Thanks very much for your comments Tom, they are much appreciated, although I didn't receive earlier remarks from Bill and BAT340 in a personal way at all. Actually, I know exactly what they mean, and my reaction is frustration more than anything else.
How to pass along an interest and respect for firearms to my children? I went through the process of getting a permit (takes 3 years before you can own, shoot and transport a maximum of 5 firearms up to .45 cal) and now have taken both children to the range and have shown them the ropes. My daughter is interested, and my son also, to some extent. On the other hand, I am one of 4 children- all of us were taught gun handling and safety from a very young age. Two of us have retained an interest, while the other two have no interest at all. Hmmm.
The question of national disarmament of course has occurred to me as well. Bill_in_Va, your point is well taken. People here (except for the small hunting/shooting and collecting communities) have, IMO, an irrational fear of weapons. Interesting that Switzerland has never been invaded and has a firearms culture which is not unlike that of the US. Also interesting is that Switzerland has a very low gun related crime rate.....
Here's a link with more information:
https://www.businessinsider.nl/switz...onal=true&r=US
One big problem seems to be the lack of proper training in the US; I myself certainly support the 2nd Amendment, but I also feel strongly that there should be more stringent storage regulations in the US, as well as a requirement for a proper background check, and documented completion of a carefully designed gun safety course which includes gun handling instructions.
When I tell people that shooting and firearms collection are two big hobbies of mine (I don't do this often at all, only with people I know VERY well) even then I have sometimes seen a reaction of "that's strange" or one of fear. I explain to them that I was very well trained as a child, and that, when one follows simple and clear protocol, and stores weapons PROPERLY (two locked safes secured to a wall, one for unloaded firearms and one for ammo and magazines) the risk of negligent discharge is minimal. Same as the preflight and landing protocols followed by commercial pilots. I support the point with stories from when I was a firearms instructor. Then the fear dissipates, and is replaced by a new appreciation.
But, as Bill_in_Va said, Now I'm preaching to the choir
