Firearms and ChildCare: To Disclose or Not

[daycare]

Yes, although the older I have gotten, the less I really like it. Too lean INHO. My dad is a super big black bear hunter. My cousin (a girl) shot the largest black bear in the state last year with a bow/arrow.

Black bear is a very common food source here

sorry the city girl in me has to say EEEEWWWWW Really. wow I would have never thought. Guess because here in Cali the only bears I have even seen were always in a State Park and it would be illegal to shoot those ones, so the thought never crossed my mind. It's got to be super healthy.....

[Countrygal]

I love bear meat, but haven't had any for years. Don't care for venison or 'coon, though. Like elk. Snake is good. So is turtle.

As for guns here..... have them, keep them up waaaayyyy high and keep a clip loaded but not in gun. Shoot, by the time I figure out how to load and shoot the dumb thing it takes me 20 minutes!!! (OK, I confess, 18 of that is spent finding the clip....)

I have had two sick (one I am pretty sure was rabid) coons on property in last 10 years, have had a bear within spitting distance of my clothesline. Yep, I'm keeping my gun, but then I've been hunting since I was 14 and have also been trained in law enforcement to carry a sidearm.

[Christian Mother]

I was just thinking this...this topic has stayed with me through out the day...

I know we are going to have guns in our home eventually. I have one family who hunts and they have a gun safe as well. None of my parents ever have asked but I don't believe it would be a issue.

I'm going to be honest with you all. Things are happening out there and we need to be prepared. We take care of others children we need to be prepared to defend our children and the children we care for. What happens if the economy falls flat and people who are prepared and have stock piles of food and water in their homes are robbed. These things could def. happen and it's best to just be prepared. I hate guns but I'll tell you what...I wouldn't hesitate if it came down to them or me. Those children are my first priority and you can bet that that is what I'd be telling parents.

I want to get over this fear of guns and the only way to do that is to learn and handle one. I want to be able to protect my self and others bc I am tiny. And if my husband can't get to me its up to me to protect those that are in my care. People who are desperate for food and water and what ever else you have to offer in your home will do what ever it takes to get to it. Be need to be prepared for anything. I am not saying that it is going to happen now or soon but it's always best to be prepared. And for those that are uneasy about a home with a gun it's there choose not to except a daycare that owns one. But for me I am rethinking not choosing to place my child in one. I would question if they are lic. where it is kept and what type of lessons or certifications they have to have and own one. As you can see I don't know much about it but it's worth looking into it further.

[Unregistered]

I was just thinking this...this topic has stayed with me through out the day...

I know we are going to have guns in our home eventually. I have one family who hunts and they have a gun safe as well. None of my parents ever have asked but I don't believe it would be a issue.

I'm going to be honest with you all. Things are happening out there and we need to be prepared. We take care of others children we need to be prepared to defend our children and the children we care for. What happens if the economy falls flat and people who are prepared and have stock piles of food and water in their homes are robbed. These things could def. happen and it's best to just be prepared. I hate guns but I'll tell you what...I wouldn't hesitate if it came down to them or me. Those children are my first priority and you can bet that that is what I'd be telling parents.

I want to get over this fear of guns and the only way to do that is to learn and handle one. I want to be able to protect my self and others bc I am tiny. And if my husband can't get to me its up to me to protect those that are in my care. People who are desperate for food and water and what ever else you have to offer in your home will do what ever it takes to get to it. Be need to be prepared for anything. I am not saying that it is going to happen now or soon but it's always best to be prepared. And for those that are uneasy about a home with a gun it's there choose not to except a daycare that owns one. But for me I am rethinking not choosing to place my child in one. I would question if they are lic. where it is kept and what type of lessons or certifications they have to have and own one. As you can see I don't know much about it but it's worth looking into it further.

I agree with you 100%, and you should definitely get educated! I promise you, once you find out that guns are not scary (in the hands of a responsible, educated person), you might actualy enjoy how much fun it can be to target shoot and hit a mark!

[spud912]

I want to get over this fear of guns and the only way to do that is to learn and handle one. I want to be able to protect my self and others bc I am tiny. And if my husband can't get to me its up to me to protect those that are in my care. People who are desperate for food and water and what ever else you have to offer in your home will do what ever it takes to get to it. Be need to be prepared for anything. I am not saying that it is going to happen now or soon but it's always best to be prepared. And for those that are uneasy about a home with a gun it's there choose not to except a daycare that owns one. But for me I am rethinking not choosing to place my child in one. I would question if they are lic. where it is kept and what type of lessons or certifications they have to have and own one. As you can see I don't know much about it but it's worth looking into it further.

I agree....I think people are becoming more and more fearful of guns, which makes them more dangerous in my opinion (some people become irrational when they see one). My husband is in law enforcement and hence, we do own a gun. It is unloaded in a locked safe (with a key my husband carries) in a locked room. The bullets are locked in a separate locked room.

I've been asked once if we had a gun and where we store it. Otherwise, I do not automatically disclose that we own a gun (mainly because of the irrational fears). There are many more things in this world that are much much more dangerous than a gun.

I've been raised in a household with guns (none of which were locked) with brothers and none of us have ever had any desire to play with them (not saying that this applies to all children of course). I think the most important thing is early education about guns.

[Blackcat31]

OP~ Can I ask you why did you feel the need to post this as unregistered?

I don't mean this rudely but am just really wondering why? Were you afraid of what others would say if you shared your feelings about it and they didn't agree? or are you worried that your families might if they read this?

FWIW~ I am one of those people who is always analyzing the "why" behind people's actions, so really, I am only asking out of curiosity, not to be offensive. (You are welcome to PM me if you don't feel comfy responding openly.)

I do think that gun education and all the stuff posters have mentioned on here are all very good points as well as things people should be concerned and aware of, so basically I am just wondering why you felt it was necessary to not post openly....especially since you have offered some wonderful advice for others and feel so strongly about it.

Personally, I just wouldn't have had an issue standing openly and firmly on something I really believe.

[nannyde]

Yes, although the older I have gotten, the less I really like it. Too lean INHO. My dad is a super big black bear hunter. My cousin (a girl) shot the largest black bear in the state last year with a bow/arrow.

Black bear is a very common food source here

I've never had bear. I would try it though. For sure.

My Dad lives in Rapid City and he was telling me they are having a really big problem with mountain lions there. The winter of 2010 he had one go right thru his back yard. I guess they are desimating the elk there. It's a tough thing to keep up with because they have to fight environmental groups to increase the tags they allow to keep the population down.

He told me some people eat the cat but I can't see that. A bear... I would try. I don't know about a cat.

I think some of the state regs have to keep in mind wild animals too when they are doing licensing regs. Not just safety for intruders or bad guys but protection from wild life.

[Breezy]

Here the bears come down from the mountains in the summer and swim in the swimming pools in peoples backyards!!

[Bella99]

Firearms are illegal in Canada, so.. ::

[nannyde]

Here the bears come down from the mountains in the summer and swim in the swimming pools in peoples backyards!!

I've never been really close up to a bear except for last summer at Bear Country in Rapid City. I heard they stink really bad.

[Bella99]

I've never been really close up to a bear except for last summer at Bear Country in Rapid City. I heard they stink really bad.

This reminded me of something..
Last summer at my cottage we heard screaming from the neighbors kids next door, and "BEAR!". Supposedly they were sitting in the screen room watching TV while the parents were at another neighbors, looked over and there was a bear sitting in the screen room! They had to walk (well, RUN) by him to be able to get inside, and he didn't budge! He left after they went in the door.

The next morning I went to see if everyone was OK, and the mother was there febreezing the screenroom, saying that the bear left a bad stench behind. ::::

[DCBlessings27]

I was just thinking this...this topic has stayed with me through out the day...

I know we are going to have guns in our home eventually. I have one family who hunts and they have a gun safe as well. None of my parents ever have asked but I don't believe it would be a issue.

I'm going to be honest with you all. Things are happening out there and we need to be prepared. We take care of others children we need to be prepared to defend our children and the children we care for. What happens if the economy falls flat and people who are prepared and have stock piles of food and water in their homes are robbed. These things could def. happen and it's best to just be prepared. I hate guns but I'll tell you what...I wouldn't hesitate if it came down to them or me. Those children are my first priority and you can bet that that is what I'd be telling parents.

I want to get over this fear of guns and the only way to do that is to learn and handle one. I want to be able to protect my self and others bc I am tiny. And if my husband can't get to me its up to me to protect those that are in my care. People who are desperate for food and water and what ever else you have to offer in your home will do what ever it takes to get to it. Be need to be prepared for anything. I am not saying that it is going to happen now or soon but it's always best to be prepared. And for those that are uneasy about a home with a gun it's there choose not to except a daycare that owns one. But for me I am rethinking not choosing to place my child in one. I would question if they are lic. where it is kept and what type of lessons or certifications they have to have and own one. As you can see I don't know much about it but it's worth looking into it further.

I am in agreement with you. I think that I will have a gun eventually. For now, I keep putting it off. My parents, in-laws, husband's sis, husband's brother, all have guns. All but my mil have concealed permits. My husband really thinks that we need one in our house. I am finally really considering it because my parents' house in the country just got robbed a few weeks ago. I don't know if they had a weapon or not, but I was glad that my mom (who is normally home) had an appt. that day. Then, we had a rash of robberies in our city (though not in my safer neighborhood).

I am afraid of the dangers that come with a gun even though I've held the (unloaded) guns of my in-laws. I just don't see how having a gun would make me safer in my house than if I didn't have it. I could see someone turning it on me before I could use the thing.

As to licensing, we are to have it locked away separately from the ammunition. However, licensing surveyors will only ask if it's stored in the correct manner. They don't want the surveyors handling weapons. My husband's rifle is stored in my in-law's safe so not on our property at all. I would disclose to my parents that we had a gun. I've never been asked though.

Since we are seriously considering getting a gun, my husband and I have talked about the plans we have to prepare for it. We want a biometric gun safe. I have never shot a gun either, so I would have to go shooting and be trained in how to use one. My husband has also gone so far as to look into the different types of guns bc he wouldn't want me using one with a large kickback (I think that's the term?).

The only other problem I see with having a gun is if it would be that effective. If I have to go run to my safe, unlock it, unlock the ammo, load the weapon and then bring it out to protect myself, would it be worth the effort? The way I see it, the intruder would have hurt me before I could get my "protection."

[Heidi]

I've never been really close up to a bear except for last summer at Bear Country in Rapid City. I heard they stink really bad.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE BEAR COUNTRY BEARS!!::

When I was 10, we visited there. I thought the baby bears were "so cute", I decided to try to pet one. He didn't really like being petted, or maybe he thought I looked yummy...and bit my hand.

Dumb kid...that's why they now have 2 layers of barriers around the animal enclosures.

Hey...I have some pretty bearish kids here some days! :confused:

[Country Kids]

There are so many injuries and deaths now from guns and I'm not sure why. Just last week there was a little one shot that had found his daddy's concealed gun under the truck seat.

I grew up with guns, lots of guns. Was hunting by daddys side at like 2 or 3 years old. Not for long because I couldn't keep quite and boy the hikes were long and dad got tired of carrying me when I got to tired to walk-.

Didn't bother me to have squirrels hanging around my neck after we shot them, even though it did bother my mom but guess what I still lived. Nothing like turning on the garage light and wow, there was the deer hanging that dad had shot.

My son not even old enough to drive but he has his bear head hanging up that he shot. The meat, sausage, and jerky were quite yummy!

The whole time I was growing up, my parents kept a loaded gun by there bed. I was taught not to ever, ever touch it, that it was protection for our family. All my friends parents kept loaded guns but we all knew what they were for-protection and hunting.

I think with the right education, training, and knowledge, guns can be used correctly and be around children.

[Unregistered]

OP~ Can I ask you why did you feel the need to post this as unregistered?

I don't mean this rudely but am just really wondering why? Were you afraid of what others would say if you shared your feelings about it and they didn't agree? or are you worried that your families might if they read this?

FWIW~ I am one of those people who is always analyzing the "why" behind people's actions, so really, I am only asking out of curiosity, not to be offensive. (You are welcome to PM me if you don't feel comfy responding openly.)

I do think that gun education and all the stuff posters have mentioned on here are all very good points as well as things people should be concerned and aware of, so basically I am just wondering why you felt it was necessary to not post openly....especially since you have offered some wonderful advice for others and feel so strongly about it.

Personally, I just wouldn't have had an issue standing openly and firmly on something I really believe.

Sure, I don't mind answering your questions. I always respect a wanting to know more question

I partially posted unregistered because there are many pre-conceived notions about firearms, which mostly stems from not knowing enough about them, other than what you hear on the news, etc, which is mostly negative. I would very much dislike to be judged within the forum for my views on firearms; and while I may be assuming that I would be judged, I would prefer not to put myself out there like that. Just a personal preference.

I mainly posted unregistered because I have parents and families that use this site. It wouldn't be too hard to read my specific posts under my daycare.com name and figure out who I am, if you really wanted to. I would hate even more to be judged by one of my families, or even lose clients and compromise my familys income by bringing up such a sensitive topic. I am a very respectable, caring daycare provider, and my position on this matter does not affect my job as a caregiver, but other parents, families, etc might not share that same view.

I didnt post anonymous because I was worried people would disagree. I expected many different viewpoints, other than my own, and I respect each individual's opinions on the matter. Like you said, nothing is fool-proof I am just taking extra precautions to make sure I dont rattle anyone that I work with, even if it is only a .0001% chance.