Thanks! Wow, you get your boys into guns young! I respect that. I haven’t been comfortable with it quite that young, but then I grew up in a home where “gun” was a swear word. So I’m adapting (and keeping much of it far, far away from my mother). NRA badges, huh? I didn’t know there was such a thing. We’re doing Tae Kwon Do as a family. Sword-fighting would be great! I wish there was something like that nearby here.

I think you’re right to make sure your kids can defend themselves and handle guns with respect. I sincerely hope you always stay safe.

Great site!! I also have four boys ages between 2-18. I grew up around guns and hunting and around age 3-5 the boys are taught how to use, fire, clean and take care of their guns. Around age 10, they are certified in pistols and shotguns. I also homeschool and they earn their NRA badges as part of our curriculum along with archery, martial arts and sword-fighting.

They have play guns and know the difference, just as they have play cars and know the difference between something real and dangerous and something to play with.

We have recently moved from a large place in the country on several acres to a rather bad part of town and I keep the pistols handy and loaded. This particular part of town has need of that kind of home protection and it’s not unusual to hear the police sirens several times a night in our apartment complex.

I feel better knowing my children understand and respect guns and should the situation arise, be able to defend themselves and their brothers from harm. I feel if you buy a gun for protection, having it locked or disabled makes it into simply a cudgel and you might as well save yourself some money and use a baseball bat. I have a concealed carry warrant for my job and have spoken with several law enforcement officers in the area. They all agree with me on this and our children often shoot in competition together.

I understand this is a rather different view than others may take, but I also feel strongly that if the bad guys have guns (and around here they do) , I want my family to be able to protect themselves accordingly.

@Katie: The toy guns no pointing rule is hard when you get to dart guns or water guns. I gave up on the no pointing rule, but plan to remove all toys if we ever get real guns. I really like the idea of separating the two.

@Crissy: 13 and he doesn’t understand about real guns? Yikes! That’s really scary.

Thanks so much for your comments and input everyone! I’m really enjoying it.