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Concealed carry around your kid

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unfy:
What... how... should... hm.  What to do concerning concealed carry when you're with your young children ?


I recently got my permit in the mail this week.  It's been... interesting.  Amazing how much more you pay attention to everything knowing how much more dangerous everything is wherever you walk, simply knowing that there's at least one live weapon in every situation.  I used to pay attention to everything before, but it feels quite different now.

I thought I was doing good at preparing myself for many situations and realities of carrying... but... apparently something escaped me.

Anyway, one of the primary reasons for getting a permit was to be able to protect my 7 year old son if the need arose.  There have been a few times throughout this past spring and summer where I was very uncomfortable in a few situations.  While we did skeedaddle, and will continue to skeedaddle... I didn't like feeling helpless if things went sideways before we could get away.

I only have my son on weekends, typically every other weekend. Sometimes more frequently but, sadly, usually less frequently.... I tend to work a lot :(.

He's almost 8, and I have the great fortune of still being one of his favorite play toys (maybe even more so than his video game systems!).  We go to parks often, play inside the house (games, with cars, balls, whatever), etc.  At home, I obviously have all of the weapons doubly-locked up to make sure he can't get into them, and instead keep a golf club near my bed. 

But... if we go out and about... I'd have the weapon on me.

I've been teaching him gun safety and how they work and how dangerous they are every month for the last year, and he's been a great student.  Education / instruction being one of the greatest tools for safety and all of that.

I suppose the questions I need to ask are:

* he needs to know I have it on me, right ?
* are kids likely to spurt out that "my dad over there has a gun" ?  even if he's been repeatedly told to NEVER say that ?
* how do i stop him from talking about it, if he does need to know i have it on me ?

Not telling him seems dangerous in that he might do something silly (kids will be kids), or may not understand if i start barking orders what's going on.  But -- having him talk about the fact that I have a weapon on me seems like it'd cause a nightmare.  i would think it might possibly be something for a kid to gloat about or something.

* what ... 'oh ****' instructions should i focus on drilling into his head ?
** lie down / get on the ground ?
** go to ... XXX ? (door ? car ?)
** others ?
** should there be a "we are now in danger time" phrase ? suggestions ?
** i realize that in 'oh ****', he will most likely freeze, but i'd like to prepare him anyway

* any other major topics i've missed ?


.... or.... do i simply not carry around him ?

-Will

PS: saw word substitution in preview, 'oh guano' ROFL

A-FIXER:
Well, I unlike many who believe our children should know everything. No....no need to tell him or anyone else for that matter and do teach him and any family member your safe word....when said they are to obey you at all cost without question. If you choose not to carry around him what would be your reasoning behind that? You are a legal citizen who has passed the background check beyond what most people would do and have passed the safety course, besides that what if you told your son and then tells your ex then you will possibly have another hassle that would be unnecessary and could cause you other problems. I do not believe the world needs to know if you carry or not it, and some people maybe tell others to promote a false being of power or such. Again it is only my take on this without having a indepth disscussion in person.

NE Bull:
unfy;
Welcome to the SFSDC (single fathers self defense club)
I think it depends on each individual kid. as for mine, I've simply explained (one time)to them them why I have a weapon on me sometimes. (they live in omahorn, and watch the news, so they understand the world is not always kind). And explained to them that it was a 'secret' of sorts that no one else in the world needs to know about, but it is legal and I took classes and have a permit from the state.  They have each asked me once if I had my gun on me. I answered them with: "are you with me?"- 'yes' "are we in Omaha?- 'Yes.' "Then?...."  'ok, dad!' That was the end of that. Now they can even hug me around the waist, bump me, and it just doesn't phase them at all. One thing i do try to do is just not a big deal out of having it or putting it on. I'll go into another room to holster, etc.
As for how to act in a given situation, I really haven't went over any of that, would be a good idea, as long as it could be done without stressing the child.  

Chris Z:
My older kids know that I carry, however I am careful to put it on and take it off when they are not watching.... They generally don't even remember that I carry (or maybe they just assume I always am carrying). I have a 7 year old, and he usually has no idea.

DaveB:
I say carry, and carry all the time. It is none of your kids business what is in your pockets.

As far as training, there is no reason to not teach a seven year old about guns. You must be lucky in that your ex doesn't say no to guns. I would not let the ex know either, it is none of her business either.

Just pray that you are never in a situation that needs you to use it.

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