Daughter discovered I carry today.

All four of my kids and my wife know I carry. However, due to so many different circumstances, I don't actually do it all that much. I don't advertise it ever but I don't hide it when I take it off or put it on. I do, however, forbid the kids from talking about Daddy's guns at school. The reason is twofold: 1. I don't want to be a target for thieves (because little Johnny's older brother is a dirt-bag felon just out of jail after doing 3 years on a B&E) and 2. Kids talking about guns in school are likely to raise a teacher's red flag. It shouldn't, but it will.
 
Part of me understands where the O/P is coming from as far as security is concerned; with his not wanting the public at large to know he keeps weapons in the house. I live in a very nice and safe neighborhood but I don’t advertise to anyone that I keep weapons in the house and only two other people know the real number of weapons I own or how much ammo I stock. I also believe that at some point your children need to know that you have a weapon in the home and it is NOT A TOY; when that conversation happens depends on the child’s level of maturity.
 
SwampYankee said "All four of my kids and my wife know I carry. However, due to so many different circumstances, I don't actually do it all that much. I don't advertise it ever but I don't hide it when I take it off or put it on. I do, however, forbid the kids from talking about Daddy's guns at school. The reason is twofold: 1. I don't want to be a target for thieves (because little Johnny's older brother is a dirt-bag felon just out of jail after doing 3 years on a B&E) and 2. Kids talking about guns in school are likely to raise a teacher's red flag. It shouldn't, but it will."

Bingo! The anti gun insanity at school is off the chain. In first grade my son made a paper gun and pretended to shoot his friends. The Assist Principal actually called me to discuss this and said he would be expelled if he did it again. She actually remarked to the teacher that she could "have that kid thrown in jail for that"! No arguing with that mentality. I would rather avoid it. In NC you cant even have a weapon in your car when you pick your kid up at the parking lot.
 
You are a good parent !!

A child's innocence is lost when they discover that evil exists. As parents we try to prepare them for this "eventual" experience. That is what you attempted to do when you pretended not to hear her. In a child's mind, they question why you feel you need to carry a gun. That is when they need assurance that it's there for the protection of the family, against "some" evil in the world. Regardless of how hard we try to protect them, eventually evil will come into their lives. .... :mad:

You were only trying to be a good and protective parent. Given that, I feel you are in a great postion to be supportive and see her through this, in a very positive way. You are also revieling that you have limitations and this is just another way of protecting the family. .... :)


Be Safe !!!
 
Yes the struggle of innocense lost is a daily thing. I have had very good control over the tv they watch, music they listen to (kinda funny since I am a die hard metal head from the old school!). Lately I have realized that they will be exposed to much more than we ever were by their friends, peers, even teachers etc. I will do what I can to steer them right, but at the same time I realize there is little I can do about this fact. We all grow up.

I also hesitated because I feel she is a little more equipped to handle this than her brother. At least in the middle of a Hess gas station parking lot! Thanks everyone!

It is funny, this is making me realize that in NC you cant carry anywhere you might need it most! Banks, schools, paid admission events, anywhere they serve alcohol, any court or govt building, the list goes on. The first conservative General Assembly in 100 years is supposedly working to relax some of these things, but I have heard much except for now you can shoot any intruder to your home. You have to be very aware of where you are carrying or you could end up in sling.
 
You have to handle this in a case by case basis, I believe. I can't carry here in NY, but I have taken my son shooting at the range with .22 rifles. He is 22 now and well aware of gun safety, although he has other hobbies and doesn't shoot much. My daughter is 14 and has no interest, although she knows I have guns. I told them both to not talk to their friends about it.
 
I dont have kids but I do have several young cousins, a niece and some nephews. They are all under 6 and have no idea that I carry a gun. The only people in my family that even know are my wife, mom, dad and one of my cousins. I want to tell my in-laws but am not sure how to go about it.

They would fall into the category of the "deer in headlights" if I ever had to present my gun and use it. I dont want them to be surprised and I want them to be safe.
 
I was raised in a no-gun family because my mother has an intense aversion to them (she found her mother dead ... suicide with a cheap little auto). Even so, I never saw fit to conceal my fondness or ownership of firearms from anyone. My friends and family all know, and we talk about guns at work with almost everyone. I feel very blessed to be in a place where this isn't a liability.

If we even have children, they will be raised with guns and gun safety. I feel this is the best way to promote knowledge and responsibility, not to mention rational responses, when dealing with guns.

To me, the inability to understand the unfortunate necessity of defensive firearm ownership and carry indicates a sheltered and idealistic mind ill-equipped to deal with the realities of life. Let those people think as they will of me, for they have nothing I want.
 
I have 3 kids the oldest 2 both know I carry, the youngest one is only 2 years old barely knows what a gun is.
 
Well I sat them both down at the same time, showed them my license and that it was signed by the Sheriff (whoopeee!) and explained why I carry to protect us and all that. Also explained why their friends and school can't know. I think it went over real well. Thanks everyone.
 
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Anecdote: one of my son's earliest memories of guns in the house, was watching me kill a snake with a Ruger .22 pistol. He was about 2.

Couple of years later, . . . he wanted to see my gun, . . . same one of course, . . . he looked up at me with those big eyes of a kid, . . . the question came out, . . . "Daddy kill snake?"

From that day to this, . . . there are no firearm secrets between me and my 33 year old son. And there has never been a problem. He took to firearm safety like a Mallard takes to fresh water, . . . he can easily out shoot his dad (and don't any of you tell him I said so), . . . and yes, I am very proud.

My advice has always been to let them grow up around firearms like they grow up around any other thing in the house, . . . make it a normal part of their lives, . . . then when it comes time for them to decide, . . . it won't be some off the wall fear or facination thing.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
I've been there.
With both my 11 yr old daughter, and my 8 yr old son.

I just assure them that I've been doing this their entire life. I try not to let anyone know. It is just an insurance policy, for if anyone tries to hurt my kids, or Mommy. When they hear the protecting Mommy part, they seem to feel better about it.

I always tell them that the last thing I really want to have to do is hurt anybody. But I would rather hurt a bad guy than allow a bad guy to hurt my family.
 
I think we not only live in different States, but in entirely different cultures.....quite possibly on entirely different planets.
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I guess where I am coming from is one of them blabbing to their friends and the older crackhead brother hears about it and wants to break in
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Your kids have friends with crackhead older brothers?

I think we not only live in different States, but in entirely different cultures.....quite possibly on entirely different planets.
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I think we not only live in different States, but in entirely different cultures.....quite possibly on entirely different planets.
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Had to post that one twice for that comment!!!
 
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My GF's daughters (10 and 13) both know I carry. At first there were a bunch of questions which my GF and I answered, then we took them shooting and got them each a rifle. We told them we preferred not to let everyone know I carry. GF then got her carry permit and now they don't think twice about it. The oldest was told by her mother that it was just like her purse, she never goes anywhere without it, taking the mystique out of it. Just make it normal and it becomes normal.
 
Telling children you carry.

My son was 9yrs old when he saw me put my handgun in my holster. He then asked is that real. I then told him yes. I unloaded it in front of him. I told him to hold it. He then realized a real gun was so heavy. I then explained gun safety to him. Yada..yada..yada, you know.....never point it at anyone, always think that it's loaded, and if a friend says, oh my dad has a gun too, wanna see it. Taught him to say no, he would tell them that he would never touch a gun till he's much older. Also if he brought the gun out to show him, he would then go home immediately. Till this day he understands safety is the most important. Oh by the way...my son is now 33yrs. :D
 
Hiding anything about guns from kids of any age is the most moronic idea I've ever heard of. If they had seen you CC from the time they were old enough to walk or the time you aquired your permit it wouldn't even give them pause at 9.

LK
 
Well I just started to carry full time 2 weeks ago, so I no, I have not been hiding it, just trying to figure out how to tell them in my time. I wouldn't call that moronic thank you.
 
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I would say just don't treat it like something that is taboo. My ex wife for some reason has my 11 year old deathly afriad of weapons of all kinds. Even though when we were together, we shot together every other week. My daughter wants nothing to do with weapons and has no interest in learning about them at all. I guess her mother is hoping that leaving her ignorant on the subject will curb her curiosity. I personally think it will do the opposite, so it's off to the range in the near future to show her that there is nothing to be afriad of, but ALOT to respect........
 
Interesting thread and very thought provoking. Personally, I think it seems as if you don't want to trust the kids with sensitive information for fear of them blabbing. A very valid concern.

Be realistic. You have to trust the kids and teach them trust.They might blab and they might not, depending on a zillion different things. The fear of them blabbing can't stop you from teaching them. Get a dog so the crackkies don't think about your house.

If responsible concepts are not taught the children when they are young it will be tougher later on. Kids love secrets. Confiding secrets in the kids is a good way to teach them concepts of trust and honor.

You don't have to tell them real big sensitive info, kids are on a need to know basis etc., but start them out with little secrets and go from there...
 
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