THE Gun Thread

[Spooky]

Each of those kids can shoot and has an idea of what's theirs in that collection.  I cant remember not knowing how to shoot and I can't remember not having "my guns".  Honestly, I'd be less concerned with the kids than the adults.  Gun safety is a matter of practical necessity if you don't want to be shot in your sleep, on accident, by children.  It's only a thing to flaunt when you need to make a political point.  They're just things to the kids.

Not always. If mom or dad are constantly going, "These things are awesome", and treating the objects like stalkers treat celebrities, some kids are going to become curious and want to play with them not realizing they are in reality, potentially deadly. It isn't always enough to simply tell a kid "don't touch these outside my presence." I was a kid myself too, and even outside the issue of firearms, sometimes when my parents told me not to do something, I did it anyway. 

No, guns shouldn't be treated as "just things". Far too often you hear firearm cultists argue, "A firearm cannot magically jump off the table and fire itself". That is true, but is a convenient dodge for them to avoid facing the fact you should treat the firearm as if it could fire itself. People who stupidly think "I've handled firearms countless times, and nothing bad has ever happened to me." That is lazy thinking and dangerous thinking. It only takes one time to make a mistake, and guns do not have a rewind button. Once you pull the trigger on a loaded gun, you cannot take it back. People who stupidly think nothing bad will ever happen to them, are as dangerous to themselves and others like a drunk driver thinks they will never get into a crash or injure or kill anyone, by accident. Same thing there. It only takes one time. 

I get what you are saying Nudger but it isn't as simple as you'd like to think. Some kids if you say, "they are just things" will treat them as "just things" and end up also thinking nothing bad could happen. I would however agree that ,in any case , the parents are ultimately responsible if things go south.

I believe in removing the mysticism that some things have. My daughter is 3, will be 4 in October. She sees me drink bourbon from time to time. Alcohol isn’t this “terrible thing you should avoid” (didn’t work when I was a teen), but a facet of our existence. How can she see what moderation and proper use is without it being demonstrated?

I see both your points. To that end she will see firearms as what they are, because she will see me properly handling them. That said, I’m the only one in the house with access to either safe. 

Responsible people raise responsible children.  But access is still denied until the time is right.