Gungirl wrote:
Kids who have been taught about guns and gun saftey are going to be less curious. It Is excitement of the unknown and movie hype that leads to showing off in most cases. Not knowledge. We need to educate our kids on the truth, otherwise there is void and voids always want to filled.
I agree. Trying to keep kids in ignorance of weapons is a losing proposition with a high risk of a tragedy in the future.
I took the opposite course. I taught my kids gun safety as soon as they were old enough to understand it, took them to the range as soon as they were able to safely handle the firing cycle, and had them help me with the post range session cleaning.
I took them to gun shops, had FFL friends show them unusual guns that I didn't own, and I took them into the armory at the FBI Academy to see their equipment. I also brought real world situations I encountered in my work or in the news to the dinner table for discussion and learning.
The rule in my house was no one but my wife and myself touched a gun without direct permission and supervision, but anytime one of my kids wanted to see any gun, all they had to do was say so and I'd stop what I was doing and show it to him or her. There was no need to sneak around to get a look at one or mess with it to figure out how it worked. They understood fully what they were for, how they were used, and what happens when they're misused.
I never had any problems at all, and I knew the kids knew what to do if they encountered a gun somewhere else. kids are now CCW holders and active shooting sports participants in their respective states.
I consider that course of action a proven success.