11-year old boy shoots intruder

[Mike S]

You are correct as far as Texas law goes, but I'm not sure if Alabama has a similar statute.

Regarding why the kid was able to find a pistol readily available, it may have been in response to the two previous burglaries of their home the news reporter mentioned. When the threat level increases, so does a homes security posture.

I understand when the threat increases so does you attentive and readiness. I have 4 boys, 8, 10, 13, & 15, none of which have access to the firearms we have in our household. My questions come from is it better to be prepared and have a gun that available or keep them fully secure. (FYI - I keep a small safe by my night stand so it's available to my wife and I, should that be necessary)

Also, any advise is appreciated. I am new to having firearms in my household and I want to know to be prepared as possible but as safe as possible.

Thanks

V,
That's a balance that each individual will have to guage based on their own circumstances. Since firearms are new to your household, I'm assuming that they are also new to your four sons, and perhaps to your significant other as well. If this is the case, I'd suggest first getting yourself as familiar & comfortable with them as possible (with a huge focus on the safe handling aspect of firearms), then introducing the entire family to them (from a competent, but family-friendly, instructor if needed). I'd especially harp on the 3 primary rules of gun safety (muzzle discipline; trigger finger discipline; unloaded until ready to use, but ALWAYS treated as if it's loaded).

I'd suggest that most people's situations don't call for keeping a loaded gun on the coffee table or otherwise within arms reach, although I've had at least one client who's situation in SE Austin made him feel compelled to always have a loaded gun on him, as well as a loaded shotgun bedside at night (his kids were grown & out of the house, though). Without knowing the crime rate or the details of your neighborhood, I'd offer to you that keeping a holstered pistol on you at all times should suffice as a good balance of 'preparedness' versus 'fully securing your firearms' (if it's on your person, I'd consider it secured & not accessible by the kids or other unauthorized people). Some of us consider this as standard practice, whereas some would consider it overboard to carry at all times, even at home. To the latter, I offer the home invasion last year in Houston (seemed like a nice neighborhood from the news footage) where the homeowner was jumped while letting his dog out to pee in the morning. Not an everyday occurrence, but bad things happen to good people.

So as to not ramble on too long, here's a few more things to consider:
- If you have a pistol on you all day, there's going to be occasions where you remove it. SECURE IT!
- You mentioned the small safe you have bedside for storing the pistol at night. Make sure it's a quality design, & secured to the nightstand. (https://www.wired.com/2012/07/gun-safes/ & http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcweberto ... e1da31303b will explain what I mean by this)
- A big part of your question seems to revolve around your kids. Always remember that their frontal lobes aren't fully developed, so no matter how disciplined they are, they are still succeptible to doing dumb stuff (a female's frontal lobes start working in the early 20's, & a male's frontal lobes kick in around the mid-20's, or so the story goes...). Dumb stuff with a loaded firearm can be catastrophic, & sometimes fatal. Young people have been raised around loaded guns for a couple centuries in America, largely without incident. Our culture has changed rapidly in the past couple decades, so be sure to instil a healthy respect for firearms with your kids.

Hope this helps.

Very respectfully,
Mike

[Javier730]

You are correct as far as Texas law goes, but I'm not sure if Alabama has a similar statute.

Regarding why the kid was able to find a pistol readily available, it may have been in response to the two previous burglaries of their home the news reporter mentioned. When the threat level increases, so does a homes security posture.

I understand when the threat increases so does you attentive and readiness. I have 4 boys, 8, 10, 13, & 15, none of which have access to the firearms we have in our household. My questions come from is it better to be prepared and have a gun that available or keep them fully secure. (FYI - I keep a small safe by my night stand so it's available to my wife and I, should that be necessary)

Also, any advise is appreciated. I am new to having firearms in my household and I want to know to be prepared as possible but as safe as possible.

Thanks

I will not advise you on how to store your firearms but I will recommend teaching your boys about firearms safety and how to handle/not handle a firearm.

[vjallen75]

I will not advise you on how to store your firearms but I will recommend teaching your boys about firearms safety and how to handle/not handle a firearm.

I have talked to my boys about certain safety measures regarding firearms. I am sorry If I came off as wanting advise on how to secure them. The safe does it's job well enough for me. My questions only came from speculation regarding the current topic. Why was there not only access to a fire by the child but a loaded gun at that. Was safety from a BG more of a worry to them than their 11 year old son playing with a loaded gun (like Mike said children will be children). I am just curious as to everyday thinking to those on the forum that are parents as well.

Sorry my questions were not clear.

[RoyGBiv]

My kids started shooting at around 5-6 years old. By the time they were 11-12, they were pretty bored with it. Too bad on the one hand (always had fun with them at the range), good for safety on the other. Every kid is different, you have to make your own call about yours. I'd never advocate leaving loaded guns around the house. However in this case an 11y.o. having access to a loaded gun stopped a robbery and possibly much worse.

[Javier730]

I will not advise you on how to store your firearms but I will recommend teaching your boys about firearms safety and how to handle/not handle a firearm.

I have talked to my boys about certain safety measures regarding firearms. I am sorry If I came off as wanting advise on how to secure them. The safe does it's job well enough for me. My questions only came from speculation regarding the current topic. Why was there not only access to a fire by the child but a loaded gun at that. Was safety from a BG more of a worry to them than their 11 year old son playing with a loaded gun (like Mike said children will be children). I am just curious as to everyday thinking to those on the forum that are parents as well.

Sorry my questions were not clear.

No I meant I personally wouldn't advise, not that you shouldn't. Sorry for the confusion.

My kids started shooting at around 5-6 years old. By the time they were 11-12, they were pretty bored with it. Too bad on the one hand (always had fun with them at the range), good for safety on the other. Every kid is different, you have to make your own call about yours. I'd never advocate leaving loaded guns around the house. However in this case an 11y.o. having access to a loaded gun stopped a robbery and possibly much worse.

My son started shooting at about 5 and got tired by 8. I think he likes the idea of going to the range more than he actually likes it.

[jmorris]

You are correct as far as Texas law goes, but I'm not sure if Alabama has a similar statute.

Regarding why the kid was able to find a pistol readily available, it may have been in response to the two previous burglaries of their home the news reporter mentioned. When the threat level increases, so does a homes security posture.

I understand when the threat increases so does you attentive and readiness. I have 4 boys, 8, 10, 13, & 15, none of which have access to the firearms we have in our household. My questions come from is it better to be prepared and have a gun that available or keep them fully secure. (FYI - I keep a small safe by my night stand so it's available to my wife and I, should that be necessary)

Also, any advise is appreciated. I am new to having firearms in my household and I want to know to be prepared as possible but as safe as possible.

Thanks

Currently I have four firearms about the house (two pistols, rifle, shotgun), not counting the one on me, but we do not have any kids in the house. When we did one was in an easily accessible Gun Vault but my oldest, from about 14 on, had the combination. The youngest, my dear sweet airhead, never had it. Other firearms were in a secure location

When the grands come over for a visit the firearms get relocated. The oldest granddaughter (about 7) I would trust to leave them alone. The 4-year old grandson, son of dear sweet, may never get to touch one his whole life.

IMHO, introduce the kids early, get them over the Hollywood fascination, make sure they know when and why firearms should be used. But you may still be in my situation. Dear sweet was a walking advertisement for Nike: Just Do It. No judgement and didn't think about the consequences.

It's a constant balancing act between safety and accessibility. When someone is trying to kick the door in or you hear glass break at 2am can you, in the dark, adrenaline flowing, open that safe? Even in the old days my carry pistol laid on the nightstand, next to a spare magazine and high power flashlight.

[vjallen75]

V,
That's a balance that each individual will have to guage based on their own circumstances. Since firearms are new to your household, I'm assuming that they are also new to your four sons, and perhaps to your significant other as well. If this is the case, I'd suggest first getting yourself as familiar & comfortable with them as possible (with a huge focus on the safe handling aspect of firearms), then introducing the entire family to them (from a competent, but family-friendly, instructor if needed). I'd especially harp on the 3 primary rules of gun safety (muzzle discipline; trigger finger discipline; unloaded until ready to use, but ALWAYS treated as if it's loaded).

I'd suggest that most people's situations don't call for keeping a loaded gun on the coffee table or otherwise within arms reach, although I've had at least one client who's situation in SE Austin made him feel compelled to always have a loaded gun on him, as well as a loaded shotgun bedside at night (his kids were grown & out of the house, though). Without knowing the crime rate or the details of your neighborhood, I'd offer to you that keeping a holstered pistol on you at all times should suffice as a good balance of 'preparedness' versus 'fully securing your firearms' (if it's on your person, I'd consider it secured & not accessible by the kids or other unauthorized people). Some of us consider this as standard practice, whereas some would consider it overboard to carry at all times, even at home. To the latter, I offer the home invasion last year in Houston (seemed like a nice neighborhood from the news footage) where the homeowner was jumped while letting his dog out to pee in the morning. Not an everyday occurrence, but bad things happen to good people.

So as to not ramble on too long, here's a few more things to consider:
- If you have a pistol on you all day, there's going to be occasions where you remove it. SECURE IT!
- You mentioned the small safe you have bedside for storing the pistol at night. Make sure it's a quality design, & secured to the nightstand. (https://www.wired.com/2012/07/gun-safes/ & http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcweberto ... e1da31303b will explain what I mean by this)
- A big part of your question seems to revolve around your kids. Always remember that their frontal lobes aren't fully developed, so no matter how disciplined they are, they are still succeptible to doing dumb stuff (a female's frontal lobes start working in the early 20's, & a male's frontal lobes kick in around the mid-20's, or so the story goes...). Dumb stuff with a loaded firearm can be catastrophic, & sometimes fatal. Young people have been raised around loaded guns for a couple centuries in America, largely without incident. Our culture has changed rapidly in the past couple decades, so be sure to instil a healthy respect for firearms with your kids.

Hope this helps.

Very respectfully,
Mike

Mike,

Thanks for your reply. I have introduced the family to having firearms in the household but like you said they are still young and I do keep a close eye on them. I do plan on having the firearm on me at all times until bedtime, at that point it will be secured within the safe. The crime rate in my area is really low, there has been an increase in the surrounding areas in shootings involving firearms it seems. I want to be prepared and have my family prepared, but I'm not willing to sacrifice them having access to a loaded firearm. My questions derive from the OP starting the 11 year old kid had access to the 9mm firearm.

I was/am curious as to what the forum thought of this event and what you guys do to be prepared.

Again, Mike, thanks for your reply. I do appreciate any advice given!

[vjallen75]

My kids started shooting at around 5-6 years old. By the time they were 11-12, they were pretty bored with it. Too bad on the one hand (always had fun with them at the range), good for safety on the other. Every kid is different, you have to make your own call about yours. I'd never advocate leaving loaded guns around the house. However in this case an 11y.o. having access to a loaded gun stopped a robbery and possibly much worse.

My plan is to teach them about firearm safety and teach them how to properly use a firearm. As young boys we were all curious about things, just sometimes we knew better. I took my oldest to the range with me a few weeks ago, even though he could not bring himself to shoot he now has a better understanding of how they operate and that they can be dangerous.

[vjallen75]

Currently I have four firearms about the house (two pistols, rifle, shotgun), not counting the one on me, but we do not have any kids in the house. When we did one was in an easily accessible Gun Vault but my oldest, from about 14 on, had the combination. The youngest, my dear sweet airhead, never had it. Other firearms were in a secure location

When the grands come over for a visit the firearms get relocated. The oldest granddaughter (about 7) I would trust to leave them alone. The 4-year old grandson, son of dear sweet, may never get to touch one his whole life.

IMHO, introduce the kids early, get them over the Hollywood fascination, make sure they know when and why firearms should be used. But you may still be in my situation. Dear sweet was a walking advertisement for Nike: Just Do It. No judgement and didn't think about the consequences.

It's a constant balancing act between safety and accessibility. When someone is trying to kick the door in or you hear glass break at 2am can you, in the dark, adrenaline flowing, open that safe? Even in the old days my carry pistol laid on the nightstand, next to a spare magazine and high power flashlight.

I understand where you are coming from, I would trust my 15 year old with having the combination because I trust him to be safe. Now the other 3, that would come with more trust and understanding possibly. The Hollywood fascination as you put it is what worries me about the other 3, especially my 10 y.o.

I do need to practice opening the safe at night so I can be prepared incase someone attempting to kick the door in. I know there is more I need to be prepared for, like I said my curiousness came from the child having access to a loaded firearm.