Should I talk to the neighbours?

[Hardhead]

I'm just getting into shooting. I've got an application underway for an R-PAL. Interested in target shooting, maybe IPSC or IDPA if I get good enough.

Here's the question... I have two kids, 4 and 7. The neighbours' kids, around the same age, are frequently in our house playing. We're on good terms with all the neighbours, but I have never talked to any of them about guns before, so I have no idea whether they have any opinions on the subject. Some people have nutty ideas, especially as regards some kinds of guns that people see as inherently evil.

Would it be a good idea to tell the neighbours about my plans, and reassure them that there is no reasonably foreseeable chance that their kids will ever find a gun, especially a loaded gun, lying around the place? I intend to be as responsible a gun owner as you'll ever find anywhere. Would it be reasonable to talk to the kids themselves, just in case I somehow failed to secure a gun properly (maybe I got struck by lightning while cleaning it)? I would warn them that if they do somehow happen to find a gun that looks real, then it probably is real, and they should not touch it, just tell an adult.

If I ever take my own sons shooting, and I expect I will, then there would seem to be a fairly high chance that the neighbours will hear about it anyway.

But maybe bringing it up at all is just asking for trouble.

[Haywire1]

I would just carry on and if the subject comes up adress it then. Thats all I have ever done. Sure I have offended some neighbors. But who gives a fig, I dont live by their rules.

[Jerry Champagne]

No. Store your firearms properly and it's a non issue.

[Mil Specs]

Educate your kids about guns, how to handle them and when to handle them (when you are present and supervising them). Store them properly and take the reasonable precautions (Ie. some kids are extra curious or extra sneaky ) . I would not see any reason to involve our neighbors ,it is really none of their concern if you are reasonably cautious .You could invite them to a range to join you for an afternoon shoot though.

[Haywire1]

I would just carry on and if the subject comes up adress it then. Thats all I have ever done. Sure I have offended some neighbors. But who gives a fig, I dont live by their rules.

Edit-when I say their rules I mean of course their idea of what the rules should be or what they think they are.

[blacksmithden]

For some brain washed reason, you're looking for approval from your neighbors for your hobby. If you bought a fast motorcycle, would you do the same ? If you bought a riding mower, would you seek their approval for that ? I don't need my neighbor's approval for stuff that doesn't effect them. My neighbors should be no more concerned about my guns than they are about my fishing rod. If there is ever a question about it being dangerous, ask them straight out...in a non-apologetic way, what rational reasoning they used to come to believe there was the slightest question of safety. The news ? The news sensationalizes every damned thing to the greatest possible extent, up to and including inventing complete fabrications, and calling them facts, to make their story get one more hit on the internet. Any neighbor who would blindly believe what they read on the internet or see on the news as absolute truth is a moron who isn't worth my intellectual time.

[Mil Specs]

Blacksmithden,As long as you are crimping the barbs on your hooks! I agree fishingrods are none of the neighbors beeswax! Lol

[coastal]

I agree, it's too bad you even have to think like this, and I don't mean the OP, I mean any gun owner in general.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother bringing it up unless they asked you what hobbies you are into at a cul-de-sac block party. At that point I would proudly and enthusiastically tell them how fun your new competition shooting sport is.

[Rory McCanuck]

Shouldn't most people just assume that people have firearms in the house?
Tell them you have a car in the driveway, that's considerably more dangerous.

[CaperJim]

My neighbours know I'm a PAL holder when they see me loading the car to head to the range lol. One neighbour has guns (used to see him shooting on the step on New Years), his son is next door and he's an army medic, other two neighbours are tennants so they better just keep their mouths shut! lol

[CaperJim]

Shouldn't most people just assume that people have firearms in the house?
Tell them you have a car in the driveway, that's considerably more dangerous.

I picked up 2 girls hitchhiking along the Cabot Trail two days ago. They were from Germany. Das cuten patooten. They were terrified of the shotgun in the back that was sitting there. Once they realized they were due for no harm and I explained it's legal, they got a big kick out of it. "If only mom could see me now!"

[Kane63]

Kitchen knives or drain cleaner are more of a hazard than stored firearms. It would be a wtf moment if this thread was about telling the neighbours that you have kitchen knives or use draino.

Personally, I keep my firearms in areas that are "off limits" to kids anyway (for more than just that reason).

[sallen]

I would not tell them ahead of time. I would make sure that your kids understand that they can see your guns any time they want, and you will take them out. Also let them know if their friends want to see them, you will show them. This should take away any desire for the kids to sneak around behind your back, and play with, or show their friends your guns. If they request you show them to their friends, I would run it by their parents at that time. If you treat them as taboo, the kids will want to find them.

[DOA]

Yes you should talk to your neighbours. That's what good neighbours do! About your guns? Sure, share your hobby. Invite them to join you. Not as a warning. They may bring up concerns if they're ignorant about them. Use to opportunity to educate. You will have them safely stored for your own kids safety, no need to be worried about it beyond that.

For some brain washed reason, you're looking for approval from your neighbors for your hobby. If you bought a fast motorcycle, would you do the same ? If you bought a riding mower, would you seek their approval for that ? I don't need my neighbor's approval for stuff that doesn't effect them. My neighbors should be no more concerned about my guns than they are about my fishing rod. If there is ever a question about it being dangerous, ask them straight out...in a non-apologetic way, what rational reasoning they used to come to believe there was the slightest question of safety. The news ? The news sensationalizes every damned thing to the greatest possible extent, up to and including inventing complete fabrications, and calling them facts, to make their story get one more hit on the internet. Any neighbor who would blindly believe what they read on the internet or see on the news as absolute truth is a moron who isn't worth my intellectual time.

It's interesting to me how firearms owners have been ostracized to the point that many feel the activity should be hidden. I did for years. Then I learned more about the political climate and realized I may not get to continue to enjoy my sport if things continued as is. I now talk freely about it with others and educate on how safe and enjoyable shooting is (a little more diplomatic than above). I invite anyone interested to join me on the range and encourage them all to get licensed when they have a good time.

[TheCenturion]

Came to say, 'invite them shooting. Invite their kids shooting with your kids.' Same as any other hobby.

But if you go to them treating your own hobby like it's so dangerous that you need to warn them that their kids will be exposed to the evil rays emanating off of your guns, they're going to believe you. If you treat your hobby like any other, they're more likely to, as well.

The kids can find any number of things in the kitchen, bathroom, workshop, etc etc, far more dangerous than your guns, assuming you follow the absolute basics of responsible gun storage.