starkicker3 asked this question on 3/6/2000:
How do parents play a role in gun control?
cruzmsl gave this response on 3/14/2000:
Well I am yet to be a parent, however I do have neices,nephews and have done seminars involving gun control and dare programs. The primary question is do you the parent need a gun? Most men (I say this cautiosly)feel the need for a gun or equally equivalent weapon to defend thier house or family in the event of an emergency. You can use fundamental ways of securing a or any weapon by properly storing it in a safe or locker where you would need a jackhammer or the proper key to open it up. Children are very aware of items that appear "cool" and threatening to others, they will attempt to learn or obtain as much information of "that cool thing" so be aware of where you put that key or whos watching when you enter that code Now you wonder why I say "equivalent weapon" well there are other weapons that are equally dangerous as a gun. You have knives, stunguns, collapsable batons, etc.The whole gun/weapons control work on intention, what intention do these children have when it comes to anger management? Anger management in children is up to the modern day parent, who has to work 8 hours a day, come home and try to relax, whereas the child spends the whole day in school and part of his day at home..therefore absorbing his peers actions which include but are not limited to cussing, gang association by pressure, theft, (whether it be as minor as stealing a pen)smoking, drugs, all the above and more. You will hardly ever know if your child is doing any of the above if you do not pay close attention to his actions...get involved with his school, introduce him to school oriented activities, make a family night to a arcade or other child activities. The more time you spend with your child the more ways you will know if he or she has a problem and you will be able to intercept any future problems. Remember you are the parent who is supposed to know better and show better, do not let your workplace foil your childs ability to learn and grow with you, use every chance you have to educate the child of present and future dangers and consequenses and don't be afraid to speak the truth of guns and weapons, because eventually he will learn it from his peers, but the real truth will come from his parents. Children learn from not just school and home, but from ANY source that they can absorb so be aware of his or her surroundings. Let me tell you a true story...This cop friend of mine invited me to his home where he braggingly told his 12year old son to show me his gun, well out came this kid with a .40 caliber glock handgun(bigger than my service handgun) the friend told me "and he knows how to use it in case he has to" I told my friend he was a little too young to own a handgun, and he said "he himself owned one when he was his age.well about 6 months passed and his son was with friends in a car when an argument ensued with older teenagers in another car...the 12 year old shot the car 15times killing one teen and injuring two more, he got probation till he was 18 then they were going to decide on his fate as an adult..why did he get probation? because the other kids had a gun also and he pleaded self defense. Its out there parents, gun control is in your hands, and the childs intention. If theres anything else I can help with please ask and please rate. Thank You.
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