I was browsing around youtube and stumbled upon this video. Mixed in with the video were some interesting points on why police or, any citizen for that matter, might want to keep a gun on them.

Although the video is targeted towards police officers, it really applies to everyone.

I like it. Get those kids involed and informed, while stressing the power of the firearm and safety needed to responsibly handle the weapon. 
Also, that the firearm is not taboo, but should never be handled with out an adult supervising.

The part of the video that people probably key on is (around 1:40): "By leaving yourself unarmed, you leave yourself and your family vulnerable..." You have to listen to the whole thing to grasp what's being said, but I believe even if you aren't in a "high risk" occupation like law enforcement, the statement does apply.

I like it. Get those kids involed and informed, while stressing the power of the firearm and safety needed to responsibly handle the weapon. 
Also, that the firearm is not taboo, but should never be handled with out an adult supervising.

I agree 100%. Up until about 10 years ago, I was "that guy" who put my sidearm on top of the fridge (after clearing it). Then my eldest showed how he could climb up and get the Cheerios...I started using the lock box. Teaching children early is very important, but remember the curiosity factor will constantly be there. One should always secure their firearm.

I agree 100%. Up until about 10 years ago, I was "that guy" who put my sidearm on top of the fridge (after clearing it). Then my eldest showed how he could climb up and get the Cheerios...I started using the lock box. Teaching children early is very important, but remember the curiosity factor will constantly be there. One should always secure their firearm.

Forgive me because I don't have my own children and will still voice my opinion. It's my understanding that the more you expose your child to firearms and firearm safety, especially in the earlier years, the more you eliminate that curiosity factor.
Not suggesting you leave it out on the kitchen table all day.

Reminds me of a story: (link no longer works properly)
 
WAFB
PORT ALLEN, La.  - A 10-year-old boy left home alone with his sister used his mother's gun to shoot an intruder in the face, according to the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said.

Two men, Dean Favron and Roderick Porter, knocked on the door of the Port Allen apartment, while the boy and his eight-year-old sister stood inside terrified, police said

"He told his sister to be quiet and seconds later, they started kicking on the door and finally kicked the door in," said Sheriff Mike Cazes. The two children ran to their mother's bedroom closet, where the boy grabbed the mother’s gun, police said.

“He did what I told him to do. I never told him to get the gun, but thank God he did," said the boy’s mother who asked that she not be identified.

Once the two men entered the apartment, they threatened the two children, causing the boy to fire and hitting Porter in the lip, police said. The two men were taken to the hospital by a third suspect – a 15-year-old juvenile – police said, where they were later arrested.

Deputies were called to the Port Allen apartment after several shots rang out.

"You are out here trying to work and for someone to come and do that and invade your home is very hard," said the boy’s mother.

The men are being held on $150,000 bond, and the juvenile was taken a youth detention center, police said. Favron, according to police, had just finished serving seven years in prison for aggravated assault on a Baton Rouge police officer and carjacking charges.

Some places, it's considered normal to leave a loaded gun out in case the kids need it while no adults are home.  

There's no way to kid proof all the guns; you've got to gun proof your kids.

Some places, it's considered normal to leave a loaded gun out in case the kids need it while no adults are home.  

There's no way to kid proof all the guns; you've got to gun proof your kids.

This, a thousand times!

Forgive me because I don't have my own children and will still voice my opinion. It's my understanding that the more you expose your child to firearms and firearm safety, especially in the earlier years, the more you eliminate that curiosity factor.
Not suggesting you leave it out on the kitchen table all day.

I get scolded for leaving guns on the kitchen table, behind doors and on cabinets are fair game though.  My kids are so used to guns being around the house they might as well be invisible; they only show interest at the range or out killing nature...

Is that a prairie dog, or some other burrowing beastie?  I do love me some prairie dog hunts!   

Yup.  Prarie dog/

We looked for one with a more dramatic after effect but settled on this one since it was getting chilly and windy, we still had rattlesnake hunting to do.

Same here.  My son is definitely not curious about guns.  Every time we go to the range, I ask him to tell me all the rules about gun safety.  In fact, my wife went with us to the range for the first time today, and he told her how to be safe and explained each of the rules.  I'm pretty comfortable with his knowledge of firearms and safety.  But he's only in the 3rd grade so I do keep it locked but he knows how to get to it if the SHTF. 

We looked for one with a more dramatic after effect but settled on this one since it was getting chilly and windy, we still had rattlesnake hunting to do.

Haha, I think I know what you mean about a dramatic after effect.  We used to shoot 'em with 80 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip handloads.  Really, really dramatic!

Quote from: nf9648 on October 30, 2011, 07:03:58 PM

We looked for one with a more dramatic after effect but settled on this one since it was getting chilly and windy, we still had rattlesnake hunting to do.

Haha, I think I know what you mean about a dramatic after effect.  We used to shoot 'em with 80 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip handloads.  Really, really dramatic!

This one took a 40 gr vmax to the gut, its good on spring pups but not on these older fat ones.  The Nosler Ballistic Tip is a better bullet IMO for a .223 in all weights.

Yeah, we had good results with ballistic tips. I think they were 80 grain, we were shooting them out of my 243 and dad's 243 Ackley Improved, but it's been years since my last prairie dog trip. I miss it. Think i'll plan my next leave trip for spring so I can get in on the fun!

BTW, I think I'd hang on to the picture of Little Miss with the Ruger, and have it prominently displayed when she gets a little older and has boys stopping by the house.   

Some places, it's considered normal to leave a loaded gun out in case the kids need it while no adults are home.  

Yes, that was the case in Montana when I was a kid!!

There's no way to kid proof all the guns; you've got to gun proof your kids.

Yes, yes and YES!!
Proper education and exposure make firearms less of a mystery to children and also help them understand the severity of their use!! Education is key to gun safety!! 

Are you supposed to eat prairie dawgs?

Are you supposed to eat prairie dawgs?

I don't know of anybody who does.  In my old neck of the woods, they're a pest to local ranchers because they breed like rabbits, and live in prairie dog "towns" made up of interconnected underground burrows.  You can see in the second picture that the two girls are sitting on one of the mounds.  The holes are perfect for cows to step in and break their legs, which is why they're such a nuisance.

Edit to add: Also, unless you shoot them with 22LR or get pretty lucky, they're usually in a couple of pieces after taking a round to the boiler room; you'd be hard-pressed to find enough 'dog to make a meal out of! 

Are you supposed to eat prairie dawgs?

Ive thought about it, but I dont want bubonic plague on my dinner table.  Rattlesnake is good to go.

How do you kill the snake lol. It's not like he sticks his head up from the mound