social issues...being discrete

[thelaststand]

Most people who learn that I reload are interested in it. In the medical field there are a lot of really looney liberal people. I like to flaunt my gun ownership and what I do in front of them. My roommate and I were talking about my stack of 20, 30 round AR15 magazines, all loaded in my gun safe right next to my AR15 in front of some mega liberal colleges. Their faces remind me of a conservatives face when two gay dudes kiss in public. The gun topic in front of liberals is like homosexuals and conservatives, except the conservatives have learned to be tolerant of gays while liberals are still bigots towards gun owners.

You need to be open about it and out of the closet. In fact reload with your garage door open with a big sign in the front lawn that says "Don't disturb, I'm making 45 cal bullets in my garage".

 

[CraigC]

Go on about your business. Life is too short. Teach your kids what you want to teach them. You have nothing to hide. Do your thang and let people think what they will. If they judge you negatively because you shoot and handload, you didn't want to have anything to do with them anyway.


[

Mod Talk: Enough with the Liberal/Conservative bull crap! Lots of room under the tent here for anyone who's pro-RKBA. -- Sam

]

 

[1SOW]

I reload in the garage . If I had kids at home, I'd insure flammables and loaded ammo were stored where curious minds would stay curious until I could satisfy that curiosity personally.

Telling the truth is generally the best answer to any questions asked. 'How' you tell it is best determined by 'who' you're talking to. I see no need to advertise that I reload but don't hide it from anyone. I really enjoy sharing the hobby with those that want to learn, family friends or neighbors. If someone doesn't like it, that's ok too.

My son is grown with two daughters and both have shot pistols with us. It's a great opportunity to share your life with people you care about. They will remember the experience long after you're gone, hopefully with a smile on their face.

 

[Hondo 60]

I'm 51 years young.

When I was a kid, 5-10 years old my Dad worked weekends for a local cheese company.
We'd go out to the farms & pick up milk & take it to the dairy.

I LOVED going because I got to spend time with my Dad.

Most kids are no different today. They'd LOVE to spend time with their Dad.

 

[PsychoKnight]

I have a 5 and 6 year old girl. I am frank about the reloading tools and components, as I am about questions about sex. I have convered the study room inhto their pet and play room, but it also happens to be my reloading room as of two weeks ago. They've been playing with my jacketed bullets and making patterns with them since 2-1/2yrs old, we use correct terminology for everything. I have a guppy tank which breed every month or so, so that we can talk about life cycles. Just yesterday, my 6 yr old asked why boys have a wee wee and girls don't. I said boys and girls are just like the guppies. She totally understood and confirmed her suspicions by asking that I stick my wee wee into mommy's belly to make babies? I just smile and knod yes, and she says, "okay, I get it." Same with the guns, powder, primer, etc. I don't store explosive materials in the living areas, but they see the supplies come and go and understand which are incendiary and which are passive metals. I.E., they will never through primers or cartridges into the fireplace, but feel comfortable with jacketed bullets and empty cases. They know the difference and some of the chemistry behind reloading. Its a great way to interact with children and allow them to grow up being comfortable around firearms. They will then counter anti-gun sentiment they hear from their friends and their parents.

All that said, I would not reload in view of the street and the entire neighborhood watch. A whole-house fan can be installed in the garage vent for less than $200 (if there's no vent, now is a good time to install one to move all the carbon monoxide and noxious fumes), controlled through a switch (not temperature activated) and with the side door all the way open, and the garage door open about a foot, there's plenty of circulation to breeze through.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Lots of issues

Aside from the (assumed) anti-gun sentiments of your neighbors, they may have misgivings about their kids visiting a house that has guns that MAY not be properly secured, have flammables (or explosives - in their uninformed minds) or unconfined lead metal or lead fumes or other toxic chemicals their kids may be affected by.

Real or not, the fears of your neighbors may affect how they treat you and your children.

It is your right to ignore these things. I believe it is unwise. Be a good neighbor.

Don't hide anything, but DO keep it secure. For your sake as well as the sake of your kids and your neighbors' kids.

I trust we are not talking about real safety issues here (you have been already given good advice about securing your gear and components), but the PERCEPTION of safety and the PERCEPTION of responsibility.

Also, remember the signature line I read on another forum. "Say what you will, but we all know whose house you are going to come running to when the zombies start taking over the streets."

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

 

[KidDynamo]

Lost Sheep--good points, all of 'em.

FYI, for the record: I didn't leave out any primers, powder, books, shells, bullets etc.
And all my bullets are copper or jacketed (I'm not melting lead etc)

One consistent message I'm getting is to secure my powder/primers. I think it sounds like lock-n-key is the BKM here vs just keeping them out of sight.

 

[Mule]

My children grew up believing it was normal for people to eat meat, fish, mushrooms, berries and nuts harvested from the wild. They believed that ammo production was something everybody did. They learned to let ejected brass cool before picking it up. They knew that if they wanted to look at a firearm, all they had to do was ask and I would get it out of the safe and we would look at it together.

I would dis-assemble bic pens and rebuild them into 300 win mag cases. Nice novelty writing insturments the kids loved to share with their friends. It wasn't until a teacher made an issue about five fifth grade girls writing with them in class, that they realized that not everyone feels comfortable around brass and bullets.

Just last weekend my 5 y.o grandson helped build a box of 38's for his aunt at college. He is very proud of his work.

A couple of unarmed neighbors have stated that if the SHTF, they were coming to my house to get a gun. I quite frankly told them that wouldn't happen. If they wanted a gun, they should get one for themselves and get it now!

Everytime there is a storm and utilities fail, I am amazed at the folks that cannot take care of themselves.

Be self sufficient and be proud.

 

[blarby]

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.

Excellent, Nushif ! I think this fits right next to the helpfulness of owning scary "Freedom Rifles" simply because they scare the Anti's.

Back to the OP :

With that above mental kernel above sprouting : Ignorance breeds fear.

Children are in general fairly bright, as well as mentally malleable. They can be turned positively or negatively in any direction that supervised or unsupervised thought and action can direct them.

All of those gaps above get filled by you, the loving parent.

I believe that educating your children about the place and purpose of firearms and all the trimmings is as valuable as any of the great lessons of growing up; riding a bike, learning to swim, the birds and the bees- and carries an equal weight.

Who would you rather they learn about this stuff from ? You, or the neighbors ?

For example : Would you be stoked to learn that your kid got some great advice on how the stork really flies home from the guy who you loaned that 16" screwdriver to and haven't got back yet- or yourself ?

You can teach them the truth as you know it, and plant the good seed early.

Fearfulness of a tell-all or braggart child however are well reasoned : We were all kids who lived with the shield of " My daddy is bigger and badder than your daddy". How that hurdle is overcome in relation to firearms differs with each child, and each parent. Consult a Child Psych. - or your parents. Grandfathers seem to miraculously have the way to teach young men this one....worked for me anyway.

As far as the neighbors are concerned, unlearning a lifetime of decisions based on a poor education which turned into some perverse paranoia (ignorance- listed above) isn't likely to be something that you can change overnight, if ever.

Kinda depends on how well you know and build relationships with the people around you, I guess. It is however totally do-able... It certainly occurred with my wife.

 

[praetorian97]

I often debate the neighbor aspect internally too.

I love to be in my garage working on things with the door open on a nice summer night. But I will say I do get paranoid about neighbors peeking in on me cleaning my guns or reloading. Im pretty proud of reloading my own equipment and the firearms I own but thats over shadowed by my paranoia of someone staking out a potential place to rob.

 

[ForumSurfer]

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

This.

Never lie to your kids. Be up front and honest. They are curious, that is their nature. If you make these things off limits and don't answer their questions and let them get involved (as safely as possible), it is a recipe for disaster. They will become even more curious and look at Dad's stuff when Dad isn't around. If you lock it up, they will find a way in.

In short, just be completely honest with YOUR kids and let them get involved. Everyone benefits. My kids are the last people on this earth that I would want to misinform.

As far as neighbors go...I'm somewhat distrustful until I get to know them. "What is all that stuff?!" will get a different response than "Hey, is that a RCBS____ over there?!" I've lived next to anti's or pro's who went by the live and let live motto. I've also lived next to anti's who would probably call the bomb squad on me if they saw gunpowder and a press in my garage. I don't approach everyone the same.

 

[esheato]

My nearly 4 year old son spends a ton of time with me in the garage loading.

He loves to put cases in the loading blocks and dump powder into the cases while on my lap. He even pulls the press handle with my supervision. As far as I'm concerned, it's quality time and memories that I'll cherish forever.

On the other hand, his daycare doesn't allow gun talk, and while I initially fought this, I can understand where they're coming from so I don't push the issue. He understands that playing with or talking about guns is only for home. We also have a rule that he can handle guns any time he wants, as long as no other people are around...I want complete focus on him. He likes his Ruger 22/45 and a stainless Ruger Vaquero. Go figure.

It warms my heart when Friday night rolls around and I ask him what he wants to do on Saturday and he thinks about it for a minute and say, "Lets go shoot in the desert!"

As far as the neighbors, who cares....like most on here, I don't flaunt it but I am more than happy to share my hobby and get someone started.

I couldn't count the people that have been over, seen the setup and started down the reloading road. In fact, some amateur gunners in my office last week asked me if I could load for them. My response, "No, but you're more than welcome to come over, watch me for a bit, then load your own and decide if it's for you." I even loan manuals and other materials as pre-requisite reading prior to garage time...at least we're speaking the same language then.

As it turns out, one of my neighbors is a big hunter...it took six months before we connected on the gun level. I happened to notice him washing a stock pot after Thanksgiving...figured he fried a turkey. Not even close, he was boiling an elk skull for a mount. These days he spends his time in his garage loading 40, 300 WSM, 243 and 223. He still comes by with questions or reloading problems, but there's nothing better than walking next door to assist a friend.

 

[Steve Koski]

I live in a gun friendly state. I tell anyone who asks exactly what I'm doing.

 

[kingmt]

The way I see it if your going to hide it you must think it is wrong or your to lazy to stand up for your beliefs. I open carry every where but church & that's because I'm being to lazy to stand up for what I believe. I carry at church concealed manly because of guest that come & go. The people that I have close relationships with have found me out.

To open carry allows people to become comfortable & start asking questions. I even have strangers come up to me & ask questions about there local laws & rights. Most of the people that were uncomfortable with me carrying open has gotten so comfortable that they have ask me to help them get there permits. I have helped at least 10 anticarrying people get there permit, pick a pistol/revolver, & learn to use it. One being my sister.

I remember the day she fallowed me outside & asked "Why do you think you need to carry a gun everywhere you go?" I told her that in my so far short life I have already needed a gun 3 times & if I thought I would have needed one I would have never been there to start with. She & (but only a few) others have ever known what has happened. Some have found out & come to ask questions but I don't volunteer. Anyway about 2 months later her questions changed to why she should get on & now carries also.

Other then church the only time I conceal is if I'm invited to a gathering & the owner ask me to because of there guest. It is there property & I respect that but they also know if they ask me to come unarmed they don't even need to ask me to come. Most could care less anymore.

I know the question was about reloading but since I can't relate to your problem that way & I think me carrying open is as close as I can get to what you are experiencing I gave you this story.

 

[Shinbone]

My two daughters help me reload and have just recently started shooting, mainly 22lr for now. Ages 12 and 15. They love it. My 15 year old summed it up; "This is way more fun than it aught to be!" Wife comes along & shoots too.
We reload in the basement. A couple neighbors know about it. A guy two doors down from me shoots at the same range. I met him there for the first time. Didn't even know him until that day. It's been great.

 

[Creature]

Dont Hide it! There is NOTHING

wrong with telling the truth, especially when it involves our rights and freedoms.

 

[popper]

Biggest problem I see is that parents don't teach their kids to leave other people's stuff alone and keep out of other's business. Adults should have learned that. Two grandboys that shoot, two that don't - they all know I reload, but really have no interest. I believe that the laws state ' no loaded firearms accessible to minors'. I agree. curiosity, stupidity and anger killed the cat.

 

[Justin Holder]

I for one don't want to be known as "the local gun nut". There are certain people out there that can and will make your life a living he// if they decide they don't like you or what you do. You can try to ignore them but they certainly aren't ignoring you. I find its best to fly under the radar when it comes to people I don't know.

 

[duelist1954]

I started taking my kids to the range with me when they were 4 or 5 years old. I always let them handle any gun they wanted as long as I was there. And, if their friends came over, they could handle them too...as long as I was there. Because guns were never a mystery to my sons, they never needed to sneak them out to play with them. Never had a problem, and to this day when they are grown-ups they are responsible gun guys.

If you make it a big secret, that's when kids are naturally tempted to find out what all the secrecy is about.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I don't have any neighbors that aren't family...but even if I did it would be hard to hide. (UPS truck dropping off brass by the 1,000's)

My advice...don't hide it...be open about it.

Don't be ashamed of a hobby you enjoy and being "suspicious" about it around the kids will cause them to get the wrong impression of guns and shooting.

This is my son Daniel (4 years old)...he's mighty handy at the reloading bench. He can resize brass on a single stage press as good and as fast as any adult I've ever seen...I have already raised one son this way (now 18) he leaves for Parris Island this Sunday.

Thats a toy gun by the way...the holster is mine (for a Sig 229)


Shooting the 22 his brother gave him


He's proud of his brothers deer...

 

[45_auto]

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

Good thing you don't live in my neighborhood, I would go for option #3:

Toss a road flare into your powder supply.

 

[1stmarine]

Ridgerunner665,
Nice approach. Those are priceless moments in your life for both good firearms education and to exchange unforgivable experiences like anything else we do with our kids.
What makes us happy makes our kids happy. What makes them happy we should also share all the moments with them. No exceptions.

Everyone should keep it simple and keep it real.

 

[jcwit]

Good thing you don't live in my neighborhood, I would go for option #3:

Toss a road flare into your powder supply.

Seriously doubt you or anyone would get away with it. And visitation at the gray hotel is very limited, but boyfriends are always in demand.

I might add, very high road option, speaks well of yourself.

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

What to I do?

I sacrificed almost all of my retirement to buy a posted place up in the hills that cannot be seen from the road; steel gate accross the driveway, barbed wire, obstacles all over.

A couple local friends (sworn to secrecy) have seen my garage. My kids are all grown now but my grandsons do almost everything I do in the garage, it slows me down a bit (as I will them in 20 years God willing). My girls were shooting when they were 5 or 6, and still do.

We lived under tight security measures my whole career so keeping certain information "close" comes natural to us; my garage door still stays closed most of the time and especially during certain "operations"..........I un-plug and lock it if I have to go away.

I pack CW 24/7.

Sorry about the liberal neighbors; they should be avoided and left to their own demise, Yesser.

 

[Shoot66]

Not that it would help you, KidDynamo, but I am sincerely sorry for you. You are not doing anything illegal yet you are to hide... Some places things got really too far.
I live in Europe (which most of you guys do not have avery high opinion about ). Still, when there is good weather, I reload on my porch, with neighbours occasionaly stopping by to have a look.
Keep you hobby! Do no let them sour it!