Teaching moment with my 4 year old grand daughter yesterday

[Tallbald]

Miss Penny and I traveled to our daughter's home yesterday to gather up our four year old grand daughter and bring home with us for a few "just because" days of visiting. Crafting, smoking a pork butt, and a trip to an indoor pool at our health gym are on tap.
I carry a Ruger SP101 in an AIWB holster of my own design and execution.Yesterday I didn't bother covering my PPD (personal protection device), choosing a tucked in button down dress shirt instead. Kenzie my grand daughter asked "PawPaw why do you have a gun?". Searching for words appropriate to her age and the situation as we conversed with her and her mother there in the living room I replied "Kenzie honey, because God blessed me with wonderful gifts like YOU, and wants me to do everything possible to protect His gifts from dangers. My gun is one way I can help do that." I touched her nose with my index finger as I said "YOU", and asked her "What do you so if you EVER see a gun baby?" She looked confused for a moment, until I added "If you ever see a gun you don't touch it, but instead you go get an adult. OK?" I added "one day when you are old enough, your Mama and Daddy will teach you to safely hold and shoot guns.". She said "OK PawPaw", and climbed back up on the couch beside me and asked me again to "tickle my feet PawPaw!". At no time was my precious baby ever able to touch my PPD.
May God bless the children folks. And may they never experience the evil my beloved wife Miss Penny have seen and experienced.
Don.

 

[arfmel]

Amen

 

[protoolman]

After years of investigating child abuse, spousal abuse, suicides and homicides my soul aches for some of the children I have met. I pray that I can protect my grandchildren in the future from these things also. My own children grew up being taught that Dad carried a gun to protect good people from bad people and now as young adults have guns in their homes for the same reason. Great teaching moment with your granddaughter. It won't be long before her hand is just the right size for a Bearcat!

 

[Jeepnik]

I took a different route with my boys. The first time they ask, I checked to see if the revolver was empty as they watched. Then handed it to them. During this I told them about not pointing it at any one, or touching the trigger. I made darned sure they understood they were never to touch a gun without their mother or me being there.

They could hold them as often as they wanted under these rules. After a bit the fascination wore off. When it came time to teach them to shoot, they already understood the safety rules, and could make sure most types of firearms were safe (hey, slides are tough for a little guy).

 

[Kevin]

Great job! Teaching kids takes a lot of repetition. I don’t know how many times I’ve taught my daughter about gun safety. Make sure it’s unloaded, Never point a gun at someone, fingers off trigger etc.

I do know all of the parents of her friends have guns in their homes, so she has to know they aren’t toys to play with.

I’ve even spent a lot of time showing her how to reload out in the garage. Kind of funny but she actually seems to enjoy all the steps of reloading. Like a big puzzle. (She’s 9 years old.)

And Tallbald, I too hope your grand daughter doesn’t see the evils of mankind you’ve seen.

 

[Tallbald]

Thank you all for the kind words. Yes Kevin, the pain does continue. Over two years have passed. May our grandchildren never know the same ache. Another meeting in the coming weeks with the Commonwealth Prosecutor, followed by another pre-trial hearing for the accused murderer. Don.

 

[contender]

Education.
That is the key to solving most problems and issues. BUT,, only if those being taught pay attention & apply what they learn.
KUDOS for your being able to use the moment to teach. When young,, almost all kids will pay attention,, if taught nicely.

I learned this lesson from my father,, so when my son was a crawling baby,, being responsible,, I put a lock on my gun room, and of course, a safe. BUT,, as he grew,, as gifts,, he got toy guns. But,, he also got taken to the range,, and carefully shown guns, what they do, and all the safety rules. Each parent (or grandparent,) has to judge the mental state of the child from a bluntly honest view, as to when a child should touch, fondle, & even shoot a handgun. And then,, teaching safety first,, followed by the handling,, followed by actual shooting of a gun,,, will show them the power of a firearm. I know it doesn't need to be said,, but always start any shooting with a .22. (I mention it because I've seen certified NRA instructors scoff at a .22.)
By the time my son was 7, he was well aware of safety, and would shoot handguns with me. In fact, I have a picture of him, using binoculars to spot targets at age 7,, and I recall that day. He also wanted to try the Desert Eagle in 44 mag. Of course,, his hands were too small,,, so Daddy, wrapped his hands around his,, after CAREFUL explanation on the upcoming recoil, to prevent any issues. He fired his first shot,, turned, smiled & said:"Wow" and then ASKED if he could shoot another round.
To this day,, he is very safety conscious, a LEO, and has done the same with my granddaughter. My oldest,, ( a step-son,) wasn't as young when we met. But he too got the same education. He too,,, is safety conscious,,, and could not wait to legally buy his first handgun. On his 21'st b-day,, a Ruger P-89 was first,,, followed SOON by a Kimber 1911.

It's our duty to try & educate our kids, and grandkids as much as possible about firearms and safety. We do it in everything else,, so it's only natural.

And again, KUDOS to Don for his excellent answer to his granddaughter, and using it as a short teaching moment, filled with love.

 

[Don Lovel]

My youngest daughter and I had a discussion about whether my 5yr old grandson could get a Daisy Red Ryder for Christmas. We also agreed that he would be on a BB allotment. Good behavior and doing his chores gets him more bb's, then when he is done the gun gets checked for empty and then put up until he has permission and enough BBs earned to shoot it again. His mom loved to shoot when she was little.