kids are stupid. if you want them to do stupid things with the guns in your house, leave them unlocked in a place the kids can get them. if you don't want your kids to do stupid things with the guns in your house, f'ing lock them up.

however, how he handles his guns, and his children, is ultimately his choice. let him make his stupid ass choices, and just hope you never have to say i told you so. oh, and don't let your kid go over to his house, ever.

 

Introduce your friend to the GunVault line of instant-access safes and locks. That is what I use to keep mine child-resistant but useable. California law requires firearms to be locked and I suspect you'll roast in court in many other states if a child gets your firearm and does something irrevocable with it.

I don't have a problem with laws like this because guns at-hand and young children do not mix. You don't leave small children alone at home, guns or no, because they have poor judgement. You wouldn't leave a butane lighter where they could grab it, would you? I wouldn't.

 

Locked up guns or not - I wouldn't let my kids stay over at this guys house due to his rationale.

 

+1 for the GunVault. Very rapid access, but keeps it away from prying eyes (and hands).

 

I grew up around guns and was taught from an early age about gun safety. My dad took me and my brother hunting all the time. Even today you can go to my parent's house and have shotguns and rifles laying around. Unloaded of course. My brother's 2 kids also have been growing up around guns and are taught respect for them. They don't go play with them at all. I think if you make the gun some kind of forbidden object, then yes the kids will want to mess with it. It's human nature to want what you can't have. Especially with kids. If however you make them a normal object, along with proper parenting, then kids won't see it as a big deal enough to mess with them.

 

^ yep. that's how it was with my dad as well. he had his guns right in the gun rack sitting in the living room, although he did keep the ammo locked up.

 

I was probably about 10 or 12 when my father taught me to use my mother's rifle. I could use it with their permission, but I had to buy my own ammunition. I think teaching kids the proper use removes the temptation to play with guns.

 

A good asswhoopin delivered in small doses in childhood is a provenpreventative measure for psychotic ambisodes and crime which could develop later in life.

 

+1

Guns are a part of the southern way of life. Foxes & coyotes aren't too uncommon around here. It isn't unusual to go over to the in-laws and see the .38 special sitting on the kitchen table.

 

Really? Can you point toward (peer-reviewed or otherwise) research that proves that?