social issues...being discrete

[KidDynamo]

OK, this thread is based on an event that happened today.

Basic Facts:
#1 I started reloading in the past month. In short, I'm new to this stuff.
#2 I decided to setup my bench/shop in the garage.
#3 I have 2 small kids (ages 6,7)
#4 I try to be discrete because I don't want the kids, neighbors, or folks driving by to know what I'm doing or worry about it.
#5 I leave a RCBS automatic powder dispenser and brass prep station + 2 boxes of dies out on my desk. Sometimes I leave the RCBS trimmer out too.
#6 I live in a somewhat liberal area, guns are not popular by any measure.

Recent events:
#1 (1wk ago) My son came out into the garage while I was reloading and asked a bunch of questions. I answered some and had him go back inside.
#2 (today) My neighbor's kids were in the garage with my kids getting bikes and asked my kids about the stuff on my desk.

Here's my question (finally):
How do you guys handle reloading in your life?? Do you hide in a closet/cave far from site and nosy neighbors/kids. Do you have your setup somewhere people might see it like I do in the garage??

If people ask, do you avoid the subject and steer discussion away?? Or, do you confront it head on?

Tell me about how you handle this in your life.

 

[Cmeboston]

I am honest with my son and teach him what I am doing and why. As far as the neighbors kids, I just don't let them into my basement( or garage) I would see no need to have them in there anyway. My .02


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[amlevin]

For years I have not gone out of my way to hide my hobby. When the neighbors stopped by when I had my setup in my garage, almost to a man, they were interested in the hobby. Some of those who were "shooters" are now also "Reloaders".

As for the "other part of my hobby", I have a nice, stout, secure, safe to keep all my firearms in. I cover it with a large U-Haul blanket (the old style quilted kind) and nobody notices.

Why hide? Chances are everyone knows anyway. Do you think that just because you shoo your kids away they aren't aware? That they don't tell their friends at school and their parents at home? If you do, your hiding more than just your hobby.

On another note, this is a perfect opportunity to expose kids to a new hobby. I'd just ask them to check with their parents to see if it's OK (and follow up yourself) to show them what reloading is all about and how to do it safely.

 

[918v]

Tell them that the tooks on your bench are tools for metalworking.

 

[Shadow 7D]

wait, yer passing up on slave labor and passing down 'traditions'

You know the little fingers can pick the media out of the shells faster than you, and you let them do the prep and finish work, all the non critical tasks, as for talking about it, explain about it, and most kids will listen, just expect a call from the school, when your kid writes the 'what I did this summer' paper.

 

[beardking]

In my view, there is no reason to hide anything, especially from your kids. Now, this us coming from a guy who does not have kids not plans to have them, but I know from being a kids myself, things are soooo much more "interesting" if they are secret. So my advice for your kids is to take them our with them, explain what you are doing, what each step is for, and most importantly the inherent dangers involved in reloading, just like I would with firearms (if I had kids). As far a the neighbors are concerned, if they are interested (and you like them), show them the same stuff. If they look down at you, tell them where to go, I have no patience for people like that.

Personally, I'm not doing anything I'm embarrassed about, so I have absolutely nothing to hide. And I refuse to go into hiding just because some people don't approve of my beliefs (or hobbies).

 

[918v]

One reason not to advertise is because kids talk and pretty soon the neighborhood turd will find out you have guns in the house. One day, that turd or his friends will break into your house and will steal your guns, or force you to shoot them.

 

[faire bien de...!]

Tell them that the tools on your bench are tools for metalworking

Yeah, and when the neighbor kid finally spots some gun powder they'll think your in there making pipe bombs...! I wouldn't worry about it... If anyone asks just tell them what your doing. If they don't like it, they won't ask about it anymore. So TS to them.

 

[Branden967]

In my view, there is no reason to hide anything, especially from your kids. Now, this us coming from a guy who does not have kids not plans to have them, but I know from being a kids myself, things are soooo much more "interesting" if they are secret. So my advice for your kids is to take them our with them, explain what you are doing, what each step is for, and most importantly the inherent dangers involved in reloading, just like I would with firearms (if I had kids). As far a the neighbors are concerned, if they are interested (and you like them), show them the same stuff. If they look down at you, tell them where to go, I have no patience for people like that.

Personally, I'm not doing anything I'm embarrassed about, so I have absolutely nothing to hide. And I refuse to go into hiding just because some people don't approve of my beliefs (or hobbies).

+1 on what he said. I just lock up the powder and primers so nothings out and throw a pillow case over the press.

 

[cfullgraf]

I don't hide that i reload, but I don't advertise it either. I keep the info as low key as possible.

When I was reloading in my garage, it was mostly my shop, not a street car storage facility and the garage door kept closed except when race cars or lawn mowers were moving in and out. Besides, the garage has heated and cooled. My firearms were not stored in the garage with the reloading equipment. In later houses, I had a room or basement area dedicated to reloading and separate from the race car shop.

My daughters have spent time with me reloading and have been included in shooting activities. They were instructed to not discuss it with their friends. Whether they heeded the request or not, I don't know.

 

[HOWARD J]

By the time my kids were 7 1/2 years they could shoot most of our weapons & could reload--my shop was in the basement--moved 3 times--shop moved 3 times.
I had a locked steel bar door on my room---keep the relations out--they thought I was a
hardware store for their personal use.
I did not allow any of their friends into the room---they were busy wth sports anyway & did not have much time to reload. we went shooting every weekend in the summer time.
That's when I got the Dillions.--they are dusty these days & I use a Lee turret machine--no rush anymore.
This neighborhood is heavly armed--no one even thinks about a reloader.

 

[Hondo 60]

Tell your kids what you're doing & why.
And involve them!

This is a perfect opportunity to get them involved & excited about reloading.

As far as the neighbor kids... they don't belong in your garage.
Whether they get information on reloading is up to their parents, not you.

Some liberals would be outraged if you told their kids about reloading.
So it's probably best not to.

 

[1stmarine]

I think that it depends on the age, context and circumstances. I am not going to try to explain anything about reloading to a 3 year old but once they hit 7,8 or 9 you have to start talking to them about the things in your life and why they are important whatever they are.
The proper education about firearms, why is a huge responsibility and potential liability, also how they can ruin or save your life or somebody else's life. Talk about things as they come, do not rush but do not hide what you are doing.
Sometimes my son now 11 comes to my basement and says what are you doing Papa and I am explaining I am reloading for the upcoming skeet league or putting an upper together for long range hunting. Whatever it is I am trying to show him what I am doing, how I am doing and why it is important to me and then it and it is a great opportunity to show safe firearms handling and general education.
Also do not hide your hobby from your wife or neighbors but if you know they are anti gun there is not need to rub this on their faces. In the end this is a free country and people can choose whatever opinions they want so we need to be respectful of everyone's opinions. Before there is a second amendment there is the first one.

In the end folks are going to be comfortable about you as a good helping neighbor and your seriousness, discretion and how you handle yourself. The same expectation we have from officially armed men and women like Police or Military. Only with Highest standards.

Today with so many kids running around with AKs and ARs popping cans and stuff, all that is fun I can understand that, but some grown ups doing crazy stuff running and shooting dressed in Halloween customs and talking about the end of days, the new revolution, the SHTF and other delusions all that is going to do is make the rest of the responsible firearms owners look bad and potentially get someone killed. I am most worry about the message those send to the kids that might think this is another online game. Sorry no recall button here.

Some veterans and I we mentor several kids in the local skeet and rifle leagues and we always talk about how to conduct ourselves as firearm owners and responsible citizens in general. Some kids with difficulties in school and to fit in found huge help in the firearms world, built a sense of responsibility, healthy competition spirit, discipline and character. Some of them later even joined the police or military and now they are officers, squad leaders and some awesome DMs.

So I could not be prouder of them, all thanks to the hard work of many people and proper firearms education.

Cheers,
E.

 

[918v]

Yeah, and when the neighbor kid finally spots some gun powder they'll think your in there making pipe bombs...!

And then the black helicopters will come. OK.

 

[41 Mag]

Having a daughter and now three grandsons, they have all been exposed to the whole mess since they were brought into this world. I have explained the hows and whys, and what not, and we all hunt using ammo that I load or have had them help me load.

When my daughter was young and in school, I asked that she not mention to her friends and such that we had guns, I didn't worry about the other as she knew if I didn't wanting her talking about guns the other was simply an extension of that.

As for her friends, we only had one incident where one of them actually caused any issues and that wasn't with any of the gun related stuff, but a claw hammer can do some serious damage to door facings. At this time in her life I had a come to Jesus meeting with her and explained why we, (her mom and I), didn't want friends in the house while we weren't here. I explained that just as easily she could have gotten into something a WHOLE lot more damaging, and after that we never had another person in the house while we were not home.

Just like the folks I work with asked, I tell them up front and drill it into their heads what it is, what it does, and what it can do. I have never had an issue with my daughter or grandkids even being bothered by a rifle or handgun much less the stuff I build bullets with. Like was mentioned, it's the secrete things that the kids find that get them in trouble. The things that are everyday are not a big deal to them.

 

[jcwit]

First I have no kids around, mine are all grown with kids of their own.
With that said, I hide nothing and could care less what the neighbors think.
If I offend anyone in my neighborhood they have 2 options:
#1 Get over it and forget it.
#2 Stay offended and make themselves miserable
Of those 2 options it makes no difference to me either way.

I've lived my life in an Honerable way and no longer worry what others think.

After reading the post by 1stmarine below I might add, for the most part I have a super relationship with my neighbors except for 2, and the rest of us (11) seem to feel the same about those 2.

 

[1stmarine]

I have a very good relationship with all my neighbors. There is a lot of mutual respect and willingness to help in times of need. Just like the old good days.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Not from a paranoid perspective.....but rather a safety and ensuring longevity of the equipment I suggest you lock up your equipment. The reason is two fold #1 idle hands and roaming eyes and #2 proper handling of the equipment. Keeping them covered does not let them get exposed to dust or unnecessary elements that can wreak havoc with the accuracy of the precision equipment that it is meant to be! And, it is good practice to care for equipment properly maintained.

 

[Sam1911]

I'm not sure what value there would be in misinforming your kids. How could it be anything but perfectly fine -- exemplary in fact -- that the ammo you shoot with them is stuff you cared enough to make yourself? Why would you not tell them that the range fodder they're so gleefully shooting up was produced by your own efforts?

If, by chance, your kids aren't intimately involved with your shooting life -- think about that long and hard. This is the only childhood they'll get. This is the time of life they want to be with you and will care about something because you say it's cool. This is the precious little time you have to make an impression on them.

Don't waste it by shutting them out of your world ... or for the love of Pete, worrying about the "gosh-darned" neighbors!


...ETA...

Now, from a totally different perspective, I have to agree that your reloading equipment would be better off not exposed to the dirt, humidity, traffic, and piles of random junk thrown on the bench that a garage usually entails. This is a high-precision activity and some level of isolation from disturbing and damaging influences/activities is warranted. I wouldn't want to reload out in an unheated/un-air-conditioned garage, and certainly not with kids coming and going getting sports gear, bikes, etc., and wouldn't store my scales, measures, dies, and so forth next to the lawn mower, the cat litter, and the motor oil. If you really want to avoid inquisitive questions from random visitors, that would be one big benefit of moving your kit to a more suitable location anyway.

 

[dc.fireman]

I live in a somewhat isolated area - therefore, neighbors aren't an issue. Kids on the other hand... I have two. Both are keen to 'help' separate media from the tumbled brass. My son likes to fill the loading blocks for me. I'd like to think I'm passing something useful on to them someday. I've had the 'hobby' discussion twice so far - once with their pediatrician, and once with their school teacher. Both were politely reminded to mind their own damn business.

 

[dbro822]

My six year old little girl loves to help, and is very proud that she helped daddy "make the bullet" he got an elk with this year. That said she also knows not to tell everyone around, but kids are kids, so when it comes time to go to the school and have a little talk with her schools officials we will cross that bridge.

 

[Old krow]

How do you guys handle reloading in your life?? Do you hide in a closet/cave far from site and nosy neighbors/kids. Do you have your setup somewhere people might see it like I do in the garage?? If people ask, do you avoid the subject and steer discussion away?? Or, do you confront it head on?

I treat it like any other hobby except for the obvious hazards. I do lock some of it up, but it is more for security against theft or fire than anything else.
I converted the spare bedroom into my reloading room, but not to hide it. I did that because of the humidity here and the cooler temperatures in the house. It's a bonus that you'd have to be in my house to see the operation at all.
I don't worry about my neighbors. If they don't like it would be their problem, not mine. It just so happens that they know and we get along really well.
My son is actively involved. I personally do not see any merit in keeping it a secret from him. All it would do is create some sort of mystique anyway.
Most of the time if someone asks me about it, it is probably somebody from work or some friend of a friend. I generally don't avoid it. I don't normally tell anyone, but if they ask I don't hide it.

 

[jacksgd]

I have never found anything wrong with telling the truth, especially when it involves our rights and freedoms.

 

[evan price]

It's telling that the liberals in your neighborhood have you so indoctrinated that the simple act of reloading has become equivalent to a dirty sex act that you have to hide.

Reloading is legal, safe, and fulfilling. So your liberal neighbors find out you shoot and reload. What are they gonna do, light torches and come run you out of the neighborhood? You've got the guns, they don't!!

Tell your kids exactly what you are doing, show them how to do it, get them interested, get them shooting when they are big enough. Heck, offer to take your neighbors' kids shooting. I do. It's converted a number of anti liberals to liberal gun owners.

It's been my experience that kids figure out what you are doing anyway, and if you talk about it openly they are a lot less curious and don't tend to mess with your stuff trying to figure it out for themselves. Make it a "secret" and they will do their best to sneak around and see what's so exciting Dad has to do it in private.

 

[Nushif]

Well, this highly liberal guy has his reloading bench sitting in the middle of the apartment living room. I guess we have to revise that stereoty- truth.

That being said I don't know why you're hiding it either. Be a good example in safety, be open, courteous and respectful of your libe- bad neighbors and don't act like a threat. Not too hard right?
I don't think you have anything to hide. Of all my highly anti gun friends not one has ever complained about me carrying, reloading or being the local gun nut.

Relax, enjoy an awesome hobby and bring more people into the fold. By the by. Calling them liberals like it's a bad thing isn't helping, folks.