Family Members and Firearms

S

ScottieG59

New member
How many people out there have anti-gun spouses? My wife seems to see firearms as the work of the devil. In our rural area, we occasionally have problems with critters. It is fairly rare, but over the years I have been attacked several times by dogs passing through my yard. I have been unarmed each time. The first couple times, I was able to show aggression and get the dogs to back down and leave.

A few weeks ago, I was attached again and this time, I was very unsure I would have prevailed. Also, the dog would not back down or allow me to back up. This thing wanted to kill me and all I had was my knowledge of dealing with vicious dogs. This one was different since it did not try to circle behind me. We were eye to eye for about 15 minutes before it broke contact.

I mentioned to my wife how this situation would have been different had I been armed. Despite the fact that I feared severe injury in the encounter on my yard, she thought it would be savage and barbaric to harm any animal, even one that is trying to attack me on my property.

I am pressing charges against the owner and intend to follow up with a civil case.

However, I have also decided to have no tolerance for vicious animals on my property. Friendly critters may feel welcome, but unfriendly ones will be dealt with directly. I do not mind the barkers and garbage eaters; I just will not accept something that threatens the safety of me or my family.

Is this such an extreme view?
 
My wife's a veterinarian and hunts (pheasant, quail) more than I do, go figure. No that is not an extreme view you hold
 
I'd definitely raise the issue with law enforcement - owners of vicious dogs have no business letting them run loose and they make it harder for those of us with safe/well controlled dogs. But what are you filing civil action for? What damage was done, other than losing 15 mins of time?
 
Without sounding too harsh - You didn't know her feelings on firearms when you married her? I know that was a subject I would have explored. Before you were married, did you take her hunting, or shooting, or talk about guns with her?

Marriage is an extremely serious and complicated relationship, with compromise on both sides or the relationship. If there are some things that she is not willing to compromise on, then perhaps you should have known that before you got the license.
 
A spray bottle full of Bo Peep ammonia up the nose will work wonders the first time. For extraordinary animals, well......some just have to go MIA. My neighbors completely understand. Just stay behind your property lines, and remember that you were ALWAYS in fear for your own safety when making a report.

-7-
 
tell her to cook dinner and shut up.

I am just kidding!! DON'T do that.

Yes, marriage is compromise but I donot feel the OP is being unreasonable(perhaps in their verbal conversation she thought so, but the reality is he has a point). You might be able to warm her up to the idea like my buddy did, but then you Must buy the right weapon.

Explain to her you also want one 'home' and/or 'farm' firearm to defend the family(from wild animals or a home invasion as only two examples). Even people that are against firearms for whatever reason are willing to yield on this many times. I can't promise you anything, but its worth a shot. Having one secure firearm that you can retrieve in an emergency situation is very realistic and important to protect you or your family.
 
Despite the fact that I feared severe injury in the encounter on my yard, she thought it would be savage and barbaric to harm any animal, even one that is trying to attack me on my property.
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IMO, this is the exteme view. How does she feel about other animials attacking each other, such as great whites swallowing cute baby seals. And dog attacks are no joke, a vicious dog can easily kill a young, healthy grown man. I wonder if that would be an act of barbarism in her eyes.

As for my wife, though she is pro 2nd amendment and is not antigun, she is just anti me owning or shooting them. But overall, she tolerates it. Just.
 
Without sounding too harsh - You didn't know her feelings on firearms when you married her? I know that was a subject I would have explored. Before you were married, did you take her hunting, or shooting, or talk about guns with her?

Marriage is an extremely serious and complicated relationship, with compromise on both sides or the relationship. If there are some things that she is not willing to compromise on, then perhaps you should have known that before you got the license.
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^ This.^

Hoplophobia is mental disorder. It can be cured, sometimes.

That said, you did marry for better or worse, yes? Some things must be borne..... and unless you are going to Carry all the time, a "farm gun" in the closet won't help you if you run into that aggressive dog in your yard again: it is only of use if you have it when you need it, and you won't know when that is going to be .......

No gun? Would bear spray be acceptable to her? You'd still have to Carry it for it to work.
 
she thought it would be savage and barbaric to harm any animal, even one that is trying to attack me on my property.
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Just an observation, but you shooting that dog dead where he stands (if necessary) entails less "savagery" than the dog trying to rip your throat out while you try to strangle him...... or does she believe you should emulate the Eloi, and offer only terrified screams in answer to violence against you? Moral superiority right to the grave? Bad Plan.
 
yeah JAD it might just be me but the OP sort of reminded me about some of my wife's and my debates. lol. I wonder if she would feel different if one of your offspring were in danger or her for that matter?! a good farm gun can be carried also. once he gets the go to get a weapon, the OP can choose one that can be a HD firearm and one he can carry on his property.
 
I had some neighbors that lived three doors down that never took care of their dog. It was chained outside most of the time without shelter of any kind. Dogs tend to get mean when treated like that. Once in a while the dog would break free of it’s chain, then terrorize the village I live in. At the time my twin children were about 15 years old, so they knew enough to go inside when they saw the dog loose. My next door neighbor had kids from 3 years to about 10 years old. I’m not so sure a 3 year old knew enough to stay away from or seek cover from a mean dog. I tried reasoning with the dog owner. No luck. I called the county dog catcher numerous times, never saw him. One day my 15 year old daughter came running in the house saying the dog was in the yard, growling at her. This time I called the county sheriffs department and told them about the on going problem. The dispatcher told me to call the dog catcher. I told her I have no luck there. She said there wasn’t anything the sheriff’s department could do. I told her fine, I’m grabbing a 12 gauge and taking care of the dog by myself, and I did. Lucky for the dog, it was no where to be seen. 10 minutes later a sheriff’s deputy pulls up. I told him flat out that I’m shooting the dog the very next time it sets foot on my property. Cop said I’d be arrested for discharging a firearm with in 100 feet of a residence. I told him that’s fine, arrest me, and I’d like to see a jury convict me for protecting my 15 year old children. He got in his car and stopped at the dog owner’s house to have a word with them. I never saw that dog loose again. These people have since moved away, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit back and watch a dog tear up a kid, or rip into my wife or myself.
 
Scottie, I think that your view is balanced, and fair.

Marriage is a series of compromises for both. You seem reasonable, and you are within your legal rights. You may have to yeild to some of her concerns that she feels strongly about. In turn she will have to give in on reasonable issues.

I would respectfully and lovingly hold my ground at a certain point.

You could emphasise your concerns for firearm safety and keeping guns away from children to her. This should ease her fear or negative attitude. Show her by your actions, not just words.Good Luck, Lyle
 
""Despite the fact that I feared severe injury in the encounter on my yard, she thought it would be savage and barbaric to harm any animal, even one that is trying to attack me on my property. ""

I'd ask her why is is not considered savage for the dog to attack the OP ? Has she been cornered by a dog yet? Bet her view would change if she was.

Has she offered any suggestions on how to deal with a agressive dog? Would she be willing to come outside and stand by your side when you are cornered by a dog?

Know anyone that is very familiar with dogs? ( not the typical owner, someone that is a trainer or vet and has in real time dealt with agressive dogs. ) Perhaps they could talk to the both of you and decide what to do in that situation.

I'm guessing her objections with the agressive dog is more "don't hurt the cute puppy" rather than anti gun.
 
My wife of 44 years dislikes guns intensely but understands that I do not feel the same way. When we married all those years ago I did not have a gun and had not hunted for many years. Early in our marriage I bought my first handgun for home defense and despite trying numerous times over the years have never been able to get her to even try to shoot a firearm. However, she never objected to my getting all of our children familiar with shooting and firearm safety. And recently, when she heard a sound in the night that scared her and I investigated, gun in hand, she did not seem the least bit upset that I had the loaded gun at the ready. My wife also doesn't care much for motorcycles, another of my life long passions, but we have enough in common to have had a strong marriage for a very long time.
 
My uncle recently bought a .380 and plans to get his CCW permit. My aunt grew up in a firearm-friendly household, yet she's afraid of guns. She told him he has to keep the pistol in the garage. :rolleyes:

People are generally afraid of guns until they have some first-hand experience with them, and have had an experience that blatantly shows the need for them. I think the first step would probably be to ask them if they'd like to take a firearm safety class with you, with some range time in the class. If they're willing to take that step, try to get them to go to the range with you every now and then.

Until then, I'd probably carry some heavy-duty pepper spray, a telescoping metal baton, and a decent size sharp knife whenever working in the yard. I'd carry them in a manner that I could get to at least one of them easily and quickly with only one hand.
 
Find a way to gently immerse her into the firearms world. My wife wasn't terribly firearms friendly, more of a skeptic than an anti. She wasn't raised around them. While she isn't a firearms hobbiest, she has been through a training class and has her CCP. I do have to coax her to the range now and again so she stays proficient with her carry gun. Not because she hates it, but because she can always come up with something else she would rather be doing. But I would say she has a positive attitude toward them now.
As for the dangerous strays, I say carry some bear spray and a firearm when out & about on your property. Does she enjoy a nice steak now & then? If so, the cute fuzzy animal argument is stretching things a bit. Would she have you swerve into a tree to avoid hitting Bambie with your car? Most people like dogs to some degree, myself included. However, I'm not going to ignore the possible threat caused by them in some situations.
 
I do not think it is to harsh a feeling either. I had a similar situation with the next door neighbors dog( rotwilier)sp,, The neighbor kids were all out playing when the dog got loose,They all (ages 4 to 8) ran in my garage,dog following close behind.I had no gun at this time either,I had to use a 2 x 4 just to intimidate the dog enough to consentrate on me instead of the kids as they all scampered in the door. The dog did not back down or turn away. As he lunged at me i did manage to catch him alone side the head with the 2 x 4 good enough that he did stop and head out the door. My worst fear is had i not been around that day.People that have dogs that do this kind of behavior the dog needs to be put down in a humane manner. I think you have a valid point and need to explain to your wife the concequenses of what could have happened, Kids in yard and no one around , I love animals,but my life and others come way before a dog or any other animal for that matter. Get a pistol and carry it with you. Express your concerns to the owner and state your options to him,so he can make a call as to let dog run wild or not.
 
The problem I see here is listening to a female - usually unwise.....

Kidding.

I think you need to tell her that your life was in danger and your life, being that a human, is far more valuable than any animal. If she disagrees, then that needs to be discussed. If she agrees you're more valuable, then check mate, the argument is over and you should be then allowed to purchase a firearm.

But then you will justify more and more and become like some of us.
 
Egor20

My wife is a veterinarian too, but specializes in birds, can't see her hunting them. :D

She doesn't cop any attitude about me having guns, but has expressed concern about things like shooting ground squirrels with lead .22's, she is satisfied that a .17 HMR or center fire isn't leaving any appreciable lead in the carcass for raptors to get.

She helps me butcher deer and turkeys to eat.
 
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