Teaching Gun Safety

[brassdog]

Well, I started yesterday when last night was Dad's night with my twin 4yr old girls. I first taught them what to do when they encounter a firearm without an adult present and then play acted a few senerios with them. Afterwards, I let them see and touch my rifles and shotgun with me present. The main thing I stressed to them repeatedly was that they could only do so with me but if they wanted to all they had to do was ask me.
I also pointed out that my storage area (a la walk-in closet with deadbolt) and gunlockers were "off limits" at all times. Yet, if they wanted to see them all them had to do was ask me.

When my wife come back home and the girls were put to bed, I told her what I did. At first, her eyes went wide : and then she admitted that what I did was a positive thing to do.
I'd just got a phone call from her today saying that one of my little girls had "outted" me to her. Saying to her during a potty training session that " Daddy has guns and can I have some goldfish crackers?" To her credit my little girl when questioned by my wife said "But I only touch with Daddy..."

Now, I looking for advice and ideas on how to teach them not to tell everybody they meet. Do any of you have similar situations?

Thanks

 

[pax]

brassdog ~

Good for you! Sounds like you're on the right track with the girls.

What I did with my kids about talking to everyone was simply explain that there were some things we talk about "only at home" and "only to the people who live with us." (The latter being a defense against anti-gun extended family members, may not apply in your case.) This worked for us because we'd already built a foundation of some words being "bathroom talk" (eg, the kid gets mad or just wants to say "poop" for some reason, we would get up, walk him to the bathroom, and let him yell "poop" to his heart's content).

I know that seems a bit far afield from telling friends your daddy owns a gun, but the basic concept is the same -- some words are okay in the bathroom but not okay in the living room, and some conversations are okay at home but not okay in public. It's all part of teaching them how to relate to other people and get along in civilization.

Hope that makes sense. Umm, hate to be a shill, but do stop by my site, www.corneredcat.com . There's lots of stuff there about kids and guns and you might find something else of value to you.

pax
mom to five very active boys

 

[svtruth]

Excelent

You have to gun-proof the children. Even if your guns are always under lock and key, they could be exposed at a friend's house.
And it is a foundation for self-preservation that can extend to all areas of their lives.

 

[brassdog]

Pax,

Thanks for the reply. As a matter of fact, your website is one of my listed favorites. I do understand the anti-gun extended family since its' the girls' aunt. Whew!! What a handful, My wife and I are just getting ready for that day when she hears this because she's one of those who thinks that she knows what's best for everyone.

Will keep up "thehighroad" and do what is right for me and my family though.

 

[DC-Loudsound]

Good Job

Good Job ! Start them young ... safety first.

 

[xds&gsps]

Excellent work on teaching the kids while they are young. We taught our kids in a similar manner & have had some experiences with it.

One proud pap moment was: Around Halloween time last year we went over to my parents house & my Dad had a crossman air rifle out the night before to get rid of a dog that was threatening some visitors at their house & had forgotten to put it away (dang that old age ) my kids were playing in the front room & found it stuck behind the couch & came running "Dad Dad we found a gun behind the couch!!!!!" I was pretty pleased with my young ones (ages 7 & 5 at the time) something that I had taught them actually sunk in.

About your question about getting them not to tell everyone they meet about our guns. We have tried to help them understand that we carry guns to protect our family & telling other people (strangers that might want to hurt us first if they know we are carrying) could jeopardize that safety. They have been pretty good about it. They have told a few people that are friends/family that didn't know that we carry. My Mom in particular had no idea that I carried until my son told her. I had carried for 4 years at least once a week at her house w/out her knowing. (She is not a fan of guns & it never came up yes I know I should use the opportunity to try & educate her it is a long story not going to go into right now)

Anyway hope I didn't hijack your thread at all with my stories.

PS Pax I love your website I hadn't seen it before it is excellent & gave me some good ideas for the younger ones that are coming up.