CharlieT Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 To be fair, it's a bit different to having knives. The legal status is different for a start. Also the process of hurting yourself or someone else is rather different. I'm agreeing with those who say it's about key safety combined with education and teaching the child respect from the start. I think you are making to much of an issue of having guns in the house. I'd be far more concerned about knives, chemicals and electric plugs then I would be about a couple of guns. All you need to do is apply a little thought and common sence and all will be well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I have two young daughter now 10 and 7. From the first day I got my shotguns, they have both been interested. The first thing I did was show them the gun and explain the safety of them. In fact my youngest took to the safety side of things so fast it's amazing. They both have come to the clay range with me to watch me shoot. My guns and cartridges are locked in my loft. I believe if you don't make a fuss to kids and take all the mystery away from an item you stop the children been curious over an object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del T Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 What about cartridges? Ours are simply in a cupboard in the spare room. Mine are simply stacked up in the spare room in slabs, I keep most of the carts in the garage until they are required and bring them in the house. I've got a box of empties that the wee man plays about with like little ones do, in the box, out the box,in the box,out the box X 50 times lol, keeps him entertained! If you make a huge fuss over them playing with carts then they will want to do it more and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I've got a box of empties that the wee man plays about with like little ones do, in the box, out the box,in the box,out the box X 50 times lol, keeps him entertained! If you make a huge fuss over them playing with carts then they will want to do it more and more. Ooh, good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbyathome Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) f That's a very helpful point. I think a keysafe is a must. The infra red alarm I am filing away for future reference. I am reading the other responses with interest. What about cartridges? Ours are simply in a cupboard in the spare room. to be honest if you are worried about cartridges get yourself a cabinet for them and keep them locked away in a few years time by the way firearms regulations are going everyone will have to have them anyway get it now and save yourself any worry also where have you got your gun cabinet ? if possible if you have a loft put it up there out of the way and as most posts say treat them like any other dangerous items in the house bring your children up with your sport and keep them interested and they will treat it with respect Edited May 11, 2015 by nobbyathome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixhills 69 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 It's all about Education it's not hard children learn very fast and if they are educated correctly you will not have to worry. My gun cabinet has a keypad and I keep my cartridges on a high shelf in a cuboard out the way but my kids from the day they started to crawl were told no as they have grown I have shown them different aspects of the shooting world. I think your worrying about nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 brought up 2 kids with guns in the house,dont see any thing wrong with that, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 its a bit of a wierd modern attitude people have adopted nowadays, i grew up on a farm in the 70's and used to walk about with an air rifle and big sheath knife attached to my belt as soon as i had a belt ! My dad educated us all that knives were tools and dangerous and to be carefull which i did and never harmed myself or anyone else with it, nowadays we all assume that children are idiots and can't or shouldnt be trusted which is bovine fecal matter! my guns are in a cabinet in my spare room/study which is a no go area for my toddler unless she is accompanied by one of us, it will remain this way until she is old enough to be trusted when i will take her out with a gun and a knife rabbiting and to do some clay bashing so she knows they are tools and dangerous and not toys to be played with by wannabe gangsters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) To be fair, it's a bit different to having knives. The legal status is different for a start. Also the process of hurting yourself or someone else is rather different. I'm agreeing with those who say it's about key safety combined with education and teaching the child respect from the start. To be fair its no different, forget the guns they're in a cabinet that without the keys cant be accessed, so you treat the keys as you would anything else you dont want your children to have access too, just like knives, pointy things, chemicals and anything else that may hurt your child... its really isnt a complicated issue in that respect. You should have your keys secure from EVERYONE not just your kids so in that respect its not an issue either. as I said earlier, its about inclusion, education and normality. Edited May 11, 2015 by thepasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperkins Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) Now I only wish I had thought of this forty years ago FOSTER THE KIDS OUT! Look at the benefits- You will not age three years to every one. You will look so young that if you have got a brother who is without these responsibilities will not be regularly asked if he is your son!!!! There is a possibility that your hair will remain on your head as opposed to migrating to your ears and your back. Sleep will be easy, without the need for drugs (prescription, obviously) or copious amounts of alcohol. You will probably not put on weight ( too busy enjoying life, shooting, holidays ect) because you have got ENERGY!and MONEY! Interior of the car will look like a car, not the floor of MacDonalds on a bank holiday. I might just mention a couple of things, just one more time, ENERGY! MONEY! That weird quizzical frowning look of bewilderment that dads have when you have just been notified of their latest bit of mischief (I have to warn you, after a few years of parenthood, that look is a fixture) I could go on and I do not want to appear to harsh, by all means see your children as often as practicable, lets say once every 15 or 20 years. In my own case I welcome my own children back with their little families just to smile as I see all the above happening to my sons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAYBACK Edited May 11, 2015 by copperkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Guns/cartridges and children aren't really an issue. I would be far more worried about a small child getting their hands on a tub of painkillers, for instance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 My wee man is only 8 months old, so a little too young yet; however, I can't wait to get him involved in shooting. When I was a child my Father took me out in the field from about the age of 4; he taught me safety with firearms and more importantly respect for how dangerous they can be. I intend in bringing my son up the same and hopefully he will love fieldsports as much as I do!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) Mine are simply stacked up in the spare room in slabs, I keep most of the carts in the garage until they are required and bring them in the house. I've got a box of empties that the wee man plays about with like little ones do, in the box, out the box,in the box,out the box X 50 times lol, keeps him entertained! If you make a huge fuss over them playing with carts then they will want to do it more and more. Beware of any lead residue that might be left in and on the hulls especially the crimp end which is the end that they might put in their mouth, highly toxic to young children, just a thought! Edited May 11, 2015 by STOTTO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) I grew up in a house where there was always a shotgun leaning against the fireplace. Edited May 11, 2015 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1984 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) My guns are obviously locked in a gun safe and my cartridges are locked in another safe in another room in a locked cupboard and only i know there the keys to both are. I think educating them from an early age is the key. ( my daughters 2 so not really an issue yet ) as soon as im back from shooting or buying cartridges they are locked away. Its only a second to forget but a lifetime of regret if anything was to happen. And in our house theres only me that can reach bleach etc because my wife made me move it out of reach and shes only 5ft !☺ Edited May 11, 2015 by rich1984 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo90 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 This reminds me of when my wife was child minding. Ofsted do an inspection to approve the house. The lady on the inspection found my gun cabinet, obviously a large locked steel cabinet approved by the police, key with me on my key ring at all times......housed in a built in cupboard in an upstairs bedroom. Asked what it was, my wife explained its my gun safe and contains my shotguns, its locked and police approved and the kids won't be able to get into it, my husband has the key and no one else can get in...... She insisted we put a catch on the cupboard door that housed the gun cabinet? Literally a small bolt with no lock and she felt better that it would make it so much harder for the kids to access the guns! What a pillock! I put a bolt on the cupboard door at her insistence...... A colleague of hers came to do the follow up visit and was amazed at that request, the second lady understood shooting and the law a tad better and just shrugged her shoulders at her colleagues crazy request. So to answer the first posters question...... Ofsted would suggest a cupboard bolt on the cupboard that houses the shotgun cabinet! I would be more worried about kitchen utensils and such Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 My little girl is nearly six months old. I'm now wondering how to manage the issue of being a shooting household. Neither set of grandparents shot in our lifetimes so we have no example to follow. I've got a few years grace but what to do when a child is old enough to open doors and rummage through draws looking for keys? What do you do about storing cartridges? Is being firm about "don't touch" enough? From those of you who are making it work I'd like to hear what you are doing. Mine don't bother and I have four kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Now I only wish I had thought of this forty years ago FOSTER THE KIDS OUT! Look at the benefits- You will not age three years to every one. You will look so young that if you have got a brother who is without these responsibilities will not be regularly asked if he is your son!!!! There is a possibility that your hair will remain on your head as opposed to migrating to your ears and your back. Sleep will be easy, without the need for drugs (prescription, obviously) or copious amounts of alcohol. You will probably not put on weight ( too busy enjoying life, shooting, holidays ect) because you have got ENERGY!and MONEY! Interior of the car will look like a car, not the floor of MacDonalds on a bank holiday. I might just mention a couple of things, just one more time, ENERGY! MONEY! That weird quizzical frowning look of bewilderment that dads have when you have just been notified of their latest bit of mischief (I have to warn you, after a few years of parenthood, that look is a fixture) I could go on and I do not want to appear to harsh, by all means see your children as often as practicable, lets say once every 15 or 20 years. In my own case I welcome my own children back with their little families just to smile as I see all the above happening to my sons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAYBACK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 For me cabinet is in a cupboard with a bolt at the top keep little hands away from even getting to the cabinet, then key security removes more temptation. But education is key, don't make them afraid of guns but let them inderstand if they are misused they can be dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 My little girl doesn't often play with toy guns but when she does, she knows you must never point them at anyone. We never had cabinet latches - she was told "No" if she tried opening cupboards which meant that wherever we went it didn't matter if the kitchen was baby proofed or not as she never got into the habit of looking She's nearly 6 now & says she'll come shooting with me when she's 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyatt Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I've 2 girls who are just 3. When they were born I upgraded my safe to take my air rifles, this is also inaccessible to them. From as soon as they're old enough they're taught about things, they know which end of a knive is sharp and that the kettle/oven is hot. They know that guns are tools and are used to control pests. They know the basic parts and are exposed to them in a controled way as to build respect and interest. If they want, they can come with me one day. I hope they do but then if they want their own I'll be skint. Nothing is forced on them, they are being introduced to everything at their own pace so that they learn well. They love lying in my gun slip and being carried around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liamey Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 My little girl is nearly six months old. I'm now wondering how to manage the issue of being a shooting household. Neither set of grandparents shot in our lifetimes so we have no example to follow. I've got a few years grace but what to do when a child is old enough to open doors and rummage through draws looking for keys? What do you do about storing cartridges? Is being firm about "don't touch" enough? From those of you who are making it work I'd like to hear what you are doing. As many others have said, the best thing you can do is to normalize the situation. Whether a home has firearms or not, there are other dangers such as cleaning chemicals etc. and for the first few years of life parents literally need eyes in the back of their heads. I'm fortunate enough to have a dedicated room for all my firearms and shooting gear, a man cave of sorts. Nothing mysterious in there and my children have seen everything a thousand times before. That being said I have my main keys to the room on my person, and cabinet keys in a combination lock safe. To top it off all my firearms have combination locks on them. I would prefer to go over the top any day than risk the safety of a child. Cartridges etc should also be cleared out of coat pockets when you are done in the field and securely put away with the rest of the gear. Above all else it is good to encourage a healthy interest with children in shooting. I'm sure you will have many great and safe years as a shooting family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Far more danger in the medecine cabinet, the school playground, walking near roads, sweets, the kitchen drawers, football, running, etc etc etc. In then UK guns should be locked away, very simple so tell those that believe we just leave them lying around that this is not media crazed America Got to say I agree with that especially football fine for girls but you don't want a son turning gay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliver90owner Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 The shotguns (12bores and garden gun) and rifle were stood in the hall between the kitchen and pantry doors. The pistol (humane killer) was kept in the wardrobe or dressing table drawer in their bedroom. Ammo was higher than we could climb as small children (top shelf of the kitchen cupboard) but not hidden.. Never any problem with any of us three boys or our cousins when they visited. But we did live on a farm and followed Grandad, and later Dad, while shooting rabbits. There was never a problem, ever, as I recall. I simply 'took'over' the rifle from Dad's FAC on his death in 1968. Security was the same as previous and no particular checks until after the idiot, with an assault rifle, in Malmesbury. How things have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 The shotguns (12bores and garden gun) and rifle were stood in the hall between the kitchen and pantry doors. The pistol (humane killer) was kept in the wardrobe or dressing table drawer in their bedroom. Ammo was higher than we could climb as small children (top shelf of the kitchen cupboard) but not hidden.. Never any problem with any of us three boys or our cousins when they visited. But we did live on a farm and followed Grandad, and later Dad, while shooting rabbits. There was never a problem, ever, as I recall. I simply 'took'over' the rifle from Dad's FAC on his death in 1968. Security was the same as previous and no particular checks until after the idiot, with an assault rifle, in Malmesbury. How things have changed. i think the point is they are less easily stolen in a cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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