i would be a horribly irresponsible parent if i left a loaded gun someplace where any of them could get it.
Your kids and their friends are in and out of YOUR bedroom?
Interesting, I grew up with BOTH PARENTS having firearms AND carry permits. When they didn't have their guns on their person THEY LEFT THEM OUT IN FULL VIEW ON THE NIGHTSTAND... LOADED.
My older brother also had several fire arms AND a carry permit.
I remember the day when my mother and father showed us (all three us kids) their pistols. My father told us to hold both guns. I was TERRIFIED. My father showed me that both guns were empty (unloaded) then told me to hold both weapons. He next said this is your mothers and this is my gun. You are never EVER to touch, handle, or come near either. If you do touch them, they will most likely kill you and/or anyone else in the room. Am I clear?
I was a child (don't think I was much older than 10). This made my brother bout 12 and my sister 7.
NONE OF US EVER EVER EVER FELT THE NEED TO GO ANYWHERE NEAR EITHER GUN. Hell, I was afraid to pick up my mother's handbag and hand it to her because I knew that there was most likely a loaded gun in it.
Now, if the three of us were parented responsibly enough to:
1. Know not to touch their parent's firearms EVER for any reason.
2. Know not to play or go into our parent's bedroom - NEVER would we think to bring company in their.
Then why on EARTH would I be less able to parent my children any differently?... especially in light of the fact that my youngest child is 12?
Hell, I used to refuse to dust my father's nightstand for the simple fact that the gun was setting there.
I have cousins who live on farms, all of them can shoot shotguns and rifles NEVER has anyone in my family or in any village that my family lives *accidentally* shot a human being, or even an animal. If they picked up that firearm, it was to kill whatever the target was.
Guns are like abortions. If you are against them, then just don't get them.
Interesting SEVERAL WOMEN have posted on this thread about the firearms they have, and one has indicated by the nature of her posting that she has a carry permit as well, or at least knows women that carry.... but "some are afraid because of listening to my husband and I post"?
You gotta be kiddin me.
Putting a loaded gun on my nightstand is not "leaving a gun" laying around. You got no business in my bedroom unless I've invited you in there. PERIOD... I don't care how old/young you are.
If I have company (like need2) and his children again then OF COURSE I will make necessary changes because I know that his children, though sweethearts and very wellbehaved are simply too young to understand the rammifications of playing with a dangerous weapon.
Other than that, I don't think that my TEEN-AGERS will be playing with any 4 year olds. To make such an arguement is silly.
My comments are not directed towards any one person. There is no need for anyone to take offense or feel singled-out.
As I said, if you don't want a gun then goodness sakes DONT GET ONE.
If you do - then you had damned well better be 100%comfortable and knowledgeable otherwise, yea, you are a statistic waiting to happen and most likely more of a liability than a random dope fiend that might target my house in my neighborhood looking for shit to steal to get your next fix.
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The men were both exmilitary (my husband hasn't shot in over 15 years), our host had 20 years in military but has MANY firearms and our hostess had been taught to (and shot regularly) since she was a little girl. She was an AWESOME shot.
I would have to care first in order to hat.
