Hellobee Boards

@mrsjyw: which one do you have?

Not in a million years. It's not that common around here, at least not in my circle. I've never shot a gun, never even held one, and neither has DH. I agree with @Mrs. Jacks: I feel that the risks far outweigh the benefits.

DH grew up with them in a safe in his dad's large garage outside, but I don't feel comfortable around them. We also live in a small place and would feel safer with them NOT in the house. we may revisit when we buy a house and would have a dedicated space for them. but that's YEARS away.

Not a chance in the world will we ever have a gun in our house - DH is on the same page, perhaps even slightly more anti-guns than I am. Fortunately, guns are outlawed here in Australia (except for farmers to keep the roos off their property) so it's not really an issue. Gun crimes make headlines on the national news here, that's how infrequently gun crime occurs and that's how I prefer it.

I grew up in a house with guns as my dad's profession required it, but I always hated it. I don't have a fear of guns, I just think there is absolutely no point to them and the less we have in the world, the better.

We have a gun, but we keep the magazine out of it. When we have kids, we'll keep the gunlock in and probably store it in our safe.

I think its important to familiarize your children with guns if you're going to keep them in your home. When my siblings and I were young, my dad took us in the backyard and let us shoot targets with a low caliber rifle and took us to a gun safety class.

In Texas, lots of folks have guns, but I know that isn't the case everywhere, so opinions are different.

@Mrs. Jacks: I'm trying to find the source for that so I can share it with my mom. Any ideas?

@daniellemybelle: Your parents have target practice in the backyard when you visit them?

@mrbee: Yes. It's not as if it's a daily activity, but I have been around for it multiple times since they got the guns less than a year ago, and we don't visit that often. Most recently, my uncle who is ex-military and big into guns was over, and my stepdad, uncle and two brothers went outside to shoot cans with my stepdad's rifle. If it sounds kind of redneck, that's because it is.

@Mrs. Jacks: Thank you so much! Unfortunately I think these references might be too academic for my mom. Not saying that as an insult to her by any means - she's very smart - I was just hoping for something a little more boiled down, but still from a reputable source... though to be honest, I'm not sure I can convince her with anything.

I really have to not concern myself too much with their decision to have guns and shoot them for recreational purposes (they don't hunt and realistically don't need home protection). I worry about their safety but it is their household and their choice. When we have kids though, it will not fly whatsoever. Like I said, in the safe at all times when the kids are there, or we will leave.

@daniellemybelle: I don't think you are going to find a reputable source that "boils it down". That's the problem with academic public health. It doesn't sound sexy. On the other hand, there are plenty of NRA press releases ready for general public digestion, but when you look at the source material you find either 1) a flawed study or 2) a misinterpretation of the study. The first article touches on one of those instances.

I'll try and find something light, but I don't think I'm going to be successful