[Spot77]

I have a couple of handguns, locked in a digital safe in my bedroom. I also have two kids, ages 6 and 3. Both kids have been taught to never touch the safe, and should they EVER see it open for any reason, to get a grown up immediately (I can't think of any reason why or how that could happen, but they needed to learn that anyway).

Now, the kids know to stay away, but they don't know why yet. They do not know that we have guns. My daughter knows a little about gun safety; i.e. don't EVER touch one if you see one. You know, the usual stuff that kids are taught in school.

But when, and how do I tell tem what's in the safe? I don't live in a very "gun friendly" area, and my wife is NOT into guns at all, although she does go to the range with me once in a while.

I would really appreciate some advice from THR'ers who have been through this with their children.

And of course, any advice from non-parents is greatly appreciated.

[Logistar]

It probably depends on your exact situation and how disciplined your kids are. I never avoided telling or showing my kids. They grew up to know that Dad has guns. Dad has tennis raquets... it was no big deal.

They could see my guns and I would educate them as they asked. They are basically grown now and both are proficient with handguns and rifles.

My opinion is that if you "hide" them or make them out to be some secret... they will eventually figure it out and then they will be hell bent on "checking them out" while you aren't around.

Yes, I did keep them inaccessible (and I explained that too when asked). I never once worried that they'd try to gain access to my guns,,,, no more than they would grab the keys to my car and try and drive it.

I am sure there will be excellent advice forthcoming.

Stay safe! (And keep your family safe too!)

Logistar

[hoppinglark]

I think the NRA has a guide about that subject.


Although I'm young and don't have kids....
When you know the time is right....
Start with Eddie Eagle video , (it was $10 back in 1998) and then talk to them straightforward.

You could order Brasco Buddies from the JPFO and cut some of the pages out and use them too.

Talk about alot of things, Matches, Knives and Guns....Not good or bad but tools to do things...

[JeepDriver]

A close friend has a 9 yr old Daughter and a 7 yr old son. He has a small collection of different guns that he has never hidden from the kids. He just bought his son a Red Ryder BB gun last Christmas. He keeps it locked away with all the other guns. When Christian (son) ask to go out shooting Doug gets the BB gun out and takes him shooting. We've taken him out with us when we shoot 22's and let him shoot.He went hunting with us once last season, matter of fact he spotted deer Doug didn't even see. That boy won't touch a gun until Doug gives him permission.

[Spot77]

[My opinion is that if you "hide" them or make them out to be some secret... they will eventually figure it out and then they will be hell bent on "checking them out" while you aren't around.]

Yeah, I have always STRONGLY supported this idea. Even long before I was a gun owner, I believed education takes the mystery out of guns to children.

But it seems really hard to practice what I preach. I'll have to have a loooooong talk with my wife so we can come to an agreement about this. I think she's a bit embarrased by owning guns since she's been such a strong anti all her life. And I think she's afraid of our kids telling their friends (well not so much our THREE year old, yet!), although I'm not sure why.

Thanks for the info so far guys. I'm still looking forward to what everybody has to say.

[Standing Wolf]

Take your kids to the range. Buy them a BB gun. Introduce them. Get them started.

Keeping and bearing arms is something to be proud of and pass on to the next generation.

[Dave R]

What I did...

When the kid started playing with toy guns/squirt guns, I started teaching him about the 4 rules. The context was, here's how you handle real guns. When he could deal with them, I took him shooting.

[anapex]

Seeing as how I grew up with hunting and general plinking I've tried to be very open with my two sons. Now granted They are only 2 and a half and 1 but I figure I better start on them that guns are ok as soon as possible before someone else tells them they aren't. Whenever I'm cleaning out any of them my oldest will ask what I'm doing and ask what different things are. So I try to have him learn about them while also trying to instill the 4 major rules in him(albeit slowly). So far he's learned that he should only shoot animals, which for now (since he is only 2 1/2) is good enough for me.

[arinvolvo]

Only secrets are mysterious.

Kids will go out of their way to solve their own personal mysteries.

Show them the guns, make an offer to them...If they EVER want to see or touch one of daddy's guns, ask, and you will drop WHATEVER you are doing, no matter what, and show them.

And when they get old enough, you will take them shooting any time they ask, within one week or less from the time they ask.

All of this in exchange for NEVER touching a gun when daddy is not a round, and for never telling their friends about daddy's guns.

Once a child is shown, and allowed to touch a gun, the mystery is gone, and they are on to the next thing, like "what is in the big jar on top of the fridge".

I am pretty young still, and have no kids...However, this is how my dad had done it for me, it is what I have done for my little sister, and what I will do for MY kids.

[techmike]

I have 2- 11 yo's and one 5yo. I always keep the guns locked up however. If thay want to look, touch, shoot, they only have to say the word, The 4 rules are second nature to the older two and the lil' one is learning quick. There are no "toy guns" at our house. All guns are treated real weather they fire .45 acp or shoot water or caps...the 4 rules always apply.

[4v50 Gary]

Destroy the mystique. Show it to them and offer to let them see it anytime they want. No mystique, no attraction. Be sure you tell them not to say anything to anyone about it though.

[Nick96]

I didn't get concerned about teaching them anything about guns until they were old enough to go to friends houses on their own (maybe 1st or 2nd grade). Mine were secured. If they even knew they existed they were kept "inaccessable &/or inoperable" to anyone that may get to them (regardless of age). My greatest concern was them coming in contact with one at someone elses house.

I remember a few times as a child going to another kids house and them pulling open a drawer and showing me a gun. Thankfully we had the good sence to leave them alone. So at first it was the very basic instruction - never touch it - if you see one come straight home & tell Mom or Dad - you won't be in trouble.

As they showed more interest in them (maybe around 8 to 10 years old or so), I'd let them see them - touch them - explained how they worked. My kids never did show much interest in them. In fact they never shot "a real one" until their early teens. Occassionally I'd drag out my old BB gun and we'd shoot it when they were younger - but they'd get pretty bored with it after a short while.

They are now in their early 20's. We go shooting occassionally, but they really aren't "into" guns - and I don't try to push it on them. They enjoy it for a couple of hours and that's about it. Dispite this apparent lack of interest though, they seem to be more knowledgable than their peers about them - especially safe handling. To this day though, my guns stay "inaccessable &/or inoperable" to anyone that may get to them (regardless of age).

[Logistar]

When my kids were growing up I decided it was important that they were computer literate. I introduced my daughter to the computer, showed her all I could. She seemed bored and to this day is practically computer illiterate.

Meanwhile my son (seeing me show his 4 year older sister how to use the computer) asked if I would show him. The computer was a big investment for me at the time and I thought that he might break it so I told him he was too young and I would show him when he got older.

To make a long story short, he would sneak in and play with it anyway. - probably because he was curious about the mysterious forbidden computer.

That's kinda my point. Let them see it and teach them about it and they are less likely to "play" with it. I feel bad now about turning my son down.

(Of course my son is now working as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and my Daughter doesn't have a job!:rolleyes: :D)

[sm]

Eddie EAgle Video and popcorn.
Water pistol and 4 rules
No secrets, anytime allow to ask questions.
BB guns, take them out

Take to range and meet others that shoot--dispels that garbage in school about only 'bad men" gangs, thugs, etc use guns. Especially if a kids fun shoot is going on. Lemonade, hot dogs fun and even if the kids only shoot a BBgun or a 22lr...it teaches by example. We always had a fun but serious 4 rules /Eddie Eagle/ question and answer part too. Warning- we adults had more fun and warm fuzzy's watching kids learn and shoot. ;)

[10-Ring]

I told my son not too long after he asked for his first toy gun. I also told him that if he ever wanted to touch my guns to just ask & we'd handle them together. Over the years, he's asked a few times and never once tried to get into them w/o me.
He also knew that if he ever came across an unattended, unlocked firearm at a friends house, to leave that house.

[Majic]

I can't even count the number of the "why this or what's that" questions my son asked about guns when he was 3. He would go to the range with me and his job was to wipe the guns down after I cleaned them. I had to do it again, but he was happy. By the time he was 6 he was hunting squirrels with me using his .22lr Marlin that I had cut the stock down for him.
He was always exposed to firearms so I started teaching him as soon as he showed interest. Every child is different, but when they show interest and began to learn and follow rules I think they are ready for introduction to firearms.

[RustyHammer]

I too, side with the education them while they're young crowd.

I have a 6 and 4 year old. They know about guns and the 6 year old has held them and I have shown him how to use the scope, iron sites and to not touch them EVER unless I'm around, never "sweep" anyone with it, never touch the trigger, etc. He also knows the difference between empty shells and loaded cartridges and to tell me if he ever sees a gun or cartridge ... at home or some other place. The 4 year old is a step or two behind that, because of his age and has less of an interest at this point.

We do not buy them "real looking" toy guns, however, they do have Super Soakers and several other funky colored squirt guns. Sounds kind of harsh, but I don't want them accidently mistaking them for the real thing. We also have them trained to know that "Daddy doesn't any TOY guns". Sounds kind of strange, probably, but it seems to work with them ... and they're sort of proud of that.

I did have a case of a neighbor boy (5 or 6) finding a stripped down M1 Garand in my closet (was refinishing stock) .. trigger assembly was removed, bolt out, etc. and telling his parents about it. They are "anti's" .. oh well. Some people just don't get it.

Another note is to keep ammo and guns in separate locations. I find I sleep easier at night knowing that that is the case.

I have to admit, I'm a bit unsure of "where to go from here" myself regarding them, although, I do have a BB Gun put away for them already.

Rusty

[Mastrogiacomo]

It kind of like Italians and wine. Italians serve their children a little wine at meals (just a taste really) and what the experience does is take the grown up mystery out of it. Italy has a very low rate of drinking among kids and adults -- probably for this reason. I think if you sat down with them, showed the guns, let them hold them (empty of course...;) ) and talk to them about the dangers of guns -- it'll take the mystery out of this too. You'll probably find that once they've had a chance to handle them and ask questions -- their curiousity will be satisfied.

[rappa]

My nephews are 3 and 6. Last father's day weekend I was showing my stuff (G19, P229, 870) to my dad and the boys walked in. I asked them if they knew what they are and what to do if they see them. The older one answered, "Guns. Don't touch it. Get an adult." I asked them again and this time they both answered, "Guns. Don't touch it. Get an adult." Then older one looked at me like I was a dumb@$$ for insulting his intelligence by asking again (kids gotta love 'em)! Looks like my dad already educated them. :D
They asked if they could hold them. I let both of them hold the 870 and G19 (unloaded of course and w\my dad's hands on supervision). My dad has a pretty extensive collection of WW2 firearms and the boys spend weekends at their house. The boys know the deal. IMHO, the sooner you tell them what the score is, the better. Kids are a curious and innovative lot! Better to 'unravel the mystery' and educate 'em now. Who knows, they might think 'big deal' and never go near the safe anyway b\c they like their Stars Wars laser blaster better then your SIG, Glock, Kimber, 1911 or whatever you have in there. Just my .02 since you asked.:)

[Ol' Badger]

I told my Step-Sisters kid that the "Toe Monster" Lives in the safe and shoulded her my missing toes! It worked.
:evil:

[Matt1911]

As others have said,of course it depends on the kids.I started my kids very early,about 3 or so,as soon as i was confident they would understand,and taught gun safety,then as soon as i thought it would not "scare" them(recoil,noise...)i took them to the range.
I also hunt,and the kids have always seen my harvests,i belive that has helped,ie,guns = death if not careful.

[Edward429451]

At some point you have to counter hollywoods lies and show them the destructive finality of guns. I took my kids to the range and shot a couple shaken up soda's for them to see. Then picked up the split can and gave it to them to 'fix it' 'make it better'. "I can't". Then told them 'thats what'll happen to your brother if you shoot him accidently' and that 'TV's not real, this is real'.

I used a .223 for this purpose and just waited until they were older to talk ballistics to them. Somehow, I thought it would be poor form to try to tell a kid that handguns are lacking in power.

[MrPink]

Generally very good advice given here.

Granted, I grew up in a different time (long ago) but I was raised to RESPECT firearms but not to be AFRAID of them. Safe gun handling, marksmanship and adult supervision were all part of the package. Guns were left out in the open - some loaded, some not and doors left unlocked. As a kid, I recall no incidents of a kid "accidently" shooting somebody with a "carelessly" stored firearm. We were pretty much all raised that if you touched a gun without an adult present, Dad would beat the crap out of you and THAT was something to be afraid of. Alas, with today's laws, Dad would be in double trouble for not locking his guns up and spanking a child.

Teach them to respect and enjoy firearms and that will take the mystery out of it.

Either which way, safe gun storage is a must and I am glad you are doing it. Times change - when I grew up we didn't wear foam helmets when riding a bicycle.

[yzguy]

$5 + shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0936279044/qid=1057936527/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-7902017-8245742?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

short useful book, read it, and lend it to anyone else with kids (even if they don't have guns, kids can still see guns else where).

5yr old knows the difference between my guns (fire guns to him) and his guns (toys). He also knows he can see them and hold them if he asks me, but if I'm not around and ever sees one (mine, not that I leave them unlocked, or some where else) to get an adult. He also knows not to put your finger in the trigger or point it at anyone when I let him hold unloaded one. Now he is not that curious, he wants to hold it sometimes when he sees me cleaning them, then after about 5 seconds of holding it with his finger off the trigger pointed at a wall, he gets board... :)

[Zach S]

In my house, its no big deal. If they want to see one, all they have to do is ask, they dont very often (mainly just when I bring a new one home). They cant recite the four rules, but they are obeyed with waterguns, firearms, drills, and everyting between.

[Edward429451]

I highly reccommend that book linked above. Small but powerful in instruction. 'take away the forbidden fruit syndrome' and they wont get your guns behind your back. My copies long gone and my kids are grown, but it helped a lot.

Must read.

Must read.

[PCRCCW]

Educate, Educate, Educate, Educate and Educate EVEN MORE!

The "NO MYSTERY" thing is taught in Child Psych and Psych 101...be open with your kids about everything they want to know and introduce them to things that they dont already know.

Guns are not accesible in my house, yet my kids know I have a loaded gun on my at all times. They also know the type, capacity and ammo I carry.
They just know alot about guns.........Its no big deal to them.

Friends houses were the reason I taught my kids......Its already paid off.

Its never to early to introduce guns to children.....never. The level of introduction does depend on the age and characteristics of the child.

Its funny....my ex is still very leary of me having loaded guns close.
I showed her something the other day...she dropped by to check on some stuff and I was molding a couple of hoslters.....my daughter came up and said HI....
My ex instantly looks at the guns and says....."Those arent loaded are they?....I know, absolutely STUPID question....but I knew she was worried about the gun/kid thing. I took one of the "molds" out and tried to hand it to my daughter....she instantly said...NO THANKS. My ex was surprised.
I asked her why she didnt want it.........."ITS LOADED"......my ex started to dance......but my daughter and I both said......"You have to treat it like its loaded all of the time"........I then cleared the gun, slide back and handed it to my daughter again. She looked up the grip housing and in the chamber....verified for HERSELF it was not loaded. And explained the whole thing to my ex..................LOVE IT. My daughter just turned 7 and has forgotten more than my ex will know...........................................

Shoot well

[Black92LX]

i am still young, so i am sure there are others might have better suggestions. but i am going by how i was raised and i believe it worked very well.

i have been around guns since i was little. I am 20 now. I was shown the guns and tought about them probably like age 5 or 6. my grandpa told me that they could hurt me or others if not handled properly. and that i wasn't to handle it unless my gandpa handed to me first. and i was never to point it towards anyone for any reason.

be stern but not overbearing, if a child is told never to touch something that just deepens their curiosity.

i don't know what you have. but i would let the 6 year old hold something smaller just to break any curiosity he might have. wait a few more years for the 3 year old. then i would go to wal-mart buy him a $15.00 Red Rdyer BB Gun, a 15.00 Lockable Hardcase, and a $2.00 master lock. and let him or her know it is theirs but are only allowed to use it when you are with him. and keep it on top of your safe.

[Jim K]

Things get tougher in an "anti-gun" area. The children should be taught that these are among the things that belong in the family and are not discussed with outsiders. The NEA is fanatically anti-gun and so are a lot of teachers. If one of the kids tells his "Brady gang" teacher that "Daddy has guns", ten minutes later your house will be surrounded by the SWAT team, a company of national guard tanks, ten thousand cops and a half million social workers. The latter group makes sure your kids are taken away to be raised by the state in a politically correct home and to see that you are given a life sentence for child abuse for letting your kids actually see a gun. Not to mention a hundred thousand lawyers ready to sue you for every crime ever committed since Cain and Abel.

Gun carriers also need to be very cautious with children. I am told it is highly embarassing when your delightful little 4 year old girl stands up in a shopping cart at the super market and informs the world at the top of her little lungs that "My daddy has a gun!"

Jim

[Leaky Waders]

I have two sons an 11 and 7 year old. We go shooting pretty often. They have always been around guns...as have I.

They each have their 'own' guns and bows as well.

They know never to touch one unless I am helping them or hunting w/ them. Even on the range, when a fellow shooter offers them his cz or whatever - their answer is always 'no'. Usually the adult gives some confident coaxing - their answer is still a polite 'no, not unless my daddy helps me.' It's the same answer I gave until I was of age.

I think that it is very important for them to know to call an adult if they see a gun left out. All of mine are in a safe or double locked (aluminum case + trigger lock.) None are loaded - ammmo is stored seperately. But, a neighbor may not have his/her gun stored as secure as mine...therefore the "hands off / adult now" education.

I am also a little overly protective about 'spending the night' - pointedly asking about gun storage in the house prior to approval. I know that some people can't afford a decent scope, let alone a safe...

My two cents,

LW

PS I always knew where my dad's key to his case was when I was little - I never went into his gun cabinet w/o permission - some were/are kept loaded. When we visit his house - I still follow that rule - it's not only safe but polite.

[Rick Blaine]

I would take a six year old (and maybe even a three year old if allowed) to the range to let them hear the bangs. Then they will know that firearms are serious business. Also, since you probably want to pass the shooting legacy down to them, get them involved with air rifles so they can learn about gun safety and develop basic shooting skills. I've read quite a few posts about parents starting their kids off with BB guns and finding that it was a smooth transition when they were old enough to shoot firearms that go bang and pack some kick.

[Rick Blaine]

Sorry, duplicate post. Next time I'll just wait for the page to refresh. Oops!

[Rick Blaine]

Another duplicate. A triple play. Leave it to a newbie. Sorry.

[Sunray]

3 is too young and he won't remember anything you teach him anyway. His attention span is too short.
" He just bought his son a Red Ryder BB gun last Christmas. He keeps it locked away with all the other guns. When Christian (son) ask to go out shooting Doug gets the BB gun out and takes him shooting." Sounds like a good plan for the 6 year old.
The son of the guy that owned the gun store I worked in shot a 19 oz., .44 Special, Charter Arms Bulldog at 9, so it depends on the kid.
"...don't EVER touch one if you see one. You know, the usual stuff that kids are taught in school..." Is just a crock that stupid teachers came up with. Properly educated kids that are allowed to shoot with da's supervision don't see firearms as a mystery. And kids that shoot don't get into trouble. Usually.

[bowhnter]

I agree with "do not hide them" Eventually curiosity will get the best of them. My kids were the same ages when I began teaching them about guns. I even went so far as to have them 'help' me clean then once in a while. Give them the spring, or guide rod and a rag. They loved it. They know they are NOT to touch any gun that may be in reach. I take them out to the range and let them enjoy the fun of target shooting. If they want to see one they have to ask ME, not mom or anyone else. I'll drop whatever I'm doing to open the safe and show them what they want.

[Waitone]

I recall my father's wisdom. At about the time I started outdoorsy stuff (6 YO) I became enamoured with matches. My father's solution to the problem was let me use matches only in his presence. He taught me how to build a fire, how to use matches, and how dangerous they can be if used improperly. In short he remove the mystery. I didn't dare touch one while he was not around but as soon as he showed up I could ask for matches.

Shift to my grand child. My house has a stair between two floors. My daughter was scared of K-Bob killing himself on the stairs. She wanted a barracade at the top and bottom. . . .of extra height bolted into the studs. She wanted soft stuff on the stairs. . . . . . and on and on and on.

My response was, "hey, K-Bob will get to the stairs regardless of what you do, and then he will get hurt. Why not teach him how to use the stairs?" She agreed and I instructed K-Bob in how to use the stairs. K-Bob was 14 months at the time. Bottom line he knows how to climb up and down the stairs without supervision (eyes only), no barracades, no nothing. He's now 25 months old and we've had not one incident on the stairs. Matter of fact, we've had more physical damage to K-Bob on the driveway than the stairs.

In summary, remove the mystery for the older. Begin traiing the older child and let him/her serve as a overseer for the younger.

[blue86buick]

True...that's a few years down the road, and by that time they'll only go to the range and learn if they already have an interest, but that's where I learned most of the stuff I know now. (Rifle merit badge)

[Nick96]

Hey blue 86 buick - you're dating yourself. The two major events where I learned about guns were (1) the Boy Scouts (proper NRA influnced training + a Merit Badge) and (2) tagging along with my Dad to shoot his skinny barrel M-10 .38 with other members of the local mid size city PD (not terribly impressive - even in circa 1963).

Mind you, Dad was a pretty good shot. But then he was wacking Chi-Coms in Korea with a BAR when he was 18. But a few (not most) of those PD guys in those days were'nt great shots. In those days, by yourself, in a '61 Plymouth, no body armor and a radio that only worked part time - there was less emphisis on weapons and more on "street smarts" and knowing the community you served. It all seemed to work out pretty well - we were probably safer then than we we are now. Oh the stories of guts and grit he used to tell.

[blue86buick]

...no offense intended...but... HA!:neener: Dating myself? Well, maybe things have changed since I left it...5 years ago...at the age of 16. I'm just 21. Last I knew there was still a .22LR range which was free for the shootin, and a 16 (mebbe 20) gauge or two at either 75 cents or a dollar a shot (lil foggy...it's been 5 years). There was a blackpowder badge too, but I never got around to that...wish I had, I might've bought one sooner!

I think Boy Scouts has a few flaws...but it's still pretty good. A lot of people would be a lot better off, if they went through the Scout program, and actually learned something too. For instance, I'd bet money we'd have a lot less anti's (and more proper gun handling) if more people took the rifle merit badge.

[client32]

I'm pretty young. I still remember how I learned of them. We had a BB gun, and were allowed to shoot that, but only at the trap we had set up in the back yard. We knew that Dad had some other guns, but not to mess with them. I don't remember how old I was, but I was less than 8 years old when we went and shot 22 rifles. After seeing what happend to a can filled with water, the "guns are not toys" lesson really sunk in.

[BrokenPaw]

I got to consider the whole "Kids and Guns" issue rather suddenly, when my girlfriend became my fiancee, and moved in, with her two kids (11 and 7) from a previous marriage.

I had been keeping my guns out of sight and unloaded, but not particularly secure, until the kids started coming over. Once they were visiting a lot, I started locking the room that the guns were in. Once they moved in, I know I had to tell the kids, to remove the mystery.

I showed them, spoke to them about the rules of safety, and told them they were allowed to ask me any questions they wanted, any time they wanted, as long as it was only in front of family. And I asked them to not tell anyone outside of our family about the guns.

Then I built a electromagnetically-sealed, UPS-backed up, concealed gun vault in the house.

The kids know where it is, and a couple of friends who are shooters do also, but that's it.

Anyone want a concealed gun vault built for them? :D

-BP

[Jesse H]

When I was a teenager before going away for college, I often had a beer or two with my dad at the dinner table. Once I went away to school, I drank responsibly.

I've got another friend whose parents didn't let her get close to alcohol around the house. She STILL goes out and drinks way too much and acts like a 16 yr old hogging the spiked punch on prom night. She's nearly 30.

[BowStreetRunner]

This thread got me thinking....
my plan is not to hide the fact that i have guns from my children, ill clean them out in the open, and ill answer any questions they have about them....when they want to handle them they have to learn the 4 rules....i figure if they are old enough to remember, understand, and comply with the BIG 4 then they are old enough to touch the gun
then maybe ween them into shooting with a BB gun and keep practicing the 4 rules so when they are old enough to shoot they are well prepared and have respect for firearms
BSR

[Black92LX]

Anyone want a concealed gun vault built for them?

you make them to. i have been designing one for myself. i think i will integrate mine into the bottom of my nightstand.

[Ky Larry]

I can't remember living in a house without guns. My Dad and my uncles hunted and shot targets so It was never a big deal. As in all things Iwould advise education over ignorance. Show them the guns, explain the difference between toy guns and real guns,remove the mystery, and above all, tell them the truth about what guns are for. In my experince, children have a great b.s. filter. They know when you are telling them the truth and when you're not. Now is a good time.

[Edward429451]

When I was a teenager before going away for college, I often had a beer or two with my dad at the dinner table. Once I went away to school, I drank responsibly.

I think there's something to this. I started my kids at less than 5 yrs old and now let them keep loaded guns in their rooms (ages 16 & 17). My younger son comes to me the other day with his gun(s) and asked me to lock em up with the others. Reason? He's not quite sure about one of his friends, who might pick one up when he leaves the room to go get a drink or something. Thinking kids! Gotta love em.:cool:

As I understand it, a kids basic personality is formed between ages 3 and 6. If you teach them safety and realism between them ages, will it translate to safer kids later in life? OTOH, if you don't teach them safety at a young age but let them sit and watch the A-Team and such non realistic programs on tv, will they be less safe later in life? Hmmm. I think so.

[djf]

My dad likes guns, but he isn't fanatically into them. He used them as a cop until he quit and then we had my granddads guns after he died.

He did a few things with us. The guns were never loaded. The ammo was kept hidden, the guns were hidden but not locked up. We only shot them occasionally when camping where the safety rules were drilled into our little thick skulls and none of us was ever interested in them when they were at home.

My parents NEVER NEVER let us own toy guns. I agree with this now. When I wanted a BB gun my dads response was "why not just get a .22, its just as dangerous". The idea being to learn to treat guns with respect, since kids will play cops and robbers with them and point them at each other.

[kudu]

Iv'e got 3 kids, all girls, one 3 year old and twins 1 1/2 years old. I have guns in several closets and one in a corner by the door, we live in the boonies, but my 3 year old knows not to touch daddy's guns because they go BOOM! And they are up high enough that the twins don't bother them untill they are old enough to understand. I agree that the best thing is to make kids familiar with guns, it takes the mystique away from them. I do keep loaded guns around but not where kids can get to them.

[WAPS]

The first question I would ask you is, have your children expressed any type of hightened interest in the safe beyond natural curiosity? An example of this behavior would be you find them in the room looking at or fixating on the safe.

If not, based upon your statement of being in a relative non gun friendly area, I would suggest staying the course you are on until they are old enough to understand better about the weapons and that they shouldn't discuss them with anyone for any reason. Why bring attention if not needed.

On the other hand, if they do express a hightened interest, perhaps you should show them what is contained therein and then have a long talk about what their responsibility is (i.e. not to touch or tell anyone about).

I as a trainer who deals with parents and children regularly, have always advocated the practice of removing the mystic which will generally reduce the level of interest. However this DOES NOT reduce or eliminate the need to secure the weapons from them.

If you would like additional advice on this subject, please feel free to contact me of list.

Be Safe

Bryan S. Williams
Williams Associates Protective Services, LLC
www.wa-protective.com

[Spot77]

WAPS:

Thank you. You hit the nail right on the head for now. My kids haven't shown any interest at all in the safe, and I think I will keep it that way for now.

To Everybody:

Thanks for the great advice, and the great reccomendations. I absolutely believe in removing the mystery of my firearms and will do exactly that before the time comes. My 6 year old girl has no interest in the safe or guns, so for now I'm just teaching her the basic rules at a slow pace. I really want her to like and respect guns, but if she doesn't care for them, that's fine. At least she'll know to respect the rules.

My 3 year old is pretending to shoot "bad guys" with his toy drill, and I've started teaching him the basics about such things....He's too immature to understand the danger of guns, but he now knows the rules; treat it as if it were loaded, don't put your finger on the trigger, etc" Even though he doesen't understand the reason for the rules yet, he KNOWS them and will ALWAYS remember them.

Thanks again everybody. I'll post on this thread periodically to let you all know what progress we're making. I think it will make a great reference thread for parents of young children.

[Spot77]

A short follow up as promised in my last post:

I just bought a Yugo SKS and decided it would be a good time to let the cat out of the bag.....

So I took the rifle out and laid it on the floor and called my son into my office (He's only three, remember...) He walked in and we talked for a minute and then he said "What's that for?" (pointing to the rifle) Followed up with an immediate, "May I touch it?"

Woohoo! My kids DO listen (Although my wife would argue differently.)

He's asked twice if he could touch it since then; making me proud that he remembers the rules.

:)

[SteelyDan]

The large majority of the opinions expressed above are great advice. Makes me proud to be a part of this forum. It's a little tricky with kids, but I can't express it better than others already have.

My son is 11, and so far all he's shot is BB guns. I read about people whose 8-year-old kids took a deer with a .243, and it always makes me nervous. Save the flames, I'm just talking about my kid, and that's all he was ready for. This year, for the first time, he's actually expressing some interest in shooting. So if he can avoid sweeping my abdomen (which he did last year with the BB rifle, which put an end to his shooting), he will shoot pellets and maybe even a .22. In a year or two, maybe he'll be ready to try a .22 handgun. We'll see. This is fun for me, but I won't rush it until he's ready.

[chaim]

Spot, sounds good. What about your daughter, has she seen it yet? What was her reaction? So how long 'till the BB gun? How did your wife like the idea of letting the children in on the guns? I know a guy who has 5 kids ranging from 4 to 17 and his wife still won't let him let any of the kids know he has guns (he has an SKS and a Daewoo 9mm pistol). She got really nervous one day when we were talking about hitting the range sometime, because we were talking too loud and the kids were nearby. When I first saw this thread I was worried that you might end up in the same situation, I'm glad you didn't.

[sgt127]

I've got two boys, 10 and 5.
Both my kids know they can ask to see daddy's guns any time they want to. Even if daddy just got off work at 7:00 am, if they meet me at the door and ask, "Daddy, can I see your gun?" I unload the gun, hand it to them, make sure they know not to point it at someone else, the dog, the kitty etc, after about a minute, they get bored and hand it back to me with "Ok, thanks Dad." I have told them, ANY time you want to look at one of my guns, just ASK. The only rule is that I'm there. I once tested them. Made sure a revolver was unloaded and left it laying on the coffee table where I could watch it. Within 2 minutes, the older one, I think he was 6, came up to me and said, "Hey dad, theres a gun laying on the coffee table" And then went back to TV. No excitement, no stress, nothing. Both have been to the range, the older one has shot some .22's.

[Spot77]

My daughter couldn't care any less about it. Tried the same thing with her as with my son. She politely stepped around the rifle and continued to nag me about something trivial. So I took the time to explain the rules to her and she seems pretty cool with it.

My wife is more of an irresponsible baby than my kids. She doesn't want to touch the SKS, saying that it's "Scarey". So be it. (Wait, I didn't even mention the grenade launcher.....hmmmm)