When to tell my kids????

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I highly reccommend that book linked above. Small but powerful in instruction. 'take away the forbidden fruit syndrome' and they wont get your guns behind your back. My copies long gone and my kids are grown, but it helped a lot.

Must read.

Must read.
 
Educate, Educate, Educate, Educate and Educate EVEN MORE!

The "NO MYSTERY" thing is taught in Child Psych and Psych 101...be open with your kids about everything they want to know and introduce them to things that they dont already know.

Guns are not accesible in my house, yet my kids know I have a loaded gun on my at all times. They also know the type, capacity and ammo I carry.
They just know alot about guns.........Its no big deal to them.

Friends houses were the reason I taught my kids......Its already paid off.

Its never to early to introduce guns to children.....never. The level of introduction does depend on the age and characteristics of the child.

Its funny....my ex is still very leary of me having loaded guns close.
I showed her something the other day...she dropped by to check on some stuff and I was molding a couple of hoslters.....my daughter came up and said HI....
My ex instantly looks at the guns and says....."Those arent loaded are they?....I know, absolutely STUPID question....but I knew she was worried about the gun/kid thing. I took one of the "molds" out and tried to hand it to my daughter....she instantly said...NO THANKS. My ex was surprised.
I asked her why she didnt want it.........."ITS LOADED"......my ex started to dance......but my daughter and I both said......"You have to treat it like its loaded all of the time"........I then cleared the gun, slide back and handed it to my daughter again. She looked up the grip housing and in the chamber....verified for HERSELF it was not loaded. And explained the whole thing to my ex..................LOVE IT. My daughter just turned 7 and has forgotten more than my ex will know...........................................

Shoot well
 
i am still young, so i am sure there are others might have better suggestions. but i am going by how i was raised and i believe it worked very well.

i have been around guns since i was little. I am 20 now. I was shown the guns and tought about them probably like age 5 or 6. my grandpa told me that they could hurt me or others if not handled properly. and that i wasn't to handle it unless my gandpa handed to me first. and i was never to point it towards anyone for any reason.

be stern but not overbearing, if a child is told never to touch something that just deepens their curiosity.

i don't know what you have. but i would let the 6 year old hold something smaller just to break any curiosity he might have. wait a few more years for the 3 year old. then i would go to wal-mart buy him a $15.00 Red Rdyer BB Gun, a 15.00 Lockable Hardcase, and a $2.00 master lock. and let him or her know it is theirs but are only allowed to use it when you are with him. and keep it on top of your safe.
 
Things get tougher in an "anti-gun" area. The children should be taught that these are among the things that belong in the family and are not discussed with outsiders. The NEA is fanatically anti-gun and so are a lot of teachers. If one of the kids tells his "Brady gang" teacher that "Daddy has guns", ten minutes later your house will be surrounded by the SWAT team, a company of national guard tanks, ten thousand cops and a half million social workers. The latter group makes sure your kids are taken away to be raised by the state in a politically correct home and to see that you are given a life sentence for child abuse for letting your kids actually see a gun. Not to mention a hundred thousand lawyers ready to sue you for every crime ever committed since Cain and Abel.

Gun carriers also need to be very cautious with children. I am told it is highly embarassing when your delightful little 4 year old girl stands up in a shopping cart at the super market and informs the world at the top of her little lungs that "My daddy has a gun!"

Jim
 
I have two sons an 11 and 7 year old. We go shooting pretty often. They have always been around guns...as have I.

They each have their 'own' guns and bows as well.

They know never to touch one unless I am helping them or hunting w/ them. Even on the range, when a fellow shooter offers them his cz or whatever - their answer is always 'no'. Usually the adult gives some confident coaxing - their answer is still a polite 'no, not unless my daddy helps me.' It's the same answer I gave until I was of age.

I think that it is very important for them to know to call an adult if they see a gun left out. All of mine are in a safe or double locked (aluminum case + trigger lock.) None are loaded - ammmo is stored seperately. But, a neighbor may not have his/her gun stored as secure as mine...therefore the "hands off / adult now" education.

I am also a little overly protective about 'spending the night' - pointedly asking about gun storage in the house prior to approval. I know that some people can't afford a decent scope, let alone a safe...

My two cents,

LW

PS I always knew where my dad's key to his case was when I was little - I never went into his gun cabinet w/o permission - some were/are kept loaded. When we visit his house - I still follow that rule - it's not only safe but polite.
 
I would take a six year old (and maybe even a three year old if allowed) to the range to let them hear the bangs. Then they will know that firearms are serious business. Also, since you probably want to pass the shooting legacy down to them, get them involved with air rifles so they can learn about gun safety and develop basic shooting skills. I've read quite a few posts about parents starting their kids off with BB guns and finding that it was a smooth transition when they were old enough to shoot firearms that go bang and pack some kick.
 
3 is too young and he won't remember anything you teach him anyway. His attention span is too short.
" He just bought his son a Red Ryder BB gun last Christmas. He keeps it locked away with all the other guns. When Christian (son) ask to go out shooting Doug gets the BB gun out and takes him shooting." Sounds like a good plan for the 6 year old.
The son of the guy that owned the gun store I worked in shot a 19 oz., .44 Special, Charter Arms Bulldog at 9, so it depends on the kid.
"...don't EVER touch one if you see one. You know, the usual stuff that kids are taught in school..." Is just a crock that stupid teachers came up with. Properly educated kids that are allowed to shoot with da's supervision don't see firearms as a mystery. And kids that shoot don't get into trouble. Usually.
 
I agree with "do not hide them" Eventually curiosity will get the best of them. My kids were the same ages when I began teaching them about guns. I even went so far as to have them 'help' me clean then once in a while. Give them the spring, or guide rod and a rag. They loved it. They know they are NOT to touch any gun that may be in reach. I take them out to the range and let them enjoy the fun of target shooting. If they want to see one they have to ask ME, not mom or anyone else. I'll drop whatever I'm doing to open the safe and show them what they want.
 
I recall my father's wisdom. At about the time I started outdoorsy stuff (6 YO) I became enamoured with matches. My father's solution to the problem was let me use matches only in his presence. He taught me how to build a fire, how to use matches, and how dangerous they can be if used improperly. In short he remove the mystery. I didn't dare touch one while he was not around but as soon as he showed up I could ask for matches.

Shift to my grand child. My house has a stair between two floors. My daughter was scared of K-Bob killing himself on the stairs. She wanted a barracade at the top and bottom. . . .of extra height bolted into the studs. She wanted soft stuff on the stairs. . . . . . and on and on and on.

My response was, "hey, K-Bob will get to the stairs regardless of what you do, and then he will get hurt. Why not teach him how to use the stairs?" She agreed and I instructed K-Bob in how to use the stairs. K-Bob was 14 months at the time. Bottom line he knows how to climb up and down the stairs without supervision (eyes only), no barracades, no nothing. He's now 25 months old and we've had not one incident on the stairs. Matter of fact, we've had more physical damage to K-Bob on the driveway than the stairs.

In summary, remove the mystery for the older. Begin traiing the older child and let him/her serve as a overseer for the younger.
 
Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts

True...that's a few years down the road, and by that time they'll only go to the range and learn if they already have an interest, but that's where I learned most of the stuff I know now. (Rifle merit badge)
 
Hey blue 86 buick - you're dating yourself. The two major events where I learned about guns were (1) the Boy Scouts (proper NRA influnced training + a Merit Badge) and (2) tagging along with my Dad to shoot his skinny barrel M-10 .38 with other members of the local mid size city PD (not terribly impressive - even in circa 1963).

Mind you, Dad was a pretty good shot. But then he was wacking Chi-Coms in Korea with a BAR when he was 18. But a few (not most) of those PD guys in those days were'nt great shots. In those days, by yourself, in a '61 Plymouth, no body armor and a radio that only worked part time - there was less emphisis on weapons and more on "street smarts" and knowing the community you served. It all seemed to work out pretty well - we were probably safer then than we we are now. Oh the stories of guts and grit he used to tell.
 
...no offense intended...but... HA!:neener: Dating myself? Well, maybe things have changed since I left it...5 years ago...at the age of 16. I'm just 21. Last I knew there was still a .22LR range which was free for the shootin, and a 16 (mebbe 20) gauge or two at either 75 cents or a dollar a shot (lil foggy...it's been 5 years). There was a blackpowder badge too, but I never got around to that...wish I had, I might've bought one sooner!

I think Boy Scouts has a few flaws...but it's still pretty good. A lot of people would be a lot better off, if they went through the Scout program, and actually learned something too. For instance, I'd bet money we'd have a lot less anti's (and more proper gun handling) if more people took the rifle merit badge.
 
I'm pretty young. I still remember how I learned of them. We had a BB gun, and were allowed to shoot that, but only at the trap we had set up in the back yard. We knew that Dad had some other guns, but not to mess with them. I don't remember how old I was, but I was less than 8 years old when we went and shot 22 rifles. After seeing what happend to a can filled with water, the "guns are not toys" lesson really sunk in.
 
I got to consider the whole "Kids and Guns" issue rather suddenly, when my girlfriend became my fiancee, and moved in, with her two kids (11 and 7) from a previous marriage.

I had been keeping my guns out of sight and unloaded, but not particularly secure, until the kids started coming over. Once they were visiting a lot, I started locking the room that the guns were in. Once they moved in, I know I had to tell the kids, to remove the mystery.

I showed them, spoke to them about the rules of safety, and told them they were allowed to ask me any questions they wanted, any time they wanted, as long as it was only in front of family. And I asked them to not tell anyone outside of our family about the guns.

Then I built a electromagnetically-sealed, UPS-backed up, concealed gun vault in the house.

The kids know where it is, and a couple of friends who are shooters do also, but that's it.

Anyone want a concealed gun vault built for them? :D

-BP
 
When I was a teenager before going away for college, I often had a beer or two with my dad at the dinner table. Once I went away to school, I drank responsibly.

I've got another friend whose parents didn't let her get close to alcohol around the house. She STILL goes out and drinks way too much and acts like a 16 yr old hogging the spiked punch on prom night. She's nearly 30.
 
This thread got me thinking....
my plan is not to hide the fact that i have guns from my children, ill clean them out in the open, and ill answer any questions they have about them....when they want to handle them they have to learn the 4 rules....i figure if they are old enough to remember, understand, and comply with the BIG 4 then they are old enough to touch the gun
then maybe ween them into shooting with a BB gun and keep practicing the 4 rules so when they are old enough to shoot they are well prepared and have respect for firearms
BSR
 
Anyone want a concealed gun vault built for them?
Click to expand...

you make them to. i have been designing one for myself. i think i will integrate mine into the bottom of my nightstand.
 
I can't remember living in a house without guns. My Dad and my uncles hunted and shot targets so It was never a big deal. As in all things Iwould advise education over ignorance. Show them the guns, explain the difference between toy guns and real guns,remove the mystery, and above all, tell them the truth about what guns are for. In my experince, children have a great b.s. filter. They know when you are telling them the truth and when you're not. Now is a good time.
 
When I was a teenager before going away for college, I often had a beer or two with my dad at the dinner table. Once I went away to school, I drank responsibly.
Click to expand...

I think there's something to this. I started my kids at less than 5 yrs old and now let them keep loaded guns in their rooms (ages 16 & 17). My younger son comes to me the other day with his gun(s) and asked me to lock em up with the others. Reason? He's not quite sure about one of his friends, who might pick one up when he leaves the room to go get a drink or something. Thinking kids! Gotta love em.:cool:

As I understand it, a kids basic personality is formed between ages 3 and 6. If you teach them safety and realism between them ages, will it translate to safer kids later in life? OTOH, if you don't teach them safety at a young age but let them sit and watch the A-Team and such non realistic programs on tv, will they be less safe later in life? Hmmm. I think so.
 
My dad likes guns, but he isn't fanatically into them. He used them as a cop until he quit and then we had my granddads guns after he died.

He did a few things with us. The guns were never loaded. The ammo was kept hidden, the guns were hidden but not locked up. We only shot them occasionally when camping where the safety rules were drilled into our little thick skulls and none of us was ever interested in them when they were at home.

My parents NEVER NEVER let us own toy guns. I agree with this now. When I wanted a BB gun my dads response was "why not just get a .22, its just as dangerous". The idea being to learn to treat guns with respect, since kids will play cops and robbers with them and point them at each other.
 
Iv'e got 3 kids, all girls, one 3 year old and twins 1 1/2 years old. I have guns in several closets and one in a corner by the door, we live in the boonies, but my 3 year old knows not to touch daddy's guns because they go BOOM! And they are up high enough that the twins don't bother them untill they are old enough to understand. I agree that the best thing is to make kids familiar with guns, it takes the mystique away from them. I do keep loaded guns around but not where kids can get to them.
 
The first question I would ask you is, have your children expressed any type of hightened interest in the safe beyond natural curiosity? An example of this behavior would be you find them in the room looking at or fixating on the safe.

If not, based upon your statement of being in a relative non gun friendly area, I would suggest staying the course you are on until they are old enough to understand better about the weapons and that they shouldn't discuss them with anyone for any reason. Why bring attention if not needed.

On the other hand, if they do express a hightened interest, perhaps you should show them what is contained therein and then have a long talk about what their responsibility is (i.e. not to touch or tell anyone about).

I as a trainer who deals with parents and children regularly, have always advocated the practice of removing the mystic which will generally reduce the level of interest. However this DOES NOT reduce or eliminate the need to secure the weapons from them.

If you would like additional advice on this subject, please feel free to contact me of list.

Be Safe

Bryan S. Williams
Williams Associates Protective Services, LLC
www.wa-protective.com
 
WAPS:

Thank you. You hit the nail right on the head for now. My kids haven't shown any interest at all in the safe, and I think I will keep it that way for now.

To Everybody:

Thanks for the great advice, and the great reccomendations. I absolutely believe in removing the mystery of my firearms and will do exactly that before the time comes. My 6 year old girl has no interest in the safe or guns, so for now I'm just teaching her the basic rules at a slow pace. I really want her to like and respect guns, but if she doesn't care for them, that's fine. At least she'll know to respect the rules.

My 3 year old is pretending to shoot "bad guys" with his toy drill, and I've started teaching him the basics about such things....He's too immature to understand the danger of guns, but he now knows the rules; treat it as if it were loaded, don't put your finger on the trigger, etc" Even though he doesen't understand the reason for the rules yet, he KNOWS them and will ALWAYS remember them.

Thanks again everybody. I'll post on this thread periodically to let you all know what progress we're making. I think it will make a great reference thread for parents of young children.
 
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