Fear of Guns Can be Terrible Thing

[MechAg94]

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/parenting-changed-moved-family-place-223634825.html?__twitter_impression=true
How My Parenting Changed When I Moved My Family to a Place Where Most People Carry Guns

Read at your own peril.

My daughter now notices the symbol for firearms in restaurants and retail stores, something she never would have seen in New York City. She will often comment on the line across a gun graphic on signage and say, “Look, Mommy, no guns.” I know we can’t control everything our kids see, and silence can often create the worst kind of curiosity. So we talk about guns. We talk about how guns hurt and can kill people; it's blunt language but having a serious tone around this topic is important. And we talk about what to do if they are visiting a friend's house and they see a gun: don't touch it, walk away, get a grown-up, and call me immediately.

I read that as saying her daughter knows she hates/fears guns and is trying to help her.

[MillCreek]

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/parenting-changed-moved-family-place-223634825.html?__twitter_impression=true
How My Parenting Changed When I Moved My Family to a Place Where Most People Carry Guns

Read at your own peril.I read that as saying her daughter knows she hates/fears guns and is trying to help her.

The part about don't touch it, leave it alone, etc. is right out of the NRA Eddie Eagle gun safety for kids course.  At least it was back when I used it for my own kids.

[makattak]

The part about don't touch it, leave it alone, etc. is right out of the NRA Eddie Eagle gun safety for kids course.  At least it was back when I used it for my own kids.

I don't have any of the new materials, but the Eddie Eagle video we use says that exact thing.

I also emphasize that they shouldn't argue with some other kid who wants to touch it or play with it. Get away immediately and find an adult.

(That was an interesting issue that came up when I was teaching it to some other children. At least one said that he needed to make sure no one else touches it. I said that his job was to tell them not to play with it and that they should all get away. And then you get away quickly. If they don't listen, you've done your job. Get an adult and let them deal with it.)

Children should have a fear of guns, but a healthy fear. Just like they should have a fear of cars, tools, etc... Things that can kill you are scary, but you need to learn to deal with them properly.

[MechAg94]

The part about don't touch it, leave it alone, etc. is right out of the NRA Eddie Eagle gun safety for kids course.  At least it was back when I used it for my own kids.

I wasn't focusing on that last statement I guess.  It was the first part.  Leading up to that the whole article is about how she doesn't want to have anything to do with guns and is pretty much afraid of them.  The comment about her daughter jumped out at me.  

I think she would benefit from basic instruction on gun safety and how the more common guns work.  She has to want to do that though.  I am sure there are a number of people like her. 

My other thought was the concealed carry permit holders are not the people she should be worried about.  We have a lower average criminal record than police officers.  Those signs she pointed out are not going to stop the people she should be concerned about.

[Ben]

This woman is the poster child for why people get riled up about the "Californication" thing. Someone from NYC CHOSE to move to Texas, then complained about the culture there, with the between the lines arrogant, "I know better because I'm from NYC" sentiment that Texas would be better off with no guns. Then go back to NYC, dipwad.

[Hawkmoon]

I also emphasize that they shouldn't argue with some other kid who wants to touch it or play with it. Get away immediately and find an adult.

As far as I know, the Eddy Eagle curriculum hasn't changed. I just wonder how it plays out when a transplant kid such as the author's offspring finds herself visiting a schoolmate in a home that still believes in the Second Amendment. There may indeed be firearms in such a home. If the kid is going to come unglued at the mere sight of a firearm -- even if nobody is playing with it or suggesting that the kids present play with it -- the nearest adult is likely to be the owner of said firearm or the spouse of the owner f said firearm. I wonder what the kid's reaction would be if the response to "There's a GUN in the family room!" is "Yes, Dear, I know. I put it there."

[MechAg94]

As far as I know, the Eddy Eagle curriculum hasn't changed. I just wonder how it plays out when a transplant kid such as the author's offspring finds herself visiting a schoolmate in a home that still believes in the Second Amendment. There may indeed be firearms in such a home. If the kid is going to come unglued at the mere sight of a firearm -- even if nobody is playing with it or suggesting that the kids present play with it -- the nearest adult is likely to be the owner of said firearm or the spouse of the owner f said firearm. I wonder what the kid's reaction would be if the response to "There's a GUN in the family room!" is "Yes, Dear, I know. I put it there."

I have a nice wall hanger that contains a replica Colt Single Action (non-working) that I got as a gift a while back.  I hope that wouldn't scare someone.

[bedlamite]

I have a nice wall hanger that contains a replica Colt Single Action (non-working) that I got as a gift a while back.  I hope that wouldn't scare someone.

I'm beginning to think a super soaker would scare some people.

[fifth_column]

I'm beginning to think a super soaker would scare some people.

Certainly the Wicked Witch of the West!

[griz]

I'm beginning to think a super soaker would scare some people.

People have been scared by everything from fingers pointed at them to seeing a hi-lift jack on a jeep.  When you believe the sky is falling it doesn't matter if it's the sky, clouds, ceiling, or just your imagination.

[Hawkmoon]

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/parenting-changed-moved-family-place-223634825.html?__twitter_impression=true
How My Parenting Changed When I Moved My Family to a Place Where Most People Carry Guns

Yeah.

I was shocked to realize you can buy a pair of soccer cleats and a gun in the same store.

So she thought guns were like porn, only sold in dimly lit stores located on narrow side streets in shady parts of town. The notion of firearms as "sporting goods" never entered what passes for her mind.

Of course, I had my eyes peeled in Manhattan for any concerns of violence while pushing the double stroller to and from an outing, but while riding the subway or taking my kids to a street festival there was a sense of relief in knowing it was unlikely that an individual was carrying a gun.

So she never connected the dots to figure out that in NYC only the gang bangers have guns on subways.

[MechAg94]

So she never connected the dots to figure out that in NYC only the gang bangers have guns on subways.

Gang bangers only carry if they can get a license.  They follow gun laws right?    I guess she didn't see any police since they would also have guns.   

Now that she is in Texas, she needs to realize that the people legally carrying guns are not the people she needs to worry about.  They are more likely to help her. 

[Perd Hapley]

I had no idea 1.3 million Texans was "most" of them.