I need help convincing my family to allow firearms at home

[Buttons]

I've been going out lately and enjoying range days with friends. Im 17.5 and about ready to finally buy my own gun I'll most likely start with one of these two rifles followed quickly by the second, its between a .22 or an SKS, I plan to go to the range often and hunt coyotes Im trying to find a good gun or guns to serve that purpose but thats beside the point although im still open to suggestions. the important part is that I live with my grandparents and they are very anti-gun, I need some good strong points to base my arguments on so that I can eventually convince them to let me store the gun in the house (I am determined, and all safety measures will be taken, trigger locks and a gun case or safe with the ammo stored in a different location in the house). primarily my grandparents think a gun is too dangerous to use or own for anyone. I know its their house and what they say goes since it is thier property. I am proud to say however that my grandparents trust me completely. Im a very good student and responsible for everything that I do and take care of everything I own. Ive never broken a law (except once when I was five I took a squirtgun from a neighbors toy chest ). no traffic tickets and in my range days all go very well and safely. My record is the main reason I think that I can convince them I just have to get past the "guns are too dangerous so you cant have any in my house" part. whats really disheartening is the fact that they flipped when I first moved in I brought my BB gun and they nearly threw it out, somehow though I was able to convince them to let me keep it. now there is only one step left upgrade from an air rifle to what is considered by them now as a real firearm. If worst comes to worst I will buy the guns and just let one of my range buddies hold on to it for me at thier house, or maybe you would be able to suggest another possible way that would let me keep the firearms, still having them at home would still be the best solution for me if I had a choice. Im sure all of you here on this board know your stuff and could give me good verbal ammuniton to convince them.

Many thanks in advance -Buttons

 

[whm1974]

Wait until you are 18, get a .22 first as a lot of anti gunners arn't as threatened by .22 as they are by bigger guns.

-Bill

 

[viking87]

Try to get them to the range. Teaching someone to shoot will often turn them in favor of guns. A .22 would probably be the best thing to introduce into the house first, but once the doors are open...

Well from there you can go almost anywhere.

Good luck.

 

[DFBonnett]

Buttons..
Their house, their rules. That being said, you can try to turn them around but don't expect much success. Once you are 18 and you can legally purchase a rifle (I presume in your state), keep it with a trusted friend and say *NOTHING* to your grandparents. You might keep just the bolt stashed at home just to be sure that the rifle gets no unauthorized use.
YMMV
FWIW
DFB

 

[possenti]

I agree with DFBonnett above

Respect their rules. Buy your own gun when you're 18, and keep the bolt while your buddy keeps the rest.

I would like to add that if you want to be a "complete" gun owner - protecting your own house - you need to work on becoming independent soon after you turn 18. Finish school, find a vocation (if you haven't already), and set out on your own. I don't know your grandparents, but they're probably too set in their ways to see your point of logic. Invite them to shoot with you, but remian determined to make your own decisions about your own personal safety.

I left home at 19 for different reasons, but I didn't agree with their house rules. It was hard to see my friends still living at home, going to college and partying like most do at that age, while I was working 50+ hours a week just to pay rent and car insurance. At the time, I wondered if I was doing the right thing, but in hindsight I'm glad I did it.

BTW - my parents weren't totally anti-gun, but there is NO WAY they would let me have the guns I have now in their house!

Good luck.

 

[sumpnz]

They're your grandparents and presumably legal guardians, it's their house, so it's their rules. If you want to try and change their minds, go ahead. Worst they can do is say no. But, you need to respect them and if they say no, and don't wish to discuss if further leave it at that. Once you move out, you can do whatever you want WRT guns in the house.

I assume you're graduating from HS nex June. At that point it'll be time to either go to college, join the military, or move out and get a job. Since it sounds like you'll be 18 around January/February/March would it really be so bad to wait that extra few months to buy a gun?

If you can live without for that time do your grandparents a favor and just wait until then. If they ever question you about it later, you can then say that you wanted to get it sooner but held off out of respect for them. If you can't wait, stash it at the buddy's house, but as mentioned keep the bolt at your place. That way you won't be blamed if it's used for unsavory purposes.

Oh, and in this kind of circumstance, definatly get the .22 first (it will be a bolt action, right?). Save the SKS for after you've moved out, even if you manage to convice them to let you have the .22 at their place. People like that are almost guaranteed to freak if you tried to bring in a semi-auto, expecially a military looking one like the SKS (not as bad in that respect as AK-47 pattern rifles, but still has a definate military look).

 

[Majic]

You must understand that their decision of no guns aren't based on you. Your great record of showing responsibility and honor really means nothing in their dislike of firearms. You can sit down with them and ask them what their dislike of firearms stems from, but if they are set in their ways and have their reasons (no matter if you agree with them or not) don't expect any changes.
Their house, their rules is the universal law of the land. It may be disappointing, but you are young and have a lifetime ahead of you to do as you please after you move out. Patience is never a virtue of the young, but we all have to learn it.
If you do decide to still purchase your firearms and store them with friends then be sure to get the approval of the head of that household if said buddy doesn't live on his/her own.

 

[gunsmith]

Find out why

They are so against guns.
Then get back to us as to what exactly they are so concerned with.

For instance "dangerous" if they're so concerned with safety then you must insist they stop driving (you too).
Car owners kill far more people the gun owners.

P.S

Their not thier-maybe your grandparents are not as pleased with your school work as you presume.

 

[Roadkill]

Leave them alone. You could be in a foster home. I turned 18 on a Wednesday and was in Ft Benning on the next Monday. You either live by their rules or do like I ( and many others) have done. Can't have it all.

rk

 

[twoblink]

Just remember, a swimming pool, 5 gallon paint bucket, mini-blinds, and plastic bags kill more children per year than guns do.

It's like those who drive in LA but are afraid of flying, it might just be an ignorance of the statistics..

But I agree, their house, their rules.. You might show them a BB or a pellet and then a .22LR short.. comparatively, the steak knives in the drawer might be the deadlier element.

 

[Treylis]

Whatever path you take, don't be overly surprised if you get shot down after making perfect arguments. You're probably going to run into the same problem that plagues parent-child situations like this--"You're just a kid, you don't know anything! Plus, you're my kid, so I damned well know better than you!"

People tend to get really irrational when challenged by younger family, especially about topics like this.

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

I'll probably have the same problem when I turn 18.

However, my parents are rational, so it should be possible to turn them.

 

[Travis McGee]

First, you must demonstrate total reliability and responsibility at all times. No getting drunk, coming in a 3 AM (like some of us back in the day.) No screaming fits, sloppy rooms, clothes and dishes left around. You must be Mr. Squared Away to even get close to keeping a gun these days.

Then, start with the "less threatening" .22, after you turn 18. Play up the target shooting sport aspects. Clip out Olympic shooting articles, etc.

You sound like a good guy, I wish you luck.

 

[stealthmode]

i agree with keeping the bolt if you let someone store a gun for you that way they cant use it if they flip out.

that being said you should first try to get your grandfather to go to the range with you and show him you are responsible and that this is what interests you. but it does boil down to its their house their rules.

 

[Baba Louie]

Buttons.
Safety first, last and always. Discuss with each of them separately, slowly easing into the subject your interest in the shooting sports and hunting.

Test the waters again and often but don't be too pushy.

The 4 rules. Make sure they know you know them and live by them.

Air rifles... Olympic shooting style. It's a way to get them involved. They're just big BB guns right?

The Athens Olympics are here, so keep that interest up and as Travis said, clip out articles. The Olympic athletes or colleges with air rifle teams who compete might be a short term goal for now. (I mean, any grandparent would be proud of their grandson who competed in an Olympic level sport, right?)

A metal locker or safe to store your stuff in. Safety for your family.

From air rifles, mention or learn about the historical aspects of self-same arms, ala Lewis & Clark. History = knowledge = smart young grandson. This might allow you to ease into blackpowder arms from the same perspective.
Always keep them involved.

Slowly work into .22 target rifles or handguns.

Find the Thos. Jefferson quote about "Arms being the preferred sport for the mind". Books on the subject of arms as art, in history or for hunting. Educate them while you educate yourself on the subject. These things take time and will help fulfill your desire to some degree.

Then, when you near your 18th birthday, join the Marines (any service really) for your after high school/pre college years. Once you're out of that, you'll be set to do whatever you want... and who knows, maybe we'll be reading about Marine Sgt "Buttons" winning the gold in the 2008 Olympics. (It's a great goal and one that could be accomplished)

But right now, Expressing a desire to own an evil assault rifle or to go kill something you don't eat will work against you, methinks. Historical arms along with the knowledge of same and/or true shooting sports, bringing food home for the table... these kinds of actions might work to your benefit. "Might" being the key word here.

 

[MP5]

As always, when arguing something with someone, try to understand what their specific concerns/fears/desires are and speak directly to those. Maybe they're concerned about crime, in which case you could make strong arguments for the power of a respsonsibly handled gun in a self-defense role. Maybe you're grandfather is interested in Colonial history or the Wild West or military history: those things naturally tie into guns and the right to keep and bear them.

Regarding safety, to convince someone that guns aren't Doomsday Devices that just go off by themselves and kill everyone in the room, try to get them to the range for some proper instruction--they may end up loving it while learning the truth about gun safety. Barring that, at least explain the various internal mechanical (i.e., moving transfer bars, etc.) and user-activated safeties on firearms, and of course the Big 4 safety rules. Prove to your family that you know what you're doing and what you're talking about.

Perhaps remind them that this step is important to you as a person or as a man (assuming you're a guy) since learning how to defend yourself and your family and/or how to use guns is arguably an important masculine rite of passage.

As others have said, stress the discipline firearms instill--shooting is good mental training.

Above all, show respect to earn it. Good luck!

 

[bhart89]

Watch some movies like Mel Gibson's Patriot or maybe some WWII Warsaw Ghetto uprising movies with them and exlplain that guns in certain situations are a good thing.

 

[silversides]

Hello MP5.

It sounds like yours is a situation that is quite common in this country. May I suggest to you that the only way to help your situation is to not only educate yourself but your grand parents as well.

Please get acquainted with all of the issues surrounding your grandparents beliefs then help them get informed item by item.

Regardless of where you are in the human family, may I suggest starting at the following link;

http://www.jpfo.org/ib.htm

Please get the film "Innocents Betrayed". It's an eye opener! Then take it from there.

 

[jsalcedo]

My mom was a frothing at the mouth anti big time. Not for any particular reason other than to make me and my father miserable.

I just hid my taurus .357 under my pillow for 4 years until I moved out at 19.

I'ts nice sleeping to the smell of hoppes and rem oil.

 

[Buttons]

Very good info guys/gals I know that one thing will impresss my grandmother and that she was an english teacher and always tries to work on my "their"s . She is of the impression that all pro gunners are uneducated, rednecked hillbillies and that no good can come of them. For one thing everyone on this forum knows that this is not the truth. Even here in Missouri the pro gun hillbillies are some of the sharper people, and definately some of the nicest people you could ever get to know, and so are the non-hillbilly types of pro gunners. As far as responsibility goes I dont see much room as far as making my room any cleaner, I keep healthyness and cleanliness as some of my higher priorities. I'm already anti drug and I disapprove of all the underage drinkers and smokers that I know of enough for them to at least know not to do it around me. I'm on the straight and narrow and have moved in with my grandparents as a way to take refuge from and abusive alcoholic stepfather. Due to my family history my grandparents know as well as I do that I will not mix with the wrong crowd I dont want to become anything near to an alcoholic, even moreso if I want to own firearms. I hope that part didnt sound whiney whiney Im only bringing it up to backup the reasoning behind my anti drug standpoint, I dont regret coming from that sort of household because I believe Ive gained a benefit from all of it. I know that Im not with the wrong group now but they think that anyone who owns a gun is either a criminal or is hiding some deep dark evil secret. so now that I hang out with some of my RPGing friends (met them playing the great tabletops ranging from whitewolf to the ever popular D&D) who happen to own guns, I get the impression that they think I'm in a gang or something.
I would love to go away to college but we dont have the necessary funding at the time so I'm going to end up attending College while living at home for another four years. The waiting it out is going to be tough but I will wait until I can buy a gun legally. I love my grandparents and respect them more than anyone else so I will repect their rules. I will be posting back as soon as I learn the reasoning behind their anti gun policy "Not In My House"
as far as grammar goes my paragraphs and sentances stink when i post on the internet I'm working on it though.

many thanks again, -Buttons

 

[KaceCoyote]

Well I'm the guy who ended up pulling Buttons to "The darkside" as it were. What sorta bugs me about the situation is this, Buttons is prolly -the- most responsible guy I have met reguardless of age. His room is clean, he doesnt smoke(even when I do) he doesnt drink or do drugs. He doesnt hang with a bad crowd, or come home at crazy times unless its friday(RPG night). He's cool tempered and perhaps more paranoid about gunsafety than even me.

 

[Buttons]

Thanks Kace,
I do try
my humility may still need some work

 

[wmenorr67]

If you want to go to school but can't afford it, look into the military. If you don't want to full time it the National Guard is a great option. If Missouri is like Oklahoma as long as you go to a state school the Guard will pay 100% of your school. Not counting room and board or books. But there also is the GI Bill that could help also.

 

[Series 70]

My 14-year-old daughter was trying to talk me into an XD-9 the other day. Knowing it would be stored in my safe, and that she's very responsible and safety conscious, I was inclined to say yes...

...until I discovered that she wanted me to pay for it!

 

[hso]

Buttons,

Tell your grandparents that WE have suggested you should find out why they are opposed to you owning a good quality .22 target rifle? This might be the way into a discussion that isn't the least bit confrontational, but more phylosophical. Take the personal aspet out of it and make it more academic. No self defense, no RKBA just the basics of why they oppose anyone owning a firearm and then why they oppose You owning one.

Don't challenge them in the discussion. You just want to have the discussion without trying to persuade them. You may find that they have some general bad examples or personal experience that has helped form their oppinion. You may find that they don't like the video games you play and are concerned about their "Columbine" effect on you. You may find that you were overly enthusiastic with your initail approach and they, just for once, feared you might not be always as responsible as your almost always are and the possible consequences were too much for them to bear. You might be their one bright hope for seeing their one grandchild become the best person they'ver ever met and they don't want anything to happen to you.

Once you find these things out you have a chance to explain to them that you understand even better than they do the awsome responsibiltiy that any firearm represents. You can tell them that there are some very good role models in this forum and that you recognize the difference from the not so good ones and that you know the difference in real life thanks to them.