Ever since she has been old enough to shoot (age 5 or so), I have been gently explaining to her that there is evil in the world and not everyone can be trusted. I have also been explaining that sometimes calling the police isn't enough and we may have to protect ourselves or our loved ones. I didn't explain things in a way that makes her afraid to go out or enjoy being a young lady, just enough so that she is situationally aware more than most adults I know. She knows I carry pretty much everywhere.
The other night we were sitting down to dinner at a restaurant and she moved everyone around so that she was facing the main entry door. More than that, when my wife (who was ahead of me) started to sit in the other seat facing the door, my daughter immediately told her that was my seat and I HAD to be there. My wife said it didn't make a difference, but my daughter insisted it did and gave me a knowing wink. My beautiful little girl intentionally placed me in the best seat to react / protect if something happened while we were eating and also gave me the best view of the door. After dinner, she confirmed that was her reason for insisting on where I sit.
She is only 13, and yet, she gets the fallacy of gun control (and the reasons for supporting the 2nd) and has successfully argued many points against gun control during class debates at her school. If only our elected leaders would / could take a cue from some of our young people who actually seem to understand things better than they do.
As I said....so proud of her.
