Rant-- Accountability -- edited for meaning

[saddina]

I do have an unsual set of skills. The thing about a knife is it feels more personal than shooting a snake with a gun, it's not easy to explain, but the opossum I cried over, the snakes and coyotes with a rifle I didn't. In both cases, glad it's never been another person. And when not sheathed on me, my blades are all locked up.

Disclaimer, I do use butterknives to teach how to juggle, so I am a lil obcessed on thier weight and balance.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
haha read your title missy

If had had skills like that... no possum would be safe near my chooks!

Ok, so lets talk about anything dangerous with kids.... guns, knives, drugs, smoking, premarital relations etc......

I think education (when age appropriate) is key in preventing kids from obsessing.

Just like fire, I have had kids here who were fascinated with fire. So I take them out to the firepit out back or the burn barrel. I make them start the fire (safely) and tend to it. I talk about what they are burning, why it is there (because my paper products are generally burned and the ash returned to the garden) or what to look out for... like burning pine... sometimes it pops... etc... and guess what? The firebugs get it out of their system in a big hurry because now they know about it.

It becomes a tool. Like the butter knife in the drawer... how many folks ever think about butter knives? Just about any time you want a sandwich.. but other than that, do you obsess on a butter knife?

We could get crazy with the number of things that are a danger to children. I was one that was caught on top of the fridge at 2 eating Flintstone vitamins like candy. I am alive and well.

They had vitamins when we were that age?

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Yes, lots of things can be dangerous to kids, but it's a parents job to use judgement to protect them from themselves sometimes. Some things you protect kids for are debatable, but lethal things are a little more serious. Sure you can teach them, but why not be safe and not sorry. Teach them but use precautions. there is nothing wrong with that. You can own a gun, teach your kids about guns, have the gun locked up for when you are not supervising and still be pro gun ownership.

I also have to add that I was astonished when I saw the post about "believing that you should have the right to shoot someone who is not harming you but won't leave your house". I'm sorry, but if they are not harming you, and you have an alternative like calling the cops and waiting for that person to (A) leave or (B) try to kill you (and then you get to shoot them) or (C) be dragged away by the cops. Not leaving someone's house is an arrestable offense, not a death penalty offense.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:

We could get crazy with the number of things that are a danger to children. I was one that was caught on top of the fridge at 2 eating Flintstone vitamins like candy. I am alive and well.

They had vitamins when we were that age?

WE???? Dude that was like 16 years before you born.

 

[HippieChickens]

Quote:
Well said.

For some people, that obsession seems to be an attempt to compensate for feelings of personal inadequacy. My most gun-obsessed relative, an older cousin, was also a slob hunter who bought hunting licenses under the names of his wife and baby son so he could rack up a higher body count and an incorrigible womanizer with no regard for age or blood relationship.

PurpleChicken: Thank you so much for your thoughtful and compassionate response. Warms my heart. BTW, as Boyd now knows, your assessment of the seriousness of the intent by the choice of method isn't anything I don't already know from personal experience.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
would I be better to clobber them bare fisted or use a baseball bat?

edited: because either one would break bones and cause brain damage if I was angered. They might prefer the gun.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I very pointedly said someone who REFUSES to leave. That is a threat. Of course if it some old man who demands food, another story. I am thinking an intruder that will not leave. Many times the person threatening will not give you time to pick up your phone to call the cops. Sorry, but I am not gonna be attacked or raped because they "may" not intend harm.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

If you break in my house with me home you will get a gun pointed at you. If you chose not to turn around at that point I am not taking the time to ask you your ententions.

 

[WriterofWords]

If someone enters my house uninvited to me that means they have violent intentions and I am in danger and so is my child. Yes, I will shoot, I've done it before I can do it again. If I invite someone into my house and they refuse to leave that is a different story and will be handled accordingly, I don't think there was any confusion at all in the earlier post concerning this issue.
Got your back there Deb,,,

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
hehehe I was trying not to point out how old you are

I was sharing the blame.