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Would you take a 2 year old to a Gun show?

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IdahoSkies

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I was planning on attending a local gun show this week, (i'm in the market for a new pistol). Somethings came up that my wife has to attend to for most of the day so I will be in charge of our 2 year old for most of the day.

Just wondering how folks felt about this (especially others with kids). I have not made up my mind either way yet, just trying to see things from all sides. Thanks.
 
I would rather not take a 2 year old anywhere,but then I don't have grandkids yet. Other than that I can't see why a gun show would be any different than anywhere else. The behavior there will be better than most sporting events.
 
I see small kids there all the time and have no issue with it. I wouldn't, but only because I want to devote my full attention to shopping. In other words, it's all about me!
 
Depends on if he/she could behave themselves. I'd certainly take either of mine with me. If they can't behave or if you are unable to control them, I wouldn't beset that upon the public and dealers.

Even though a 2-year old can walk, you'll probably have to carry them the whole time. Keep that in mind also.
 
You will need to keep the kid in the stroller and realize your ability to seriously peruse the aisles and tables will be severely limited - you'll be keeping one on your kid so your focus on things won't be best. Two year-olds get tired real quick, and as I am sure you are aware - start whining and fussing - need to be changed, etc....(been there done that a long time ago).

If the child is as inquisitive as most, they he/she will be trying to grab things- not always appreciated by the person behind the table.

Just some things to think about - you know your kid better than anyone
 
In your case, I wouldn't. Not so much because of any safety reasons, but in a crowded area with so many people and so many shiny to grab, keeping an eye on the child would pretty much ensure that I didn't get a good look at anything. I'm not talented enough to properly inspect a pistol for purchase while wrangling a child.

Chances are, a 2-year-old is not going to be enamored with the gun show and probably get frustrated he will not be able to see what is on the tables unless you are holding him and then you'll be unable to really look at things. He'll probably get restless long before you are done looking. If you were just going window shop for a few minutes, that would be one thing, but since you want to make a purchase I think you might want to try another day. It might be a more enjoyable time for both of you to hit the zoo or something.
 
Like others, it would be dependent on the temperament of the kid in question. I've done it with a year old which was fine, but he also just stared at everything in wonder while being carried. A 2 year old might be really curious about things that he/she would not be allowed to touch which would cause frustration.
 
I don't see a problem with it as long as you keep control of them. I would take one of my grandchildren if I were of a mind to carry around 20-30 lbs (or whatever they weigh). But with my back that won't be happening anytime soon.

The show around here is so crowded and the rows are so small it's all I can do to get down a row by myself with what ever firearm I'm carrying. I wouldn't be able to get through with a stroller or allow them to walk on their own so carrying them would be my only option.
 
I have gone to gunshowes with my child when she was two. It really will depend on the child and how well behaved they are. I used a stroller and it was a great help when I loaded it up with ammo cans :evil:
 
I was a single father before my marriage in 2003....I took my kids everywhere, except dipnetting on the Chitna...too dangerous.

My children were young when I moved to Alaska, and daycare cost a fortune, so, when the gunshows came up, I took both my son and my daughter. They had a ball, and everyone was very nice to them...both new better than to randomly touch without asking...

Depends on the child.
 
I'd only have the same concerns that a two year old in any other store would create. If they're a handful at walmart, they'll be a handful at a gunshow. I seriously doubt the environment itself would pose any intrnisc danger beyond what an average 2 year old is capable of creating in a more mundane environment.
 
I took my 2yr old daughter to a show once. Not a bad experience at all. I used a stroller and would suggest one if possible also. Mostly everyone ( LEO, dealers, patrons) were all very cool with it. Everyone was happy to see A: a baby girl and B: that i was "raising her right" lol.
YMMV, good luck!
 
Been there, done that, got the stained T-shirt to prove it (grape sucker). I carried my 2 year old on my shoulders, worked well until we where near any type of taxidermied animal or decoy, then we had to stop and pet it (that got old fast).

I would do it again and plan to, we both had a blast.
 
Absolutely. Probably one of the safest places you could ever hope to be. The ride in the car on the way to the show is what you have to be concerned about.
 
Instead of a stroller, how about one of those "baby backpacks." That way your hands are free, and baby can look down at all the shiny stuff. Baby still might get frustrated at not being able to touch, but at least your hands are free to fondle the merchandise.
 
I used to take my daughter to gunshows when she was really little but I quickly realized that it's just not the place for small kids. It's not the guns it's the crowds. You are tying up a lot of space everytime you stop at a table to look at guns if you have a stroller. If the child is walking and the crowds are thick (as they are at the local shows in my area) then you run the risk of having your kid stepped on by those with tunnel vision.
It's your choice but I really don't think that a gunshow is the place for a very small child if it's crowded. It's hard enough getting to a table to look at guns without having someone trying to push a stroller through the crowds.
 
As another poster wrote, it depends on the child and the parent.
I would suggest you do not, no matter how well behaved both of you are, I don't believe it would be fair to the child, yourself, dealers, and the other folks at the show.

There will always be other shows, enjoy the time to bond with your two year old, and watch some football together.
 
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