground. Another lesson learned. All this has stayed with me, along with the responsibilities and even "respect" of such things that one must have as it all fits together.
From my own experience feel that "secrecy" is unhealthy... Obviously there are certain stages for certain ages... and at one time, (don't know if they still do), they taught in school hunter safety education course and now days if you've not had the class you aren't supposed to be allowed to buy ammo, but I don't think it's enforced.
Either way, I wish you all luck with this one, especially with society as it is... but I do agree that you shouldn't have to be "afraid" to teach your children... and if I had children of my own I would feel it was my responsibility to ensure they knew and learned.
Many tragic accidents I've heard about, known of, and read about have come from people and/or children not being aware, or not being taught...

I personally can't recommend what to do with young children but my wife's kids (teens) hate guns and anything to do with them, one saw a surefire catalog with just pictures of the good ol mp5's and m16's and was very bothered at 16 years of age. Needless to say I was told off for having the book but my answer was, I see nothing wrong with it, it's something I'm used to, and it's only a book... and it's mine. It was her choice to get into my stuff to look at it, but by no means am I going to get rid of it just because. Don't know what the rest of you think of this situation but I wasn't amused.... and if I'd made any mistakes it was coming over here to live with a ready made family set in their ways, especially since they weren't willing to respect my beliefs, opinions and allow me to be me and accept me as is.

[LCSO264]

I kind of agree with Sbryant. I too was introduced to firearms at a very young age, probably around 5 years old. I started shooting an old bolt action .22 rifle that my dad's dad gave him when he was young. Moved onto a Ruger 10/22 and .22 pistols. My uncle has been into collecting firearms for as long as I've been alive, and he has always had ALOT of firarms (I can probably thank him for my sickness/firearms collecting). My brother (younger), Dad, and uncle spent many hours together, needless to say, I was exposed to a wide variety of firearms as a kid. My brother and I were around WAY more firearms than any of our friends. We too were taught the absolutely necessary rules of firearms. like Sbryant said, never point a firearm at something you are not willing to KILL, and always keep the weapon in a safe condition until you are ready to aim and KILL what you aim at, always treat all firearms as if they are loaded (I could go on and on). Whatever you do, MAKE SURE you have a secure place to store your handgun when it is not on your hip.

Anyway, I don't think there is any reason for concealed carry to be a big secret. I carry a handgun everywhere I go, my wife knows, and she knows what to do when I tell her to grab the kids and get away from me. My kids know I carry a handgun, although they are still a bit young to really understand it. For me it is easy, but it is part of my job to carry a handgun, and I tend to see things pretty black and white.

Ultimately, this is a decision you have to make, I don't know your situation, the community you live in (political climate), or what your family thinks about firearms. I just don't think carrying a handgun is something you should keep secret from your family, it may be very important for them to know.

[USMCMP5A3]

It is not a big secret, it is to prevent the, "from the mouth of babes" situation. Such as waiting in line at the supermarket and then have your 4 year old lift your shirt up and show twenty people in line your sidearm and say "see my daddy has a gun"!!!!!
Once the kids are old enough it is not as big deal to let them know. However I do feel it is better left unsaid. The only concern is the concealed carry and letting young kids know you have it. They would never tell someone to cause harm or embarrassment. They may however say something when you may need it most. During a self-protection scenario when you want the element of surprise. But it could be lost when little Suzie says, “stay away my daddy has a gun”. I am not looking to get into a gunfight or for a situation to occur where as I may need to defend myself. But I try to prepare for any and all situations I may be faced with.


I do not argue that our children need to be exposed to this wonderful sport. I do not believe they should be denied the opportunity to shoot my guns. I do not believe that our children do not need to hunt. My opinion is quite the opposite. We need to expose our children to the positive side of gun ownership. I feel bad forthe man who is shunned for even having a Surefire catalog lying about. I feel bad that children are suspended from school for drawings. But let us keep in mind that not so long ago many hunters would bring their shotguns to school and put them in their lockers so they could hunt for a few hours before nightfall. This is tragic. The stats came out that there are hundreds of thousands less over the past few years that have kept up their hunting license. If we do not enlighten future generations of the need and the right to own firearms we will all loose out. You may never see the day you can give your HK collection to your grandson or grand daughter. Not only because they may not be interested in it but they may be illegal to own.

[superdav]

I have 4 girls age 9 months to 14 and I ALWAYS carry, they have never said a word in public about it. Educate them,Educate them,Educate them, guns have always been a part of my life my dad had so many when we were kids we had them under our beds unloaded of course, we did not dare touch them with out him and shot them all the time when my dad had the time to take us. I keep mine locked and unloade except for the USPC .45 that i carry religiously. My kids watch Eddie Eagle and have been regularly quizzed on what to do around guns. The carry gun has become as normal as my wifes purse and no mention is made of it.

[Tactical Shooter]

I totally agree with USMCMP5A3. I have had CCW in Detroit for business reasons since I was 18 and I am 53 now. The men in my family hunt and fish in Northern Michigan and we were taught gun safety principles. You bring a loaded shotgun or rifle into the cabin after a hunt...well...let's just say , "God help you". My attitude has always been "concealed carry" is exactly that. Your situational awareness is what really protects you and your family, the weapon is just a tool. No one knew when I was carrying. Not even my wife and certainly not my youngsters. Do not confuse teaching your kids gun safety with your particular concealed carry needs. They both are important and should be considered realistically and separately.

Exactly - do not confuse teaching gun safety with the "concealed" aspect of carry. Concealed means concealed. I go out with the family often while armed. I am just careful not to hug the kids, bend over to pick things up etc. that might reveal the pistol. It is not that I lie to my wife and kids about the guns - my kid repeats the mantra "guns are not toys" constantly - it's just that the only person who knows that you are carrying should be you.

Also, I am a big fan of the idea that a .25 in your pocket is better than a .45 in the safe. Carry something appropriate for the season/clothing etc but the important thing is to carry. If you carry a gun, carry extra ammo, a small light (Surefire Executive rocks) and a knife.

[Reoze]

Unfortunatly I don't quite see it this way.

If you show a child somthing, then tell them they can never touch it without you, the first thing alot of them will do, is go find it and touch it.

It's human nature, "don't push that button" ok, then they push it.

When somone tells you NOT to do somthing, you want to know why, and 2 year olds don't quite understand what's wrong with anything. It really depends on the child but the vast majority of them do not listen, as much as their parents love to believe they have the perfect children (no offense) they are not.


With that said I was brought up around guns, I've been shooting since I was 5, and I speak from experience when my father said "do not touch these without me here" I didn't listen to a word he said, But I also handled them in a safe manner.

[rext]

how many toys do your kids have laying around that they dont play with after the first day?Same deal,not that guns are toys, but the novelty wears off after its been seen and handled.Then its no big deal.

[neo2077]

I agree with everyone, I also agree with Reoze, I have 2, boy and a girl as usual the boy grew up hunting with me, he knows what firearms can and can't do, he has been shooting and learning as he grew up, it was the male thing to do. For girls is natural to be curious and don't matter how many times I have taken them both out, my girl is definately more curious. She needed constant reminders about firearm safety and what firearms can do(not in a graphic way) although at age 5 now she shoots her borthers 22 and enjoys plinking and she finally knows what firearms are for. I definately will suggest that you remind her cconstantly about what you do, and for what, gun safety is never to early to teach it. If it was me I had every school teach firearm safety in first grade.

Nevertheless It took about 2-3 years for my daughter to stop and assimilate the information, she stoped telling me if I was carring a pistol or what it was for, again it was way different with my boy, he knew I carry and for what purpose, he and plays along. Again females and specially girls are more curious and that is their nature.

[sfguard]

I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl myself and she knows what Daddies gun is and that it is not a toy. Do not try to hide it from them that only sparks curiousity even in adults. My little girl has never said anything to anyone about me having it on me. Just be sure to have a serious talk and place emphasis on how important it is in words a 2 year old can understand.

Don't use words like kill they don't understand that. Instead use hurt or hurt bad they do understand that. keep it as simple as possible but don't try to hide it from them. But...do use a safe when you are not going to carry the pistol.

[vanderson]

My 14 month old plays with my USP .45 Full Size all the time, dont worry there is no bullets in it. He likes to run around with it, i doubt he knows what it is.