A Christmas Present Dilemma

[VOW]

My husband went Christmas shopping alone the other night, and came home all excited. He motioned me into the bedroom, and whispered that he had bought our son a gift. He showed me the receipt.

He bought our son a rifle.

I was speechless.

I detest guns of all kinds, however, my husband is a gun enthusiast. We do have guns in our home, rifles and handguns, and they are locked up at all times. Both our children have learned gun safety from their father, and he has taken them shooting several times. I trust my husband implicitly with his handling of the guns themselves, and also in teaching our children.

Our son is 17. He's a typical male adolescent, he thinks guns are wonderful. In fact, he has become enthralled with paintballing, and outfitted himself with a paintball gun and all the accessories, entirely at his own expense. He exercises all safety precautions when paintballing, and I know that he will also be diligent about safety with this rifle.

I do not expect my son to use the rifle under any circumstances except with his dad.

I still don't like it.



Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[Dewjunkie]

I don't think you have to worry. If he's been properly trained, and shows care with a paint gun, then he'll be fine with a gun. This is just preparing you for having to trust him when he moves out on his own.

 

[Susan]

Originally posted by VOW
I do not expect my son to use the rifle under any circumstances except with his dad. 

 

 

[Baptistgal]

It sounds like you have a very responsible husband who teaches your children proper respect for guns and gun use. I understand how you feel as I'd most likely react the same way. But I still think that since your husband has taught your son the correct way to use them and they won't be going out blasting holes in people, then there is no real reason to worry.

The only real way to prevent accidents is to train your kids about them and take that "forbidden mystique" away from the guns.

 

[VOW]

Don't worry, Susan.

My son will use the rifle WITH his Dad, not ON his Dad!


Peace,
~VOW

 

[Susan]

 

[Miss Shelby]

Originally posted by VOW
My husband went Christmas shopping alone the other night, and came home all excited. He motioned me into the bedroom, and whispered that he had bought our son a gift. He showed me the receipt.

He bought our son a rifle.

I was speechless.

I detest guns of all kinds, however, my husband is a gun enthusiast. We do have guns in our home, rifles and handguns, and they are locked up at all times. Both our children have learned gun safety from their father, and he has taken them shooting several times. I trust my husband implicitly with his handling of the guns themselves, and also in teaching our children.

Our son is 17. He's a typical male adolescent, he thinks guns are wonderful. In fact, he has become enthralled with paintballing, and outfitted himself with a paintball gun and all the accessories, entirely at his own expense. He exercises all safety precautions when paintballing, and I know that he will also be diligent about safety with this rifle.

I do not expect my son to use the rifle under any circumstances except with his dad.

I still don't like it.



Peace be with you,
~VOW

My husband is a gun enthusiast, too VOW.  I'm not too crazy about it.  Even though he is an avid safety freak it still bothers me.   I don't know what to tell you to make you feel better except that I can relate.  And the boys in our family (nephews and such) all begin their hunting careers at age 10

So far I have 2 daughters... he keeps saying that he is going to take Sammy hunting when she gets older.....{{{shudder, shudder, shudder}}}---She's our little tom-boy.

Michelle

 

[Dewjunkie]

My friend's dad is a gun freak, and she goes shooting with him a lot. It's their "bonding" time. If my daughter wants to shoot, I'll teach her. (Although I'm sure my wife will say otherwise....)

 

[lucypevensie]

It's good that your husband has taught his son how to properly handle and care for a gun. Unless you've seen some characteristics in your son that disturb you, like out-of-control anger and the like, I'd recommend letting them have their fun. Many, many boys grew up owning guns, and did so very responsibly and maturely. I know there are horror stories and accidents, but they are usually caused by people not being careful, not realizing the seriousness of handling a gun.

Incidentally, my niece who is 13 years old has been going deer hunting with her dad for a few years now just got her first deer this fall.

 

[LilyLamb]

I'm not one to comment - I don't like guns either - it doesn't help that I was shot with one when I was 10 - by a boy - friend of the family - I still have the bullet in me - even without that I don't like to be around them.

but it does sound like your husband has taught your son well

Godspeed

 

[DeputyDan]

I "had to wait" until I was 14 to receive my first gun. My friends all got theirs when they turned 12.

I have no problem with a 17 year old receiving either a rifle or shotgun, but do have a problem with pistols.

Its a guy thing..............................

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by VOW
My husband went Christmas shopping alone the other night, and came home all excited. He motioned me into the bedroom, and whispered that he had bought our son a gift. He showed me the receipt.

He bought our son a rifle.

I was speechless.

I detest guns of all kinds, however, my husband is a gun enthusiast. We do have guns in our home, rifles and handguns, and they are locked up at all times. Both our children have learned gun safety from their father, and he has taken them shooting several times. I trust my husband implicitly with his handling of the guns themselves, and also in teaching our children.

Our son is 17. He's a typical male adolescent, he thinks guns are wonderful. In fact, he has become enthralled with paintballing, and outfitted himself with a paintball gun and all the accessories, entirely at his own expense. He exercises all safety precautions when paintballing, and I know that he will also be diligent about safety with this rifle.

I do not expect my son to use the rifle under any circumstances except with his dad.

I still don't like it.



Peace be with you,
~VOW

Oh I can't blame you! I'd be very upset, too! Guns are so dangerous!

 

[kimmee]

I agree with lambslove.

 

[VOW]

Admittedly, the danger of a gun is the idiot holding it. Hopefully, my husband has done a decent job of educating our son.

And I KNOW it's a "guy thing."

But I STILL don't like it.

(that's a "mom thing")


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[seebs]

My father-in-law used to take his kids out shooting. My brother-in-law collects guns; he has a .22 sniper rifle he's very fond of, and a very nice Czeckh 9MM handgun. Beloved Spouse says we will get some light pistols when we have more money. She says she wants at least a 9MM; nothing smaller has enough "stopping power". I consider her a good argument against being dogmatic about gender roles.

 

[VOW]

To seebs:

Just don't make her mad...


Peace,
~VOW

 

[seebs]

Originally posted by VOW

Just don't make her mad...

Heh. I try not to.

 

[evangeline2020]

I agree with Lambslove, saftey consious or not, guns are dangerous things, and teenage boys aren't known for level headedness all the time.
Maybe its cause I live in the UK where guns aren't a common thing, but I'd be furious in your situation.
I pray for you all.

 

[VOW]

Update:

Son unwrapped the gift and was suitably impressed. He immediately checked the chamber to make sure it wasn't loaded, and then he pulled out the separate-but-included gun lock and locked it up.

And the weapon is stored in the locked gun cabinet now.


Peace,
~VOW

 

[tamtam92]