I have a 9 year old son, who asks a lot of questions. I have a 22 rifle in my bedroom closet that was passed down to me when my pap died (RIP 11/23/23-4/1/00). I have taken it out a few times to look at it. I never hide it from him, he knows exactly where it's at. I do not keep it loaded and the bullets are locked up in my safe.

I figure if I show him the gun and explain things to him, then he won't want to "explore" on his own and possibly hurt himself. I have never once caught him going at the gun by himself. It's been working for me so far, so I'm hoping that he'll continue this.

Adroomi,

That is a good question. What's your opinion?

At the risk of voicing an opinion on the boards.......

it seems to me that many people nowadays in this country don't have a good grasp on violence, it's uses, and it's consequences. When/where I grew up, kids would fight at recess and/or after school. They never amounted to much, but you learned that it hurts to be punched. And you learn that when you punch somebody, it hurts them as it hurts you........and you feel bad about it afterwards. You also learn that if you get caught fighting, you will get your ass tanned by the principal, and then again by your parent(s). You also learn that you will lose fights, and that you can shake hands afterward and all is forgiven. You learn that you can hit your buddies in the arm with a knuckle and leave a bad bruise. Then you learn that they will get you back when you least expect it.

Thats alot of talk about kids squabbling in the school yard, but I think it is relevant to a degree. Through this type of upbringing you learn about the consequences of violence and the emotions associated with it.

NOW, if a kid is caught fighting in school, there may be an expulsion and a lawsuit. But that child can go home and kill and mutilate virtual humans all evening in his bedroom with no fear of reprisal; in fact, it is rewarded. Parents are afraid to "spank" their kids because someone had "empowered" children with the right to have their parents arrested for such things.

On the flip side, bad kids who go to military, or para-military training (where violence is utilized expicitly or implicitly), often times pull a 180 and reform.

Weird huh??

I grew up a cops son and there was always a loaded 38 on his dresser when he was home and numerous hunting guns in the house. I was taught they were not toys and knew not play with them. Today with how things are portrayed on TV I just think people and kids are so desensitized to reality that is almost like it's not real. But I myself keep my guns safe and well out of reach . My kids also know what they are and what they can do.