I have two small girls and my husband and I own two guns. We keep our HK 45 handgun on the nightstand beside the bed with a full clip (none chambered) and the safety on, for protection. We also have a Mosberg 22 shotgun standing up in the closet, fully loaded (none chambered) with the safety on. We have always been open and honest with our girls about the guns. We even plan on taking the oldest shooting. I was wondering how other parents felt about this. The kids are never in the home unsupervised because I am stay at home mom and we have taught the oldest that if she is curious that she can come to us. I feel it's a safety issue having guns in my home. I feel more protected having them there but I was curious to know other parents feelings on this issue. In your opinion is it okay for us to keep our guns out in the open with our kids?
2006-10-02 14:50:13 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
my husband corrected me. It's a Mossberg 500. A shot gun.
2006-10-03 07:27:59 · update #1
Depends on how old the children are.
I'm in full favor of firearms safety and marksmanship training in the schools. Most of the fear exploited by the anti-gun folks is based on ignorance. I think that all children should know how to handle firearms safely, and be trained in their use.
I was taught starting at the age of 3. When I went to school in the lower grades, many of the students brought firearms to school, and hunted on their way home. There was never an incident at the school, and try to imagine what would have happened to one of these creeps that attack schools if the kids were able to protect themselves.
As long as the kids are trustworthy, have been well trained in safety, safety, safety, and safety, and have a chance to shoot in controlled conditions, there should not be a problem. Be sure they know not to show off to their friends.
2006-10-02 14:58:16 · answer #1 · answered by Gaspode 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think you're ahead of the game... only take them out now so that they can see the effects of the guns, don't wait. I've been shooting since I was 5 years old but remember going out to the range much earlier. We have three kids now and all of them (except the baby, he's only 3 months) know what guns are about and have taken the kids' safety classes.
I disagree with having any gun in an easily accessible area, especially without trigger locks. It's not so much my kids I worry about but other kids (and some adults) who don't have the respect or knowledge for the guns. Even with not having a round in the chamber and having the safety on it's too easy to disengage the safety and chamber a round.
2006-10-02 17:53:33 · answer #2 · answered by cgspitfire 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not going to read the rest of the answers instead going to answer first. My husband and I both have guns in the house, my 7 year old son has his own 22 as well and both my girls have guns. We hunt as a family and the kids all know gun safety and go to hunters safety courses as soon as they are old enough. My kids know you never mess with a gun unless an adult is right there and to treat every gun as if it is loaded BUT allo of our guns are locked away in a gun safe. I don't worry about my kids messing with them I worry about their friends when they are around. Just because I have taught my kids about guns and gun safety and they know how to respect a weapon other parents don't. Kids are curious and who is to say one of their friends won't go into the closet and find the gun then even with the safety on ( they can get it off ) you end up with a child dead or deriously injured. Could you live with this because I know I couldn't. At night my husband puts his handgun and clip in the nightstand, when we get up it goes back in the safe. All you have to do is turn your back for one second and a child can be killed by a handgun.
2006-10-02 16:40:16 · answer #3 · answered by Martha S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have guns in the house two and I have 3 kids and one on the way- BUT, I would never let my husband keep them out in the open. The keys are in 2 different spots out of their reach. They also know they are in the house because we have showed them and gave them stricked orders with them. My children are also not aloud to play guns because in my house guns are used to hunt and get food- not to shoot people and kill.
As far as you thinking that because you are a stay at home mom they can't sneak anything. How about when you are in the shower or even doing laundry thinking that the children are in their rooms. Or if you are outside with one kid and the other runs in just to go to the bathroom. Accidents happen!
2006-10-02 16:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by kelliemag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, to start with, kudos about being honest about the guns. Teaching your children to respect firearms will go a long way toward them not abusing them.
I think however, that having a clip in the weapon and it only on safety is asking for trouble. If you don't want to keep the weapons in a gun safe in your home (preferring to have them accessible), I would suggest get at least a barrel lock or something for each.
2006-10-02 15:03:03 · answer #5 · answered by Mee 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get trigger locks and locking gun cases...
In many states it is illegal to store guns in the manner you have described...
Hk 45 is a gun with a spring loaded clip over time under pressure the clip can malfunction refusing to chamber a round even when you need it..
A mossberg 22 is not a shotgun it is a rifle... which tells me you are not as educated as you should be... take a gun safety course and listen carfully to the statistics regarding guns used as home protection...
From mossbergs own webpage.. please note #2 and #3
http://www.mossbergintl.com/pages/safety.htm
Be a responsible gun owner and lock the guns safely away where they belong or remove them from the home... It only takes a second unsupervised for children to get where they are not supposed to be and into things they are not supposed to have... Think about that the next time you turn your back for a moment and have to wonder for a few seconds "Where is little Suzy?" It takes that amount of time or less for your child to get into mischief and your gun might just be that mischief...
2006-10-02 15:15:19 · answer #6 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I personally do not like guns in the home, even if it does have a safety on. You never know, it is just too risky and I would rather have a bat then a gun.
I understand that it is for protection however, I personally would never have one in the home especially with young children living there.
2006-10-02 15:18:32 · answer #7 · answered by Vicky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband is a cop, and he has to carry his all the time. We discussed this, and came to the conclusion that if he was at home, the clip and the gun would be separate (his duty weapon). As far as the other ones (shotgun and tactical rifle), if they are at home, they are unloaded with locks in them. We are going to teach them about guns from early on, and once they are old enough my husband is going to take them shooting. That way, they know what it is capable of, and hopefully it will scare them into not messing with them a little.
2006-10-02 15:08:42 · answer #8 · answered by emmadropit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Springfield XD9 at home. I too keep a clip loaded but nothing chambered. If I am home, then I don't have it locked up, but if I am out of the house and not carrying it with me, then I will lock it up.
It isn't just enough to talk to the kids though. Kids are kids, the lie, they sneak, and they don't mean bad by it, but I would be super sure they are never ever in your room without you.
2006-10-02 14:59:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I own a gun for protection and my husband carries one because he's a cop. We keep them locked, out of view, and ammo is not together with the guns. But if I need it, I can have it ready in less then a minute and a half. (Hubby times me.) Because of hubby's job, we have to be alittle more careful, and protect ourselves more than other people.
2006-10-02 19:29:45 · answer #10 · answered by impala_girl_64 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋