Firearms in the home?

[perfectly_flawed]

This debate is going on in a military support forum that I'm involved in, and I thought it might be fun here. There are rules though!

First, please keep this civil. I'm simply asking for a friendly debate. If it turns hostile in any way I'll be first to lock the post. Debates can be a lot of fun if everyone involved keeps it civil and respectful. My opinion is my own, but that doesn't mean I should bash you for yours. Everyone please keep that in mind.

My opinion:
If a child is raised with firearms and taught respect for them at an early age, firearms in the home aren't really an issue IF good precautions are taken.

I was raised with guns. My dad starting teaching me to shoot when I was 3 years old and I was handling guns on my own at 12. My sons were raised the same way, and even the one that's been in trouble with the law has never used a gun in an inappropriate manner. My 13 year old has won awards for his shooting skills and is a crack shot. My parents always stored the guns in a locked gun cabinet with the ammo locked up separately. I followed the same rules with my own kids.

[reptilelvr]

I don't think there is a need for anything more than a single shot rifle. If you can't hit what you need to with that you shouldn't have a gun .
Apart form that, with proper precautions, I don't have a problem with it but will never have a gun in my home. By the time I was 12 I knew where my dad's key to the gun cabinet was hidden and where he kept the ammo....better safe than sorry.

[Kazzy]

My boyfriend has a nine mil. Upstairs in a locked case. Only he and I have the key, which are on us at ALL times. I'm going to try to learn to shoot...first time I did I sucked at it though, lol

[beardielover17]

i feel that owning a firearm unfortunately is needed in todays world...i think that there should be EXTREME precautions taken with it and if you have children, that they shouldn't know where it is...i feel personally that guns should only be kept for situations where you need to defend yourself and your family...other than that, a gun wud never be used in my household...im in no way saying you guys are wrong for thinking and doing otherwise...just saying my opinion on the subject =]

[Scarloc]

I personally was raised with guns and my father himself was quite the collector. I learned to shoot also at a young age and personally found no issue with it. As I think of this actually it brings back a lot of fond memories. My father kept them locked in a metal gun case and the flashier ones were kept in some kind of secure display case. Ammo was kept in a locked ammo box so nothing was accessable. Knowing how to operate, repair and clean a gun is never a bad thing. What if zombies attack or the Russians invade. Go Wolverines!

[Alara]

If zombies attack I don't think guns would stop them.   

I wasn't raised with guns but I know how to use them since I joined the gun club in university.  If a child is raised to respect firearms and if proper precautions are taken then I think it would be ok to have guns in the house.  The problem is that not everyone teaches their child this or takes the precautions.  Too bad you can't always know who those people would be.

If I ever had kids I think I would be too paranoid to have a gun in the house.

[ladyknite]

Interesting topic for debate

I was raised with guns and taught to shoot as a child.  Growing up we learned to hunt as well as target practice.  At 12 I was shot in the leg by my brother.  It was a true accident, but one by a well supervised child.  The incident was painful.........but didn't cause any "super fears" and life went on the way it did before.

I believe that it's everybody's right to own a firearm, with or without children.  However, with that in mind, I think it should be necessary to pass a handling and safety class as well as training on how to use it.  Parents need to use discression with their gun locks and keys as well.  I think the idea of having the key to the lock on the keys you have with you at all times is a good idea.  I also think that some states banning the use of guns to minors creates a new situation where they seek what they cannot or should not have.

[Scarloc]

Does the US not have a national licence that they need to acquire to be able to purchase and own a firearm and ammo? Here in Canada we have to register them too.

[ladyknite]

You're supposed to register firearms here.........the problem is......they're too easy to buy on the street. 

[Dadx2mj]

I am very PRO GUN. At one time in my life I would be what most would consider a "gun nut" I owned like 45 guns and was into hand loading my own amunition and all that stuff. Guns are a HUGE responsibility that should never be taken lightly. I too grew up with guns and when I found my dads gun as a young boy of 5 yrs I was taught all about guns and learned to shoot all of his guns. We lived in a very small rural town where hunting and fishing was a part of normal life. After I learned to shoot I was taken rabbit hunting and learned what happens when you shoot a living being. I also learned how to clean and cook a rabbit over an open fire that day. Owning a gun is not for every one but I feel those who chose to do so and are willing to take on the responsibility that goes with it should be allowed to. I no longer have my 45 gun arsenal but my house is still armed for defensive purposes although I now have other means of non lethal defensive weapons more readily at hand.