Firearms in your home??

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Replies

  • abby459
    abby459 Posts: 694 Member
    I felt the same way as you did several years ago. I met my boyfriend and he is a State Trooper, so naturally guns are part of his job. I never allowed him to bring them to my house though and hated it if I could even see them at his house. But when we moved in together a little over a year ago, the guns had to come too. Its not like I even have the option of asking him to get rid of them...they are part of his job. But once he taught me how to use them safely and I practiced several times, I feel a lot more comfortable around them. We do keep them locked in the safe except when he takes them out to go to work...but then they leave with him

    So basically I agree with most others that if you learn how to use them you probably wont be so afraid of them!!
  • therealkittymao
    therealkittymao Posts: 194 Member
    I know how you feel, I think they are scary! I think gun safes are a good option, but they tend to be pricey. Maybe you can find a used one? At an estate sale or something?
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Take a gun safety class together, buy a gun safe, and store the guns unloaded/away from the bullets.
  • shannon1120
    shannon1120 Posts: 28 Member
    Guns are a deal breaker for me. It just comes down to whether or not its a deal breaker for you.
  • Football_N_Guns
    Football_N_Guns Posts: 297 Member
    Unarmed person = VICTIM

    This. I carry every where I go. My primary weapon stays loaded all of the time with one in the chamber. If you ever have to defend your own home you will understand the need for this. I pray you don't.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member



    No, but where is the guarantee that everyone who owns a gun is a responsible law abiding citizen?

    FACT:
    Fewer guns = fewer incidents of gun violence. this is an old stat but in Canada in the year 2000, the firearm homicide rate per 100,000 people was 0.54. In the states, it was 2.97!! Coincidence? I think not... (and no, Canadians were not just killing each other with other objects like knives and cars... the overall per capita homicide rate in canada was 1.58 compared to 4.55 in the states). (source The Seventh United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998 - 2000)". United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). http://www.unodc.org/pdf/crime/seventh_survey/7sc.pdf.)

    Your country bans the responsible citizen from owning a gun for self-defense, yet does not "guarantee" YOU won't be killed by one (according to your stats).


    I'll admit it doesn't *guarantee* anything, but the chances of that happening here are significantly lower than they are there.

    Until you remove every single firearm from the planet (which is a fantasy), there will ALWAYS be people wanting to commit crimes with them. Most crimes with weapons are committed upon victims WITHOUT a weapon. That is the nature of the bad guy... easy targets. Do you think for one second that a bad guy is going to risk his *kitten* to commit a crime against someone they know is already armed? Nope. They're too lazy.

    When you live in a free society, there are certain risks you agree to. I enjoy having the freedom to own firearms for sport and hunting. Having that freedom means I acknowledge that the bad guy may use them for bad things. Therefore, I also choose to possess a firearm to defend myself against nut jobs who want to go postal at the local McDonald's. My life is THAT important to me.

    “An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.”
    ― Robert A. Heinlein
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
    Shooting is a great sport that you can enjoy together. Make sure that they are properly stowed in a locked gun cabinet. No gun has ever killed or maimed anybody on it's own. Most peoples fear of guns is due to ignorance, and having never handled, or shot one. Maybe you can take an NRA safety course together, and familiarize yourself with the basics, for saefty reasons. Giving you a better comfort level.
  • laneybird
    laneybird Posts: 532 Member
    Gun safes, child locks and proper training. Guns are our friends... When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

    Exactly!! I am a single mom of a 3 year old and I have a loaded revolver in our apartment. It is far out of his reach. When he is older he will be taught gun safety. I think some people are too scared of guns, I used to be. But once I learned proper handling and safety and then went shooting, it is a lot of fun! My bf is a narcotics officer and he carries pretty much everywhere he goes, on duty and off....it doesn't bother me.

    Like several people have said, talk with him about your concerns. This shouldn't be a dealbreaker in the relationship, that's a bit extreme....but communicating about it should get you both on the same page. Good luck with this!
  • fit4mom
    fit4mom Posts: 1,352 Member
    I grew up with riffles in my grandpas house and My husband, being former military has some, but he keeps the ammo seperate and we lock them in a gun locker. Oh and we have a pellet gun. We live in the country and a pack of wild dogs came to our house and tried to claw their way into our fence and attack our 2 dogs. I have 3 young children so believe me I am so glad that we have a gun of any sort. Like I said we keep em locked up. Plus we live in a city with allot of gang violence so it's not always a bad thing to have a gun when that is the gang's M.O. around here. I don't believe violence is the answer but you have to take common sense into play when that is the rules the other side plays by.
  • adrian_indy
    adrian_indy Posts: 1,444 Member
    I have guns in my house. They are loaded or accessible to anyone other than an adult, and the ammo is kept somewhere else. The handgun is in a locked case. My children are small, but I will probably do what my father did for me with them, I just haven't decided on what age that will be.

    He showed me how to shoot, to load, the safety, all the basics. Then he took a huge metal can he found and asked me too touch it. He asked me if it was tougher than my skin, I said yes. He then sat the metal can on a fence post and shot it with his 12 gauge. It blew a massive hole in it. Then he said, "What do you think would happen if that was a person?" From that day foward, even though I knew where every gun in the house was, I never touched them without my father being around.
  • angiecakes82
    angiecakes82 Posts: 28 Member
    my husband is a cop & a deer hunter. so yea there are guns in our house. his shotgun for work is unloaded & no bullets for it in the house. his deer rifle or whatever its called is unloaded & no bullets for it in the house. the only gun he has bullets for here is his glock (duty weapon) and its always unloaded w the safety on. and in a locked gun box. my only concern is when our daughter starts walking and gets curious about stuff. she is 1 year old & doesnt walk, we just shut the door to our bedroom when we let her crawl. pretty sure im gonna make him keep the rifle & shotgun elsewhere. the handgun he HAS to have.

    but i totally agree....guns dont kill people, people kill people. that being said, i had a friend killed a few years ago when her brother was cleaning his gun in the house & it went off. totally an accident BUT could have been avoided. :cry:
  • terrigrace
    terrigrace Posts: 199 Member
    When my husband first told me he wanted a handgun, I had the same reaction you did. I was scared to death of an accident, particularly because a good friend lost her husband tragically when he dropped a loaded gun in his home - killing himself instantly. I made my husband pay for me to go to the gun safety course with him, telling him that if we were to have a gun in our home I wanted to know how to be as safe as possible with it. It turned out to be the decision I could have made. He also paid for me to get my pistol permit and I have a personal firearm of my own now, I've become so comfortable with the idea. The gun course stressed local laws and all of the safety regulations, as well as personal tips on safety with firearms. All of these are things I am passing on to my daughter and step son. Plus the fact that I've found going to the shooting range with my gun is a great stress reliever. And i turned out to be a better shot than my husband. Good luck, whatever decision you end up making. But "arm" yourself with as much information as possible from reliable sources, it will help your comfort level immensely.
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
    Appreciating the advice. He is not just looking to have the guns but also in getting a license to conceal them. He has nothing to shoot at. We live in the city. We don't even have a large yard to shoot cans at. I want him to have his grandpa's guns cuz I know how much they mean, but why ammo and a license to carry? I just don't get it I guess.
    Why not?
  • laneybird
    laneybird Posts: 532 Member
    ok everyone saying the same thing really and I get it. I do. But why guns? If you want protection why not learn a martial art? Kids can't take that from you and use it wrongly. Knowing that you don't have to worry about locks and ammo, etc... You will always be prepared, don't you think?

    If some armed person kicks my door in, I don't think that it's going to help me to use martial arts...especially when they are drunk or drugged out of their minds. You have some crazy people who aren't even phased by a taser when an officer has to use one. I hope I NEVER have to use my gun for protection, but I love knowing that I have a way to fight off, if not even scare, a possible intruder. I think a lot of the weapon issues come from location.... I was raised in the country where we are taught about guns at a young age and children just don't mess with them. As kids, we are educated that they are not toys and we are not to mess with them.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Trigger locks AND an out of the way gun locker.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    Advice?? My bf is looking to take his grampa's guns home now that he is passed. handguns and rifles with ammo. I am very strong in my opinion that I don't want firearms in my house. This is his way of staying close to Grampa no doubt, but he wants it all. I've lost friends to accidents from guns and just feel if its not in the house, there can't be accidents. He was raised with guns. This will come between us. Help!! I need some suggestions. I'm getting stressed so bad and the last thing I want is to binge eat or lose my relationship with him over this. Suggestions? Advice? Anyone else in this position?

    You need to explain your feelings and anxiety. You also need to let him know that you understand how much the guns mean to him. Perhaps you guys could get a safe or something, and agree that they stay there? I know it's not a compromise I'd want to make, but if you really need to work it out...
  • I agree!
  • fit4mom
    fit4mom Posts: 1,352 Member
    Appreciating the advice. He is not just looking to have the guns but also in getting a license to conceal them. He has nothing to shoot at. We live in the city. We don't even have a large yard to shoot cans at. I want him to have his grandpa's guns cuz I know how much they mean, but why ammo and a license to carry? I just don't get it I guess.
    Why not?
    This actually shows responsibility. It's more than allot of people do and it's just one extra step in protecting our constitutional rights by him going through the system to be legal vs doing as he pleases. He might even take classes which is important vs having something and not knowing how to use it. I think they should do the same thing for dogs that are known to be more dangerous.
  • IvoryParchment
    IvoryParchment Posts: 651 Member
    It's all very well if you live in a rural area where everyone knows everyone and burglaries are rare. I live in a city, and the fact that you *might* have a gun in your house is the main attraction for burglars who break into houses when people are at work. We got broken into about 20 years ago, and they ignored the TVs and computers and spent all their time in the bedroom looking under the mattress and in the bedside drawers. They might have gotten around to the jewelry if they hadn't been interrupted and run out the back while we were coming in the front, but it clearly wasn't the main thing they wanted.

    You have to ask yourself, what type of crime do you have to worry about in your neighborhood? Are unarmed people being raped in their beds, or are their homes being ransacked when no one is home? How long does it take the cops to respond to burglar alarms or 911 calls? Do cops actually investigate property crimes, or do they just take a report over the phone?

    Most criminals don't want to meet you in your home, whether you have a gun or a phone in your hand. But if you have guns stored in your house, they're highly valuable on the street. People with criminal records can't get them legally, so they would like to get yours. How securely can you lock them up when you aren't at home? Will you carry them everywhere -- to funerals, for instance, when burglars often target the empty homes of the family members of people listed in obituaries? Will locking them up defeat the purpose of having them for security or for display? Is your gun safe secure enough no one can walk off with the whole thing or smash it with a sledgehammer or axe? (Face it, not many burglars know how to pick locks anymore. They just smash through the door.)
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    he wants a CCL? that's a different world altogether. It seems like you two are on entirely different sides of the whole firearms issue. That will create some serious friction. Perhaps you can propose a trial period where you both educate yourselves together. Then if you find that the trial period has not increased your comfort level, you'll have to revisit the issue.

    If you do decide to have the weapons in your home, you should have training and licensure as well.
  • RyLaneB
    RyLaneB Posts: 60 Member
    I grew up with my dad having guns in our house, my husband did also. They taught both of us, as well as my brother and his, safety and proper usage. We have known how to load, unload, fire, and even clean both hand guns and rifles most of our lifes. My husband is a Sheriff's Deputy, and also a member of our county's SWAT team, guns are part of his both on and off duty (often he is carrying off duty). Also, we have an 8 year old son and a 3 year old daughter who have both been taught about guns since they were tiny. Our fathers and my husband have recently started taking our son hunting with them. Guns are not scary if you are familiar with them and have learned how to properly use them. Guns become scary and unsafe when untrained people are handling them. It sounds like your boyfriend plans to take proper steps to become a responsible gun owner. Having once received phone calls from a serial rapist who was sharing a jail cell with a former classmate of my husbands, I feel much safer knowing that when my husband is gone I can protect my children. I hope you can figure out a solution that works for both of you.:flowerforyou:
  • bbbgamer
    bbbgamer Posts: 582 Member
    If you dont feel comfortable with them, leave them alone. For me, I dont leave home without at least one.
  • thatgirl125
    thatgirl125 Posts: 294 Member
    Honestly, I would let him have the guns in the house. I know you said you have lost friends from them but who is to say it'd happen to you? I personally would not mind to have a gun in my house. It would make me feel soo much safer. Pepper spray just is not enough to use as protection.
    I've had creepy guys approach me and my son at gas stations had to lock my son in the car and call the cops, so, to me even having a concealed weapons license would be awesome.
    I feel if you love him and know that is something he REALLY wants then you wont let it get in the way of yalls relationship. He grew up with that type of stuff and that is apart of him. If my husband had something like that growing up and wanted his grandpa's guns after he passes I would not tell him no. Years from now your boyfriend could show his kids the guns and go on about his grandpa and not have to regret not keeping them. Some stuff can be sentimental to him.
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
    ok everyone saying the same thing really and I get it. I do. But why guns? If you want protection why not learn a martial art? Kids can't take that from you and use it wrongly. Knowing that you don't have to worry about locks and ammo, etc... You will always be prepared, don't you think?
    Try using a martial art when two drug crazed killers are banging down your door at 3:00 a.m. (and possess a shotgun), intent on taking what you have. You can do what you want; but I guarantee I will survive, and you will be a statistic.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    It's all very well if you live in a rural area where everyone knows everyone and burglaries are rare. I live in a city, and the fact that you *might* have a gun in your house is the main attraction for burglars who break into houses when people are at work. We got broken into about 20 years ago, and they ignored the TVs and computers and spent all their time in the bedroom looking under the mattress and in the bedside drawers. They might have gotten around to the jewelry if they hadn't been interrupted and run out the back while we were coming in the front, but it clearly wasn't the main thing they wanted.

    You have to ask yourself, what type of crime do you have to worry about in your neighborhood? Are unarmed people being raped in their beds, or are their homes being ransacked when no one is home? How long does it take the cops to respond to burglar alarms or 911 calls? Do cops actually investigate property crimes, or do they just take a report over the phone?

    Most criminals don't want to meet you in your home, whether you have a gun or a phone in your hand. But if you have guns stored in your house, they're highly valuable on the street. People with criminal records can't get them legally, so they would like to get yours. How securely can you lock them up when you aren't at home? Will you carry them everywhere -- to funerals, for instance, when burglars often target the empty homes of the family members of people listed in obituaries? Will locking them up defeat the purpose of having them for security or for display? Is your gun safe secure enough no one can walk off with the whole thing or smash it with a sledgehammer or axe? (Face it, not many burglars know how to pick locks anymore. They just smash through the door.)

    I don't follow your argument. Are you saying "not" having a firearm in your house will prevent a burglary? How does the bad guy know who owns a gun until after they've already broke in. I don't base my decision upon local crime statistics. I base my decision to carry a weapon so I don't become a statistic.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    Honestly, I would let him have the guns in the house. I know you said you have lost friends from them but who is to say it'd happen to you?

    You are twice as likely to die by homicide in your home if you keep firearms in the home, so...

    http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/160/10/929.abstract
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    There will always be guns in my house. Some of them loaded (including the chambers). Growing up we had guns, my dad was a cop, his folks lived on a ranch where we hunted and shot all kinds of guns. Most in my family are very into shooting. I'm in law enforcement (my agency's firearms instructor) and am a hunter and just love to shoot. My kids have had gun safety drummed in to them since they were old enough to walk. My 8 year old son has his own .22 (he got when he was 6). My 6 year old daughter enjoys shooting my AR-15 when I put the .22 conversion in it.

    Education is the most important thing. I would recommend you getting some instruction and give shooting a try. There's few better stress relievers than blasting jugs of water or whatever and there's a great deal of focus and precision that comes into play in long distance shooting. It can be very enjoyable and relaxing. Kids love it too.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQjCimnT6pU
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    There will always be guns in my house. Some of them loaded (including the chambers). Growing up we had guns, my dad was a cop, his folks lived on a ranch where we hunted and shot all kinds of guns. Most in my family are very into shooting. I'm in law enforcement (my agency's firearms instructor) and am a hunter and just love to shoot. My kids have had gun safety drummed in to them since they were old enough to walk. My 8 year old son has his own .22 (he got when he was 6). My 6 year old daughter enjoys shooting my AR-15 when I put the .22 conversion in it.

    Education is the most important thing. I would recommend you getting some instruction and give shooting a try. There's few better stress relievers than blasting jugs of water or whatever and there's a great deal of focus and precision that comes into play in long distance shooting. It can be very enjoyable and relaxing. Kids love it too.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQjCimnT6pU

    ^^^ ideal gun owner
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member

    Try using a martial art when two drug crazed killers are banging down your door at 3:00 a.m. (and possess a shotgun), intent on taking what you have. You can do what you want; but I guarantee I will survive, and you will be a statistic.

    ^^^ example of someone who should never own a weapon
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
    ok everyone saying the same thing really and I get it. I do. But why guns? If you want protection why not learn a martial art? Kids can't take that from you and use it wrongly. Knowing that you don't have to worry about locks and ammo, etc... You will always be prepared, don't you think?

    I think not. I learned martial arts myself, but until you have worked in an environment with people drugged out of their mind and intoxicated, there's no amount of martial arts that is going to save your *kitten* against those people. Not to mention, if someone assults me, walks into my home, or attempts to car jack my vehicle; Im not going to say "stop or I'm going to attempt to kick your *kitten*", oh no, I'm gonna put another whole in them.

    You shoot to injure, you don't have to shoot to kill.
    If you shoot to injure, that may be construed that you were not in fear for your life, and had the frame of mind to just "Injure" the perp. Therby, negating the shooting as "justifiable". Shoot to Kill; dead men tell no tales!
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