You father actually gave you the reasoning... "there's enough violence... people WILL shoot you for looking at them wrong."They know I'm responsible, intelligent, and one of the "good guys." This all stems from something my dad said "there's enough violence w/o everyone having a gun; people would shoot you for just looking at them wrong."
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
I've got my permit and a couple of guns I practice with regularly, and have recently decided to purchase a gun suitable for concealed carry, after months of research. The question is I'm not sure how to explain it to my parents. I know, "do what you want who gives a...!" The thing is I'm a student being supported by my parents ($), not to mention that I love and respect them very much and would rather not go behind their backs (but would if I had to). They know I'm responsible, intelligent, and one of the "good guys." This all stems from something my dad said "there's enough violence w/o everyone having a gun; people would shoot you for just looking at them wrong." Now I could come up with ways to go against his argument. They're not anti-gun by any means. Dad's been NRA for years (weird, huh??). I think what I'm asking is how others might've broken the ice to parents, good friends, spouses, etc; not so much point by point arguments in favor.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
I like your response...though honesty had already been put across, yours is from experience. Welcome to this forum. This is a keeper so it is the only gun forum that I subscribe to. Besides, I don't have time to spare as we travel a lot. But that is besides the point. I believe we can learn from you as much as you will learn from various levels of intelligence and experience of this group.I'm a student as well, and supported by my parents. I know the delima you're in. I decided at first I wouldn't say anything and went out and bought an AR (yeah subtle I know) and got busted when UPS shows up with AR accessories. Once the cat was out of the bag it really wasn't that bad. My parents weren't anti-gun, but never owned any firearms. We had a nice discussion and they seemed to be more upset at the fact that I kept this secret than buying the gun.
Once I was of age I told them I would be going to take my CWP class to carry concealed. They were weary of this but I reassured them that I, like you, was a good guy and one that was a responsible firearm owner. Once I obtained my permit I carried every place I had the legal right to. I was constantly questioned if it was really necessary to carry at a certain place. I always reminded them that crime can occur anywhere and the reason I had a permit was to protect myself. I encouraged them to pick up the paper and see the crime that was happening.
I guess what I'm saying is to be honest and up front. Make your case and explain your reasoning. I wish I would have. Now (a year later) I take the family out to shoot regularly and my dad even has a permit. They shouldn't doubt your judgement unless you've given them a reason to. If you would have told me a few years ago that I would have a CWP and own several firearms I wouldn't believe you. I think going about it the right way is important. Good luck!
I like your response...though honesty had already been put across, yours is from experience. Welcome to this forum. This is a keeper so it is the only gun forum that I subscribe to. Besides, I don't have time to spare as we travel a lot. But that is besides the point. I believe we can learn from you as much as you will learn from various levels of intelligence and experience of this group.
Honesty is the best policy, really.
Most people who get guns for self-defense carry because we just want to be prepared. With that in mind, I would explain it like this:
Like any normal adult, you try to think ahead and try to be prepared. Who owns a fire extinguisher? Who keeps candles and/or flashlights in the house? Who has "emergency money" that is separate from their day-to-day money? All these practices are for those who hope for the best, but want to be prepared for the worst. To that end, Mom and Dad, I have carefully researched and then selected some firearms, regularly practiced with them for proficiency, and have adopted the mentality of the responsible gun owner.
For me, I don't advertise to people that I am carrying. IF they do comment on the fact that I always have a gun on me or within arms reach, I simply reply that "I would rather have it (be it a gun, fire extinguisher, flashlight, or whatever) and never need it, than to need it and not have it."
For those who point out that the likelihood of crime in my area is very low, I look at them and say, "Just because there is no precedence doesn't mean it won't happen. Look at the Petit family in Connecticut. Look at the folks at Fort Hood. Look at the campers in Oslo." Again, simply put: I would rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Good luck with breaking the ice. I hope your discussion with your parents is a positive one and opens the topic up for further discourse.
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