Wife's Changing Attitudes

wrightcrew · Post by **wrightcrew** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:48 pm

I'm one of those frequent visitors to the forum, but I rarely post. I just don't have anything to add to the discussion in most cases. I wanted to share with y'all a discussion I had with my wife yesterday.

First, a little background. While neither of us has ever really been an "anti", we weren't "gun people" either. Up until about a year ago, we had very little interaction with guns and did not have any in our home. The details of how my perspective changed about guns is a subject for another post -- just suffice it to say that in the past year, I have become a gun person. I've had my CHL for about 7 months now and I carry everywhere I legally can. I've also developed an interest in mil-surp rifles and have started a small collection of those.

My wife has been at least tolerant through all of this and does see the good that comes from good people being able to defend themselves. She keeps an eye on me to make sure I don't print and even speculates with me about who may be carrying when we're out in public. She is also supportive of me teaching our sons about gun safety and starting them on the road to marksmanship.

But, up until recently, I would not have considered her a gun advocate. She was at our sons' school one day this week waiting to pick them up. While she was waiting, she was talking to another mom as they stood outside. While they were standing there, another parent pulled up and got out of his car. This was a dad of one of the kids at school, and he is a Texas Ranger (not a baseball player, though). He was dressed for work, which includes his gun in a leather holster. The mom that my wife was talking to said, "Was that a GUN??" in a very alarmed voice. My wife replied that it was, and that the man is a Texas Ranger. The other mom said, "Well, guns just make me nervous!". My wife then commented that guns are fine, and that when handled properly, can be very safe. My wife said that as soon as she made that comment, she couldn't believe that it actually came out of her mouth. It's not that she doesn't fully believe it, she was just surprised that she would take on the role of advocate on her own.

I know that she didn't give the other mom a detailed dissertation on the benefits of carrying or statistics about 2A issues. She didn't even comment about 2A issues at all since the person they were talking about is a LEO. But, by making a positive comment to another mom about guns, she made more of an impact than I or most any other person could have in that situation.

My wife is just about ready to take the CHL class and join the ranks of those who choose to accept responsibility for their own safety. It's taken a year, but she has changed from the person who make a comment about guns making her nervous to the person who will respond to that comment by saying how safe they can be when handled properly. I'm sure that as more time passes, she will become a more energetic supporter of gun rights.

Keep an eye out for her to join the forum in the next couple of months -- I'm encouraging her to join with the username wrightcrew_mom when she's ready!

Also -- thanks to all y'all that make this forum possible -- especially the moderators who do such an admirable job!

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:09 pm

That is a VERY encouraging post. Thank you so much for sharing.
So many parents are inundated with propaganda by the Brady bunch. They really don't stop and think that guns don't have to be a problem unless someone makes them such.

flintknapper · Post by **flintknapper** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:12 pm

That was quite an enjoyable read.

Thank You for sharing with us, and please do not hesitate to "participate" in any discussions.

Cosmo 9 · Post by **Cosmo 9** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:20 pm

Excellent post; now how about the story on what changed your perspective

Post by **Charles L. Cotton** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:39 pm

That was a great story and an excellent example of how all can support the Second Amendment with a single off-the-cuff statement.

Chas.

GrannyGlock · Post by **GrannyGlock** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:53 pm

wrightcrew wrote:My wife is just about ready to take the CHL class and join the ranks of those who choose to accept responsibility for their own safety. It's taken a year, but she has changed from the person who make a comment about guns making her nervous to the person who will respond to that comment by saying how safe they can be when handled properly. I'm sure that as more time passes, she will become a more energetic supporter of gun rights.

Keep an eye out for her to join the forum in the next couple of months -- I'm encouraging her to join with the username wrightcrew_mom when she's ready!

We live in such a changing world. I feel much safer accepting the responsibility for my own safety, not just in carrying a firearm, but in being aware of where I am and what's going on around me. Carrying a weapon makes me more responsible for all my actions. I am very glad she will be taking the course as well.

(And let her choose her own name if she prefers, like choosing her own carry weapon

)

40FIVER · Post by **40FIVER** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:29 pm

Cosmo 9 wrote:Excellent post; now how about the story on what changed your perspective

You have to let it out. We're your support group. And we will all say: "Now, don't you just feel better! "

Seriously, you probably have an experience that that all of us can learn from.

40FIVER

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:38 pm

Cosmo 9 wrote:Excellent post; now how about the story on what changed your perspective

I love conversion stories. Cant wait to read it.
That should get you more comfortable posting.
You probably have more to add to the discussions than you think.
The above is very good observation & writing.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:59 pm

I think this is a great thread...

And I am not surprised at how their developing interest in this issue has gone...

It went very similar to the way our interest developed, but happening many years ago...

I am certain the way it'll keep developing for them will be what we are faced with this Christmas...

With all the "extras" we get into, the gift giving prospects list has increased tenfold in little goodies we can buy each other...

"Wife Unit" is really starting to get into this aspect of our hobby...

Can't say I'm going to object...

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:42 pm

Ok, i'm being a bit silly, but I took this picture a while ago, and this thread reminded me of it.

My CAT has started to show interest in my guns!

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:14 am

my wife was the same way. i've been a commissioned cop for the entire time she's known me, so a gun just goes without saying.

a few years ago, i also got into collecting old battle rifles, and my collection has grown quite a bit. i tried to take my wife out shooting, but she fired about 4 rounds through a pistol and hasn't since touched them since.

it's funny, because last year, she suggested we get our small children rifles for christmas. we did, and i took my then 4 y/o daughter out to learn to shoot (my other is still a little young yet). both my 3 and 5 y/o are free to get their rifles out of the cabinet, so long as they ask first. when they get them out, the first thing they do is make sure the bolt is open and the chamber is clear. once they've insured that there are no bullets in it (i've tested them a few times with a spent casing, and they'll certainly catch it and alert me), they will sit down with it and gawk for a few minutes before putting it back. they both get angered and will bring it to your immediate attention if the muzzle is pointed in their general direction.

a lot of people have said i'm a 'nut case' for giving my kids guns at such young ages, and even teaching them to shoot that early. last night though, my wife surprised me at her work christmas party. the subject of guns came up. a few there said they didn't like guns because they had kids in the house. my wife piped and said that our two kids have their own rifles. those few had a rather surprised look on their faces until my wife explained to them that my kids are well versed in gun safety, and if they went to someone else's house and a child obtained a gun, not only would my kids tell an adult, but they would not want it pointed at them, and would know how to make sure it's empty. she then asked what their kids would do if in a similar situation, since they have no knowledge of guns. the subject quickly changed for lack of any further debate.

"guns make me nervous." ignorance of anything will make you nervous.

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:36 am

My lovely bride can also surprise me.

On the most recent occasion that I brought up her getting a CHL, she said that she would start carrying when we move to New Hampshire, but she refuses to pay the government so much money for what is supposed to be a right.

I really can't argue with that.

Kevin

Post by **Crossfire** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:15 pm

Chris wrote: A few there said they didn't like guns because they had kids in the house. my wife piped and said that our two kids have their own rifles. those few had a rather surprised look on their faces until my wife explained to them that my kids are well versed in gun safety, and if they went to someone else's house and a child obtained a gun, not only would my kids tell an adult, but they would not want it pointed at them, and would know how to make sure it's empty. she then asked what their kids would do if in a similar situation, since they have no knowledge of guns. the subject quickly changed for lack of any further debate.

"guns make me nervous." ignorance of anything will make you nervous.

Way to go, Mrs. Chris!!!

This is exactly what I teach to CHL students. You can keep your home gun-free, or you can keep your guns locked away safely. But then, what will your child do when he encounters a gun at little Johnny's house? How will they know what to do if you don't teach them?

You want to keep you kids safe from guns? Forget about child-proofing your guns. GUN-PROOF your child!

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:56 pm

KBCraig wrote:My lovely bride can also surprise me.

And less than an hour after I wrote that, we were walking through Wal Mart. Totally out of the blue, after no conversation about guns at all, she said, "I think it's about time to start taking that boy to the range."

"That boy" just turned 4 less than a month ago.

The only thing I've got that's anywhere close to his size, is a Winchester Model 62. The sights are so teensy that he wouldn't comprehend them. All of our scoped .22s are adult-sized. I think I'll just get the biggest Shoot-n-C target I can find, and put it really, really close, so he can see what's happening.

Kevin

jwp · Post by **jwp** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:03 pm

KBCraig wrote:
KBCraig wrote: "That boy" just turned 4 less than a month ago.

The only thing I've got that's anywhere close to his size, is a Winchester Model 62.

You might consider picking up a Keystone Cricket 22 single-shot bolt - barrel is about 16 inches, length of pull is under 12 inches, trigger pull is about 2 to 3 pounds, and the gun weighs about 2 1/2 pounds total. The MSRP is something silly ($225+) but you can find them NIB for about $130 (plus shipping or tax depending on where you find it). For example

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976463876.htm

They come in lots of colors, so if you can find them at a good price in a brick-and-mortar store that has a good selection you could let him pick out his own. You might want to have them hide the hot pink ones first - four year olds seem to like bright colors without prejudice :)