I wasn't meaning to imply that any of the commenters here were gun-phobic and I apologize if I came across that way. It just seems to be a very common reaction among many adults I've interacted with, many of whom are from more urban areas where guns are more directly associated with crime and not with "sports" or hunting.
I also wasn't meaning to seem combative about parent's views of what is dangerous for their children. I was simply providing another viewpoint as a non-parent who apparently was raised in quite a different setting. I again apologize if I offended you; it was not my intent.
With respect to loading the gun at the kitchen table, as I mentioned, I was raised in in household with guns and was taught proper gun safety and control; my father taught gun safety for well over 25 years and both his daughter were raised with a healthy respect for firearms.
However, in a rural household during hunting season, loading a weapon while at home before heading out to hunt was not that uncommon in my experience. And yes, my father often included a handgun in our group when hunting, as a precaution or protection in case we ran across an unnaturally aggressive or diseased animal; in closer quarters, for instance if a hunting party startled an unnaturally aggressive animal, a handgun may be more easily aimed and controlled than a hunting rifle and allows for the possibility of multiple shots without reloading if needed.
no subject
I also wasn't meaning to seem combative about parent's views of what is dangerous for their children. I was simply providing another viewpoint as a non-parent who apparently was raised in quite a different setting. I again apologize if I offended you; it was not my intent.
With respect to loading the gun at the kitchen table, as I mentioned, I was raised in in household with guns and was taught proper gun safety and control; my father taught gun safety for well over 25 years and both his daughter were raised with a healthy respect for firearms.
However, in a rural household during hunting season, loading a weapon while at home before heading out to hunt was not that uncommon in my experience. And yes, my father often included a handgun in our group when hunting, as a precaution or protection in case we ran across an unnaturally aggressive or diseased animal; in closer quarters, for instance if a hunting party startled an unnaturally aggressive animal, a handgun may be more easily aimed and controlled than a hunting rifle and allows for the possibility of multiple shots without reloading if needed.