Had to clear the house this morning

[getupatree]

Wanted to tell somebody other than friends or co-workers so here goes. About 6am I woke up to a distinct creaking noise our floor makes and something of mass moving across the hall it seemed. I though my wife is up and as I looked over she was in the bed and I was thinking did I dream that and she said "is there somebody in the house?" Immediately I went into my regime I had practiced in my head a hundred times.

I grabbed my Sig P220 (all Kahrs are carry only) with insight light out of the biobox on the nightstand and cleared the house checking the baby's room first. Luckily nobody was there and no entry noticed. Not sure what the heck it was.

MORAL of the STORY: Practice your routine and practice some more.

I will do more practice because in my head I was efficient and preparred but at the moment of truth I was kind of sloppy to be honest. No you can't be Jack Bauer but my positioning and scanning was not up to par.

I am glad I didn't hesitate but I did loose about 10 seconds IMO before my plan went into place.

If you don't have a biometric box I'd recommend them. It's the size of a bible and recognizes fingerprints in about 1-2 seconds. bolted down to nightstand top where I can get to immediately but secure from curious hands. I have this one the BIOSAFE and recommend it over the Gunvault any day. BRAND NEW BIOSAFE FINGERPRINT BIOMETRIC GUN BIO SAFE - eBay (item 190298576157 end time Mar-29-10 14:51:30 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190298576157&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXI8&GUID=db11cd021250a02681c79e77ffc563fe&itemid=190298576157&ff4=263602_263622)

[jeep45238]

I'd reccomend to stop keeping the pistol in a locked box that's dependent upon a functional battery, sensor, and nothing on your fingers when you're using it. I've been in a similar situation inside my home, and worse on the street, and I'm damn skippy happy that the box I used to keep things in at the time at home didn't malfunction on me - let alone if you happen to hear the noises when they're in your room. 1-2 seconds is way too much time.

Leave it in the open, or mount a holster to the furniture next to your bed so the trigger's protected, and it's a consistent fast easy reach.

[getupatree]

While I apprecaite your comments, that is not very responsible with a 3 year old in the house. Surely your not suggesting I do this with others in the home? Also, friends visit. When i was single it was a different story.

The box has a manual override and I have a key avail when needed. I can reach the box immediatly within arm's reach.

[jeep45238]

Yes, I'm suggesting it. Close/lock the bedroom door if needed. Teach/preach gun safety, do not make it the mystery item that kids will find and play with.

Haven't had a single issue with the 1.5 year old, the 5 year old, 7 year old, or 9 year old. They know I carry, they do not touch guns unless we're shooting in the back yard. Airsoft was a great primer until some of them got on real guns.

[ripley16]

If you have kids, and even if you don't, but especially if you have kids, you need to secure your firearms.

My house creeks and groans like a three hundred year old French farmhouse. A company of Marines could invade and I'd never know the difference. :o

[getupatree]

Well, to each his own but I personally do not leave loaded handguns where any child could physically access them. Mine will be taught safety but the OWNER has to paractice safety as well. Seems every accidental shooting starts with a quote "I never thought....". I do respect your personal opinion and as 2nd ammendment protectors we need to stick together, back to the topic however:

My original point was just to vent a little about the situation this morning and let some fo the readers here know about the biosafe and primarily to say it's worth practicing your routing physiclly and in the dark.

[hsart]

For me there are two issues here... protecting children and night intrusions.
As for the children issue, what works for me, is to keep a handgun with full magazine but no round in chamber, free in a relatively private spot by my bed, unlocked, as a two second delay in accessing the weapon from a safe is IMO unacceptable. All other handguns in the house are secure though. Have thirteen year old who absolutely knows the danger of guns, and also the defensive advantage of having one to protect home and family... she has grown up with respect for guns. Once she is older I will keep a round chambered. For now I will accept that I need to rack the slide before clearing the house or engaging the bad guy. Maybe the noise of the slide chambering a round will be enough to scare away the Bad Guy. If not then I know that I have a potentially lethal fight around the corner.
The clearing the house issue is one that needs some practice. Many issues involved here that one needs to address like is there a chance that the intruder will see you first because of a nightlight at the bottom of the stairs, or some moonlight illuminating you from a skylight or ... choose a thousand scenarios, and go through them in your mind for a solution. Maybe the BG is actually a drunk neighbor or sibling!! Know where your blindspots are. Night sights are great only if you can see your opponent or at least a silhouette. Personally I would never shoot a silhouette unless I made a positive ID as a BG... could be a friendly. My solution is a streamlight mounted on my home defense weapon (a Glock 19). With my backup home defense weapon (a PM45) I use a Surefire 6p hand-held light as there is no mounting rail on the Kahr. Crimson Trace does not work for me in a no-light situation as I want to know exactly who I am firing at. In any case I would bet that less than 5% of gun owners have ever thought of one of the home defense issues -scary thought. Know your home in pitch dark, potential floor creaks and all. And train for that time where your family's life is at stake.

[deadhead1971]

I think corbon has a line of anti-ghost bullets.

I also have a child, and I (rightly or wrongly) keep my loaded guns in my closet on the shelf--about 6.5 feet high off the floor. If I jump out of bed, I can get a loaded gun in my hands in 5 seconds.

I had a situation this weekend. I carry something (PM9 or LCP) in my pocket while I work outside. I was working in the yard this weekend with some hedge trimmers cutting up some bushes. I was armed with the PM9. The trimmers made a lot of noise. Here I am in my yard, on my property, about 50 feet from the edge of the road, with my back to the road cutting shrubs and minding my own business when all of a sudden, I was startled by a solicitor who had snuck up to within 10 feet behind me and wanted me buy $20 worth of coupons. I was mad at myself for being caught off guard when I am usually in code yellow.:o

[mr surveyor]

I grew up during the time (and geographic area) where every home had at least one locked and loaded firearm immediately accessable to the father. My grandfather always had an old, well worn, loaded single shot 12 ga standing in the corner by his bed. His was not so much for potential intruders since they were dirt poor, but for taking out the occassional possum he could hear rattling around in his old tin garage in the middle of the night. My Dad, kept his old Model 10 S&W loaded on the shelf in his closet. All of us grandkids and kids were well trained and very obedient when it came to things of such serious nature. But, that was also during the time when respect and obedience were demanded and expected. I personally kept a loaded revolver in the top drawer of the night stand by my bed, and a loaded rifle in an open scabbard hanging on my bed post from the time I got married, until that bed was moved into my son's room when he was about 5 years old. He was well aware that he was to never touch either of my accessable firearms, nor was he to ever venture into our bedroom without permission. Then again, as parents, we knew where he was at all times, and what he was doing. I now have grandkids that are in and out of the house quite a bit, and they have been raised by the same methods. Whenever my son, or now my grandkids had/have friends over, they are made aware of the house rules on where they can, and can not venture, and they are watched as closely as my kid was.

I honestly believe we had fewer firearms related accidents (proportionately speaking) 25-30 years ago than we do today. I think it best to not state my opinions on why I believe this true.

I probably should not have added my worthless 2 cents to the thread.


surv

[Vinikahr]

With all due respect to the OP, your story does not makes sense and it seems a story line to pitch the product.

[Bawanna]

I'm keeping a low profile but couldn't let this slide. Mr Surveyor your words and contribution are sound and factual. While you think it best not to mention your reasoning I'm not afraid to say that is modern day lack of common sense. Irresponsible parents having irresponsible children. Common sense seemed to really head into decline right about exactly the time frame you mention.
I was raised in precisely the same type of environment you mention. We kept the novelty and mystery away from firearms, alcohol, tobacco, we didn't partake of any of the wonder drugs in profusion these days. I had no fears about kids handling a gun in my home or others, they knew they could handle with permission but also didn't touch without. In a friends house they would never check out dad's guns with the kids, no way no how.
Probably just coincidence but this is about the time moms starting working, daycares and babysitters were the norm and dinner was walking thru the kitchen on the way to the tv.
Ok, I'm back to the corner.

[wyntrout]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I was once a kid! I was very curious and adventurous. There wasn't a nook or cranny I didn't investigate, especially if something was "forbidden" or unknown. Unless it was under lock and key and the key wasn't "available", I was into whatever it was.

This is why I'm for teaching kids gun familiarity and safety as early as possible. If he or she isn't dumb as a rock, they can figure out how to push chairs and pile stuff to reach almost anything. And I mean a range trip to see what happens when the trigger is pulled, with maybe you helping them "hold" it to get some idea of the noise and recoil. This is kind of like aversion training, but they get the idea and aren't so curious anymore. Of course hearing protection is paramount and part of the training experience.

Everyone has his/her own idea about things like this, but don't put it off too long. And when they get old enough to shoot, train them to include possible self-defense or defense against home invasion. Once in a while you read about some child saving him/herself or family by being able to react properly, even if not trained. Some of them are pretty darn young, not even in their teens!

I don't mean to preach to the choir, as some of you have taken steps in this direction, while others haven't considered it, and some will be outraged at the very idea that someone would suggest such a crazy idea.

It's just something to think about. JMHO, of course.
Wynn:yo::behindsofa:

[Vinikahr]

I carry 24/7 and all guns that are not in use are under lock.

[hsart]

One more point, in agreement with wyntrout, that the best defense for children to understand that these guns are NOT toys is to let them handle, shoot, and feel the recoil. Train them young, and include them in a home defense plan.

[B18C5 Tom]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I was once a kid! I was very curious and adventurous.

Adventurous?

I was downright sneaky and dastardly when I was a kid. I found pornographic material, a switchblade, cigarettes, and other adult items in "hidden" areas in my home when I was a child. If it was locked I'd try to pick it. My parents did all they could to raise me right, but I was a horribly behaved kid until a few minor scrapes with the law in my late teens sorted me out. Parenting only goes so far - you cannot be with them all the time.

My son is only 18 months old and cannot reach the top drawer of our dresser in our bedroom. Currently he is not even allowed in there without supervision anyways due to an Xbox 360 being floor level, etc. I plan on buying a drawer safe with a numbered keypad for entry. I don't care if it does take an extra 5 seconds to punch the code in - it's worth that risk to save the risk of an accidental/negligent discharge within the walls of my own home. There is no "right"or "wrong" approach for having firearms in a home with children so long as each owner/parent accepts the responsibility of what ever happens.

I'm still discussing plans with my wife our plans to teach our little one about guns. On one hand handing my child an unloaded firearm to ease his curiosity sounds like a great idea, but if he is anything like me when I was a kid nothing short of actually firing the gun will ease that curiosity.

Guns and kids are a delicate matter.

[Steve-$]

Any of your kids ever have friend or two, come over to your house to play?
How about a sleepover with 4 or 5?
Even with training of your own children, it's hard to know what others might be thinking or doing, but you are still responsible for their safety and well being.
Somthing to think about.

[getsome]

Hi, B18c5 Tom....Sounds like we must be related....My kids don't believe all the tales I tell from my boyhood...Da#m lucky to be alive and if a kid did some of those things today they would be under the jail!!!...Maybe we should start a thread about all the dumb stupid jacka$$ things we got away with!!! I agree that keeping the children safe is priority ONE and a good safe is a smart idea..Practice opening it in the dark and let it become second nature by feel... I tried to make my kids gun safe and it does work to remove some of the curiosity factor but you can't account for their friends in the house that might find a loaded gun and for some reason it seems they always point it at a friend and pull the trigger...Thats something I don't think I could live with...

[getsome]

+1 Steve-$ you got in before I could get mine typed but yea thats what I fear the most....

[Bawanna]

By removing the curiosity factor your kids will be safer when they visit their friends house as well. IE: leave when the kids wants to check out his dads gun, booze, cigs. I was always more concerned about that than my own house. Your absolutely on the mark though, child safety is #1 no matter what. My avatar is my 1st son at about age 1. He's 25 now. With a Ruger 44, great picture, I have one of the day he came home from hospital in the little carrier deal with a 45 on his chest, I'll cherish it forever.
When unknown little kids or even inquistive (nosey) adults come over we go into lock down mode but otherwise I have access to a few well placed tools.

[wyntrout]

Visiting children are a big hazard if your child easily succumbs to peer pressure to show them his/her dad's guns or he/she voluntarily shows them to friends to impress them. This can also lead to theft of these guns because the "friends" now know where the guns are or that they easily accessed.
This happened here last month when two "friends" stole another child's father's gun or guns and killed a teenage girl.
Maybe your child knows how to handle a gun but with peer pressure and losing control of the gun, who knows what other children might do. This is one thing that needs to be impressed on your children as well as trust and the solemnity of trust.
My daughter is 35 and my son is 37 now and have never had a problem with guns. We had family outings to the range when they were 5 and 7 or earlier. I can remember "helping" my daughter shoot a revolver -- once was enough at that time. I kept a gun at the head of the bed and I never had any problems with them, of course my wife was a stay-at-home mother then.
Wynn

[B18C5 Tom]

Hi, B18c5 Tom....Sounds like we must be related....My kids don't believe all the tales I tell from my boyhood...Da#m lucky to be alive and if a kid did some of those things today they would be under the jail!!!...Maybe we should start a thread about all the dumb stupid jacka$$ things we got away with!!!

Uhhh...yeah I'd probably not post all the things I did in my youth. A lot of it was property destruction and vandalism - criminal for certain. I'm not proud of it, and I cannot believe I've never been shot or held at gunpoint while someone called the police on me and my buddies. I've placed myself in potentially lethal situations simply by trespassing at 3:00am, etc. It was never robbery, physical attacks, etc.

[Bawanna]

Uhhh...yeah I'd probably not post all the things I did in my youth. A lot of it was property destruction and vandalism - criminal for certain. I'm not proud of it, and I cannot believe I've never been shot or held at gunpoint while someone called the police on me and my buddies. I've placed myself in potentially lethal situations simply by trespassing at 3:00am, etc. It was never robbery, physical attacks, etc.

Good idea not to put your location in here. You have the right to remain silent, ah forget it, try to behave yourself ok?

Officer Friday.

[getsome]

I don't think we did anything criminal in nature at the time but today it might be a different story, such as, In the late 60's early 70's the local Woolco store (prehistoric Walmart) would sell us all the shotgun shells we could carry and we saved up a bunch and spent a good bit of time cutting those things open to get the gun powder out which we mixed up with a whole bunch of powder from a lifetime supply of M80's we had in our stash so we ended up with a large supply of entertainment material... (you see where this is going right) Welllllll we learned how to make pipe bombs and got pretty good at it too....We would set them off in the creek behind my house....Didn't think anything at all about how maaaaybe that could be just a little bit dangerous....:crazy: One day we tried a rather big one in my friends dads brick BBQ grill to try and hold down the sound from the explosion but not only did it not stop the noise but it didn't stop the force of the blast and blew that brick BBQ pit into a million pieces....Now today something like that would make the network news but back then things were a little different....So that was the end of our bomb making career but there were other misadventures....:eek:...:rolleyes:.....So many tales, so little time...

[Bawanna]

I don't think we did anything criminal in nature at the time but today it might be a different story, such as, In the late 60's early 70's the local Woolco store (prehistoric Walmart) would sell us all the shotgun shells we could carry and we saved up a bunch and spent a good bit of time cutting those things open to get the gun powder out which we mixed up with a whole bunch of powder from a lifetime supply of M80's we had in our stash so we ended up with a large supply of entertainment material... (you see where this is going right) Welllllll we learned how to make pipe bombs and got pretty good at it too....We would set them off in the creek behind my house....Didn't think anything at all about how maaaaybe that could be just a little bit dangerous....:crazy: One day we tried a rather big one in my friends dads brick BBQ grill to try and hold down the sound from the explosion but not only did it not stop the noise but it didn't stop the force of the blast and blew that brick BBQ pit into a million pieces....Now today something like that would make the network news but back then things were a little different....So that was the end of our bomb making career but there were other misadventures....:eek:...:rolleyes:.....So many tales, so little time...

Those days were different and to me better by far. Just out of curiousity can you account for all your fingers, hands and appendages? By todays standards you have to wonder how we ever survived.

[getsome]

By the Grace of God yes we all survived our explosives phase intact although my friend did break both arms and an ankle falling off our 40 foot high home made slide for life cable pulley ride...(Bad Summer)...Later that year we both got our drivers licence and the real fun started!!!! Think about this one, Take a car, an Army surplus parachute with full harness, a long ski rope and hmmmm what could we do???? :crazy: WATCH ME FLY!!!! :eek:.:eek:.:eek: The flight part was great but the take off and landing deal was a real b!t@h!!!:cool:

[Bawanna]

By the Grace of God yes we all survived our explosives phase intact although my friend did break both arms and an ankle falling off our 40 foot high home made slide for life cable pulley ride...(Bad Summer)...Later that year we both got our drivers licence and the real fun started!!!! Think about this one, Take a car, an Army surplus parachute with full harness, a long ski rope and hmmmm what could we do???? :crazy: WATCH ME FLY!!!! :eek:.:eek:.:eek: The flight part was great but the take off and landing deal was a real b!t@h!!!:cool:

Hmm. we did the same surplus parachute thing, left the car behind and used a boat, thinking we could improve the landing. Who knew that parachutes were a one way deal???? It was still ugly. Lesson learned spend the money buy a real parasail. We did find a third party, much lower IQ than us (if that's possible ) to use as a test dummy. So dumb we got him to try 3 different modifications, (all dismal failures) before he decided he didn't want to play anymore. Course we were young and impatient, couldn't wait for his recouperation periods. Had to move on with the project.

[a.squibload]

Agree with training and respect, not just for guns.
Carry _almost_ 24/7, always a few within reach at home.
Lockbox is for when we are not home.
Handgun under pillow at night with cylinder full or one in the pipe,
since my teens. Might not have time to fiddle with a second device
to get the one that's important.

You made me think of my Dad's attitude with us, sixguns & holsters of course
as kids, we knew were toys but "don't point that at me". Gave us old faucets
to "shoot" firecrackers out of, if you hold the spout it's like a pistol and directs the force away from your face (still have my fingers too).
A little older we had BB guns, learned safety, learned to disassemble & clean
real guns, took us out in the field to shoot 'em.

Come to think of it, that clothesbrush hanging in the closet probably had a
lot to do with our learning curve, was kinda like a talisman, warded off
juvenile evil. Only ever needed a few applications to our butts.
Mom preferred the wire coathanger. Lighter, higher velocity. The fact that
she was thusly "armed" carried great weight with us kids.

Dang, look what I did, are you asleep yet?

[medezyner]

Oh man, immaturity & testosterone, what a combo! I kept it trigger locked when the kids were rugrats b/c I remember my youth – hmm, if a little gunpowder goes bang, what will a lot do? Man, did that story bring back memories.
I practiced accessing the key in the dark and unlocking. Of course in a stress situation everything goes to hell in a hand basket. I educated my kids as I was educated and felt I could trust an unlocked firearm in my bedroom, but that trust was not extended to their friends. No need to lock it now, but that will change when the grandkids start tearing up the house. When the little grand rugrats are old enough, their visits to grampy’s house will include range-time. I can’t wait!

[rholmes69]

I'm really not for any regulation of how people want to store their firearms, but I believe that in some states, you are required to keep them locked, especially based upon interpretation by some and the gross negligence of those who have no reason to own one and end up having accidents in their homes. For example, in NC, we are supposed to keep our firearms locked up in the house if minors are present. Again, probably up to a lot if interpretation based upon the situation, but regardless, I have a 4yr old girl who I am making very familiar with firearms and I still keep it in a safe in the closet. My home alarm (100lb german shepard) will let me know when a stray cat is outside, so I can probably safely rely on her to give me 5 seconds to put a pistol in my hand before the BG can make it past her and up the stairs.

§ 14‑315.1. Storage of firearms to protect minors.
(a) Any person who resides in the same premises as a minor, owns or possesses a firearm, and stores or leaves the firearm (i) in a condition that the firearm can be discharged and (ii) in a manner that the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would be able to gain access to the firearm, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor gains access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor's parents or a person having charge of the minor and the minor:
(1) Possesses it in violation of G.S. 14‑269.2(b);
(2) Exhibits it in a public place in a careless, angry, or threatening manner;
(3) Causes personal injury or death with it not in self defense; or
(4) Uses it in the commission of a crime.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from carrying a firearm on his or her body, or placed in such close proximity that it can be used as easily and quickly as if carried on the body.
(c) This section shall not apply if the minor obtained the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person.
(d) "Minor" as used in this section means a person under 18 years of age who is not emancipated. (1993, c. 558, s. 2; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 14, s. 11.)

[getupatree]

Wow, OP here....this thing has taken a life of it's own! Gun safety and children was not my intent for this topic but no worries. That topis ahs caused some recent friction with me and the in-laws.

If you think kids won't mess with guns because they've been tought better - your kidding yourself.

No I am not selling the biometric boxes by any stretch but I beleive in it. 2 second access and childproof and casual theft proof. I am quicker on the draw than those who keep a loaded one in the nightstand drawer...time it.

[Bawanna]

Wow, OP here....this thing has taken a life of it's own! Gun safety and children was not my intent for this topic but no worries. That topis ahs caused some recent friction with me and the in-laws.

If you think kids won't mess with guns because they've been tought better - your kidding yourself.

No I am not selling the biometric boxes by any stretch but I beleive in it. 2 second access and childproof and casual theft proof. I am quicker on the draw than those who keep a loaded one in the nightstand drawer...time it.

I thought friction was what in-laws was for? As far as taking a life of its own, that's what we do here. It's pretty common practice. I enjoys it. I'm reminded of the NOtch thread, where it went from a simple machining error to WWIII, to someone renaming their dog notch. Dang I love this place.

[getsome]

Hi getupatree, Yep you are so right about posts here getting out of hand, off track, twisted, highjacked, get turned into a big argument then a bar fight after which we will settle down, laugh, have another round and try and remember we were talking about in the first place....Just seems to be the nature of a growing, evolving Kahr Talk free for all forum and I for one hope it doesn't change one bit... Sorry about the In Law problem, Believe me, I can understand that deal, (Just bought a brand new Toyota Prius with the one way throttle option for my Mother in Law)...:D....Bottom line is its your house and they are your children and in the end, your responsibility for whatever happens....I will tell you this but I'm sure you already know, When I was a kid there wasn't a single square inch anywhere in our house that I didn't nose around in even after being told not to...If I had found a loaded pistol there is no way in he!! that I wouldn't have taken that thing to the back yard and blasted away just to see what would happen...:eek: but thats just me being me... Good luck with your decision...:cool:

[Bawanna]

Ok Mr. Getsome, I'm moving you over to the ally side of the score board. Some folks get downright put out when the thread goes the slightest bit off course. BORING! I try not to get into those highly technical discussions to throw people off unless I genuinely have something meaningful to contribute which is sometimes rare and usually somebody beats me on all the good stuff. I think we're here to help each other, new owners and shooter and I believe we can have fun doing it.
Now what were we talking about anyhow?:confused:

[noslolo]

I have two young children (8+10), I have done a good job of taking the curiosity out of the guns , by taking them to the range alot, and by being very open about the guns in the house. I was raised with no guns around and when I went to my Grandfathers house I would always try to get at the 1897 Winchester that he had. I have made the decision to not be a victim so, I carry all of the time, even in the house. At night it is right next to me. If I have it on me they can't play with it. I do have others that I keep locked up, so they aren't an issue. I am thinking about a Gunvault for my wife though. She doesn't carry and I'm away alot with work. She is more comfortable with a safe, so that is what I will do for her. After a long story I guess both sides apply to me.

[Bawanna]

I have two young children (8+10), I have done a good job of taking the curiosity out of the guns , by taking them to the range alot, and by being very open about the guns in the house. I was raised with no guns around and when I went to my Grandfathers house I would always try to get at the 1897 Winchester that he had. I have made the decision to not be a victim so, I carry all of the time, even in the house. At night it is right next to me. If I have it on me they can't play with it. I do have others that I keep locked up, so they aren't an issue. I am thinking about a Gunvault for my wife though. She doesn't carry and I'm away alot with work. She is more comfortable with a safe, so that is what I will do for her. After a long story I guess both sides apply to me.

That 97 Winchester would make a real nice tool for your wife when your gone. On a upper shelf in a closet. I love 97's. I'd keep the chamber empty, that slide racking making that distinctive sound can be a real attitude adjuster. Safe for your wife is also a sound idea. Secure but at hand if needed. I like em simple. Push button with a key backup, not sure I got faith in the ones that read your fingers but there's alot of them out there.

[jlottmc]

I grew up during the time (and geographic area) where every home had at least one locked and loaded firearm immediately accessable to the father. My grandfather always had an old, well worn, loaded single shot 12 ga standing in the corner by his bed. His was not so much for potential intruders since they were dirt poor, but for taking out the occassional possum he could hear rattling around in his old tin garage in the middle of the night. My Dad, kept his old Model 10 S&W loaded on the shelf in his closet. All of us grandkids and kids were well trained and very obedient when it came to things of such serious nature. But, that was also during the time when respect and obedience were demanded and expected. I personally kept a loaded revolver in the top drawer of the night stand by my bed, and a loaded rifle in an open scabbard hanging on my bed post from the time I got married, until that bed was moved into my son's room when he was about 5 years old. He was well aware that he was to never touch either of my accessable firearms, nor was he to ever venture into our bedroom without permission. Then again, as parents, we knew where he was at all times, and what he was doing. I now have grandkids that are in and out of the house quite a bit, and they have been raised by the same methods. Whenever my son, or now my grandkids had/have friends over, they are made aware of the house rules on where they can, and can not venture, and they are watched as closely as my kid was.

I honestly believe we had fewer firearms related accidents (proportionately speaking) 25-30 years ago than we do today. I think it best to not state my opinions on why I believe this true.

I probably should not have added my worthless 2 cents to the thread.


surv


This is much the same as I do. My daughter KNOWS better at 2. I will continue to teach and to watch like a hawk. She has not made motions toward any of my weapons at all. The other thing is she has always seen me with one too.

[jlottmc]

Uhhh...yeah I'd probably not post all the things I did in my youth. A lot of it was property destruction and vandalism - criminal for certain. I'm not proud of it, and I cannot believe I've never been shot or held at gunpoint while someone called the police on me and my buddies. I've placed myself in potentially lethal situations simply by trespassing at 3:00am, etc. It was never robbery, physical attacks, etc.

Rock salt in the butt 'nuff said...:rolleyes:

[cgo99]

I used to have my guns unlocked but my now 4 year old little demon will pull stunts that defy the imagination.
Thats why I decided to get a lock/combination box, I just dont want one of his stunts to involve one of my guns. Is not like he has showed any interest on them and he has always seen my carrying but the stuff he comes up with is straight out the "Dennis the Menace" playbook.
As soon as he is ready and/or shows any interest I will be teaching him how to shoot in the meantime the lock-box will remain in the nightstand by my bed.

[WMD]

Being a person of the "older" generation, we kept guns in closets all of the time. That was the way it was in my dad's houses and that was the way it was in my house. When I was a kid, if you went to any of our neighbors houses (in MI) they all had guns in their closets and a handgun or two on the closet shelf. There was no curiousity about the guns among any of the kids I played with. We imagined guns of course while playing "war" etc. but we never considered grabbing my or someone else's dad's guns.

I got my first gun when I was 10 years old. My father took me shooting and taught me how to use and respect firearms. I was allowed to squirrel hunt with a single shot 20 guage by myself when I was 12. So were all the other kids in my neighborhod. I remember walking down the street with my trusty old 20 gauge (still have it) waving to folkks I knew as they drove by. It ewas no big deal. I lived in a residential neighborhood. It was tradition for me and my kid friends to go rabbit hunting with our 22's every Thanksgiving day morning. Needless to say, the kids parents I hung around with were also close friends of my family. There was lots of trust and respect.

Point being...., education is everything. there was no such thing as a gun safe in those days. They had not yet been invented. :D

In addition, there was no discussion on the TV or newspaper about how bad guns were and how the infamous assault rifle has been banned. What's happened here kiddies is a bunch of you have been brain washed by all the crap you have read or heard on the radio and/or TV. My kids were 7 & 9 when I got them their first guns (co2 powered pellet rifles. (I admit, I started late) I still did not have a gun safe, the guns were still in the closet. I educated my kids on guns starting with the pellet rifles then on to rimfire/centerfire (both rifles and handguns). They were familiar with the guns and therefore did not have any curiosity about them. They also understood what damage a gun could inflict and would never consider allowing a friend to even know about what guns were in my house.

A few years later I decided to buy a gun safe. Not because of my kids.... I bought the safe because I can no longer trust people. I have to keep my cars locked up at night, the house needs to be locked, etc.

Do not let all the crap you hear on Radio or TV fool you. If you are a parent and are properly raising your kids and teach them to respect guns at an early age, you will have no trouble. Too many folks like myself (ask your dads..) have used this approach quite successfully.

Just my 25 cents! :D

[Bawanna]

"Do not let all the crap you hear on Radio or TV fool you."

I can't believe WMD said crap!:eek: Good post, I think we grew up in the same house. Same rules of common sense. No safes, had a shotgun hanging on a rack in the kitchen. I think we refer to those as the good ole days and I sorely miss them. None of this cokamamey stuff we have to deal with now days. Wonder if its inhaling too much tupperware. I don't think they had invented plastic back then either. That must be it, plastic has ruined our normal lifes.
I have several safes now for the same reason you mention. A freind visits, says something to someone who says something to someone else and the next thing you know your doors kicked in and prized possessions are being packed around by crack addicts waiting for their stimulus check.
Just can't trust folks anymore, not worth taking the chance.:31:

[WMD]

"Do not let all the crap you hear on Radio or TV fool you."

I can't believe WMD said crap!:eek: Good post, I think we grew up in the same house. Same rules of common sense. No safes, had a shotgun hanging on a rack in the kitchen. I think we refer to those as the good ole days and I sorely miss them. None of this cokamamey stuff we have to deal with now days. Wonder if its inhaling too much tupperware. I don't think they had invented plastic back then either. That must be it, plastic has ruined our normal lifes.
I have several safes now for the same reason you mention. A freind visits, says something to someone who says something to someone else and the next thing you know your doors kicked in and prized possessions are being packed around by crack addicts waiting for their stimulus check.
Just can't trust folks anymore, not worth taking the chance.:31:


After I submitted this post, I figured I was in for a good flaming! :crazy:

Everything I said is true however. I think you are right... It must be the tupperware or..... the melmac dishes. :D