Should I worry?

[Spieler]

I had an experience at home the other day that I haven't been able to get out of my head. Help me out here.

I was putting on my CCW (G17 in paddle FOBUS) and my two-and-a-half year old daughter walks in, points to my weapon and says...

"Is that daddy's gun?" to which I reply in the affirmative and then she says "I like daddy's gun" and "daddy's gun is pretty"!

My wife and I are happy she can recite her ABCs, but now she's asking about my guns already? Now please understand that my weapons are kept in a safe and my CCW/home defense gun is properly stored when at home so that the child (hopefully) cannot access it, but she certainly knows what guns are already and I guess I was just a bit shocked when she said what she did. I have made no attempt to hide or conceal them from her, but she is still too young to understand what guns can do and she isn't allowed to touch them.

So, should I be worried about this? Will she blurt out to other kids that daddy wears a gun? What about when she starts daycare or school? Worst of all....what if this means she will develop a passion for guns and RKBA issues and want guns of her own someday?

 

[pax]

Spieler,

What you should do is, any time she comments on it at home, immediately unload your gun and help her hold it pointing in a safe direction for as long as she wishes (that gets boring for them in a hurry, btw). While she's interested, tell her that she's not ever ever ever supposed to touch your gun when you're not there, but that you'll let her hold it whenever she asks.

Chances are, she'll be fascinated for a week, and then move on to other things. But for a week or so, you'll be unloading your gun and letting her hold it fairly often.

If you forbid her touching it under safe conditions, she will touch it if she ever has the opportunity when you're not around. Kids can pretty well sense when something is interesting, and they want in on the action. Let her satisfy her curiousity, and she'll move on to other interests.

You should keep your gun locked up, too, of course -- but I'm of the suspenders-and-a-belt school. Defuse her curiousity by satisfying it in a safe manner, then keep the gun locked up anyway in case defusing her curiousity isn't enough. Or keep the gun locked up, but defuse her curiousity too in case keeping the gun locked up isn't enough.

As for the neighbors and friends, that one's difficult and tricky. Basic rule I told my kids is, "We don't ever, ever talk about our guns with anyone who doesn't live with us." That pretty well covers everyone you would worry about -- neighbors, friends, teachers and day care workers. When she gets a tiny bit bigger, you can add qualifiers to that. But that's a pretty good place to start.

Oh, and two and a half is a good time to get 'em memorizing stuff. Their brains are positive sponges at that age. Chant the Eddy Eagle rules with her: "Stop. Don't Touch. Leave the Room. Tell a Grownup. That's what we do when we see a gun." Eventually it'll sink in.

pax

 

[duckfoot]

I'll second PAXs lead. Got nephews that were interested in the ol’ bang sticks but too young to start shooting, basically did what Pax told you and everything turned out fine.

 

[DeputyVaughn]

I'd be worried that she thinks a Glock 17 is pretty.

Scott

 

[AK103K]

I'd be worried that she thinks a Glock 17 is pretty.

LOL, DeputyVaughn has a point!
I think now is the prime time to be teaching your daughter about guns, it really should be done from birth. Kids are sponges and are ready and eager to learn. Dont wait until she asks you. Its also a good time to start with the "Nazi" speech too.

 

[Spot77]

I asked a similar question a while back and got tons of great advice and support. How and when to tell your kids is not an easy decision.

Here's the thread, I think it will help:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30461

 

[ojibweindian]

My kids did the same thing. As long as you do your part to de-mystify the allure of a gun, there should be no problems.

Let her mess with it in your presense after ensuring the weapon has been made safe. After a week or two, the magical allure is gone.

While my kids still think guns are cool, they're not overwhelmed by them any more. And they know the four rules, etc.

 

[Art Eatman]

When my son was around three-ish, and very interested in the "pretty gun" or whatever, I used the ploy of "It's too big for you, right now, isn't it?" after he had struggled around with my 1911 for a bit. "When you think you're big enough to shoot it, just tell me and we'll go shoot."

That took the mystique out of the whole deal...

Art

 

[labgrade]

"Defuse her curiousity by satisfying it in a safe manner, then keep the gun locked up anyway in case defusing her curiousity isn't enough."

Just right.

Both my kids (& myself) were actively shooting at age 4 yrs - & of course under immediate & direct Daddy Supervision.

There was never The Alure that somehow guns were anything other than to place a bullet in a specific place - none of that gansta-trick majic quality about anything firearms-wise.

Safety was hammered home (in a delightfully pleasant way - they are kids, after all) while allowing the curiosity to be satisfied. Any time at all The Kids wanted to See The Guns, they were allowed. Made safe & they were then presented with the requirements to further investigate safely.

Remove the mistique & guns become "just another tool."

BTW, I was hunting alone w/.22 rifles at 7 yrs old.

Another "fine point" is that "we don't discuss ANY family matters outside of the family. That goes for finances, "what your brother did," et al. Makes for a more cohesive group, I think.

Kids just want to know things - especially those that they see are important to you.

Allow them to do so - safely.

That's your job.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Worst of all....what if this means she will develop a passion for guns and RKBA issues and want guns of her own someday?

Such a problem!

 

[BluesBear]

EVERY Parent, and I mean EVERY parent should read, reread and try the methods taught in this book;

How To Gunproof Your Children

I first read this book about 10 years ago.

It's only $4.95 so you can afford to order more than one and feel good about giving it to a few antis and sheeple.

Now, I am not the world's biggest Mas Ayoob fan, but I honestly believe that if every parent taught every child this way we would have NO accidental shootings by children.

Those of you who have read my posts on THR know I try to avoid using absolutes (never, every, always, none, etc). But on this subject I truely believe that if every parent taught every child this way the number of accidental shootings by children would be reduced to NONE.

Just my 2¢, you might have a different opinion. Read this book and let me know. In this case it REALLY is for "the chiluns".