Guns and Coffee

I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers but I do LOVE guns and coffee! I held, and shot, my first gun at the age of three. Although I feel that is a bit young for my children, I am proud of the fact I was taught how to handle a gun and the consequences of misusing one. My parents had a gun cabinet that only DID NOT lock but had no door on it at all. We had guns, some loaded, right there at our fingertips. My brother and I never felt compelled to experiment with them while our parents were out because we were taught to respect them and to be afraid of them if used inappropriately. I appreciate that lesson. We were more concerned about doing the things we were told NOT to do...like using the stove while they were out...that we did every single time they left the house. It was the thrill of getting away with something we were forbid to do.

My oldest is seven and I feel she is reaching an age where it would be ok for her to feel the power of a gun in her hands. All three of my children have been taught the dangers of guns and what they should and should not be used for. We cannot protect our children from everything and we must educate them when and where we can. I need for my children to know that if they are ever in a place where a gun is available to them, how to handle the situation. I don't want them to be scared because all they have ever heard is how "bad" guns are. It is as much the guns fault for killing someone as it is that fast food makes us fat. It's a choice...you choose to pick up a gun and aim it at someone YOU are making that choice. If you choose to eat a greasy burger for every meal YOU are making that choice. Our world spends too much time finding ways to blame things that cannot fight back instead of taking our, ever pointing, fingers and turning them back toward ourselves.

If you are afraid, you will teach your children to be afraid. So don't judge me. I can assure you I will do everything in my power to teach my children how to be survivors and how to assume responsibility for their actions...whether it be using a gun or eating fast food all day. There are always consequences for poor decisions. Again, I was raised around them, taught to use them, knew of the consequences of misusing them...I have yet to kill anyone, or anything, with a gun to date. However, if I was ever threatened by an evil force I would not become a victim...neither will my children.