Maine - Children and "Easy Access" to guns?

[sometoyotaguy]

This has always made me wonder whether it's a scare tactic or there are some specific laws behind it.

Any gun store will have a sign saying...

"ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS."

What is generally considered easy access, and what do you guys do with little ones in the house? I don't have any kids yet, but I'm not locking everything up, so that I'm defenseless.

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-laws/maine.aspx

[87manche]

I'm pretty sure that if a kid manages to injure themselves with it, no matter how secure it was, you're going to be charged with child endangerment.

[Johann]

NC law as well. Gun stores are also required to give you a gun lock when they sell you a pistol as well.

The thing that really chafes is when a kid shoots themselves the media go on about how it is the fault of having a gun in the home. It's not. Failure to secure your gun from children is the problem. Failure to gunproof your kids with knowlege and fear of an ass beating is the problem.

[Jeepgirl1979]

easy access... i have no idea. i would be in a lot of trouble if i lived in Maine. i have a 5 year old and 7 year old, both boys. i don't leave my guns just laying around in my house. but they know where my guns are. the better know where they are.

i do not worry about my boys in the house with loaded weapons. i have one very simple rule. and i repeat it often. this is what i say,
"if you ever want to see any of my guns or ammo, just let me know. come ask me, i would LOVE to show it to you.
but.... if i EVER catch you touching a gun without my permission, i promise you will NEVER be allowed to touch a gun again while under my roof. period."
they believe me because they know i follow thru with my threats.

i have taken the mystery out of having a gun in the house. i take them to range and i do it often. i use to keep everything hidden. one day i left a box of ammo on a shelf in my closet. (no clue why) but at the time my boys was 4, he found the box and he was sitting on the floor lining each bullet up. i didn't freak out, i didn't even yell at him. i sat on the floor with him and asked him if he knew what that was... then big brother came in and was shocked.. are those bullets??? do you have a gun?? he was shocked!

thats when i decided to educated them. then bought them a bebe gun. then took them to the range. if i clean my gun, they help. they know i carry.
they have both been rocked shooting my AR and shooting a hand gun. they know the power. and they respect it.

i maintain my very simple rule. JUST ASK. i couldn't live in maine.

[wingnut2]

Originally Posted by Jeepgirl1979

easy access... i have no idea. i would be in a lot of trouble if i lived in Maine. i have a 5 year old and 7 year old, both boys. i don't leave my guns just laying around in my house. but they know where my guns are. the better know where they are.

i do not worry about my boys in the house with loaded weapons. i have one very simple rule. and i repeat it often. this is what i say,
"if you ever want to see any of my guns or ammo, just let me know. come ask me, i would LOVE to show it to you.
but.... if i EVER catch you touching a gun without my permission, i promise you will NEVER be allowed to touch a gun again while under my roof. period."
they believe me because they know i follow thru with my threats.

i have taken the mystery out of having a gun in the house. i take them to range and i do it often. i use to keep everything hidden. one day i left a box of ammo on a shelf in my closet. (no clue why) but at the time my boys was 4, he found the box and he was sitting on the floor lining each bullet up. i didn't freak out, i didn't even yell at him. i sat on the floor with him and asked him if he knew what that was... then big brother came in and was shocked.. are those bullets??? do you have a gun?? he was shocked!

thats when i decided to educated them. then bought them a bebe gun. then took them to the range. if i clean my gun, they help. they know i carry.
they have both been rocked shooting my AR and shooting a hand gun. they know the power. and they respect it.

i maintain my very simple rule. JUST ASK. i couldn't live in maine.

Trusting a 5 and 7 year old to do the right thing is.............. never mind.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by wingnut2

Trusting a 5 and 7 year old to do the right thing is.............. never mind.

i'm not sure what your point is. what is the right thing? they aren't left at home alone. they are children who are aware of a gun being in the house. i would say that is better than a 13 year old who thinks Call of Duty is real life and finds a gun in the house.
there are even gun clubs for kids 7+ years old here in OK. my boy will join, he will be getting a .22 crickett rifle for his birthday.
he is mister safety when it comes to guns. he has amazing sense when it comes to barrel direction. its like second nature to him to keep it pointed in a safe direction.

hell... there are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 , 70 , 80 year olds i would NEVER trust with a gun.

[sometoyotaguy]

Any training is better than nothing I would say. It seems that the kids that have never handled a gun, and find one are the most likely to have accidents.

I'll have to agree that there are quite a few adults that I wouldn't want handling a gun. They don't watch where the muzzle is pointed. The whole "it's not loaded" thing doesn't fly with me.

In regards to Maine, I know there are quite a few houses with most of the guns just propped in the corner of a closet or in a drawer. The only thing I can find is that it's illegal to give a gun or ammo to a kid under 16. I don't see any definitions of easy access.

[broncman]

Originally Posted by Jeepgirl1979

easy access... i have no idea. i would be in a lot of trouble if i lived in Maine. i have a 5 year old and 7 year old, both boys. i don't leave my guns just laying around in my house. but they know where my guns are. the better know where they are.

i do not worry about my boys in the house with loaded weapons. i have one very simple rule. and i repeat it often. this is what i say,
"if you ever want to see any of my guns or ammo, just let me know. come ask me, i would LOVE to show it to you.
but.... if i EVER catch you touching a gun without my permission, i promise you will NEVER be allowed to touch a gun again while under my roof. period."
they believe me because they know i follow thru with my threats.

i have taken the mystery out of having a gun in the house. i take them to range and i do it often. i use to keep everything hidden. one day i left a box of ammo on a shelf in my closet. (no clue why) but at the time my boys was 4, he found the box and he was sitting on the floor lining each bullet up. i didn't freak out, i didn't even yell at him. i sat on the floor with him and asked him if he knew what that was... then big brother came in and was shocked.. are those bullets??? do you have a gun?? he was shocked!

thats when i decided to educated them. then bought them a bebe gun. then took them to the range. if i clean my gun, they help. they know i carry.
they have both been rocked shooting my AR and shooting a hand gun. they know the power. and they respect it.

i maintain my very simple rule. JUST ASK. i couldn't live in maine.

No offense, but I will say a prayer for your kids tonight.

Now this might be offensive....YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DILLUSIONAL!

You mean you have 2 kids that NEVER disobey and ALLWAYS do what you say? You just said that they know you follow through?? How the hell did they find that out unless they from time to time do something they are not supposed to!

The life of your kids is more important than your believe that they will never again have to be told twice, from now on ALLWAYS DO WHAT THEY ARE told...

If so PLEASE release your secret! MILLIONS AND MILLIONS could benefit from your new found cure for 5 year old kids.....being wellllll 5 YEARS OLD


Ok rant off, the one time your 5 year old gets the notion as they sometimes will and it is just plain not worth the life of your kid....


Yea, yea yea. You think your the first to raise kids in a house of guns? Please do not be ignorant enough to believe it can't happen to you and your family.


PS...I have raised 3 boys in a heavy gun culture house. The youngest was shooting at the 600 yard line at 10 with 223. Kent Reeves was his hero for awhile and got to shoot with him at Butner... I can tell you some stories of him trying to break into my gun locker at 4...You just can't beat a 4 year old enough to take away him being 4 years old.

or enough so he will NEVER step out of line again

[wingnut2]

Originally Posted by Jeepgirl1979

i have a 5 year old and 7 year old, both boys.

i do not worry about my boys in the house with loaded weapons.

.

[JM93LiftedYJ]

I think exposure to firearms is fine for children. Allow them to understand that these things kill and the power they posses. Take them to the range with a 22 or something. Though, leaving open access to my guns and ammo is something I'd avoid. All my stuff is under lock and key at my house and I live alone.

[87manche]

If I had children to worry about I would store my stuff in a safe, or at the very least with the actions locked with cable locks.

As I have no children and very rarely have visitors at the house eveything is loaded.

If childrens are coming over I will go and unload them and stash the mags in a locked closet.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by broncman

No offense, but I will say a prayer for your kids tonight.

Now this might be offensive....YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DILLUSIONAL!

You mean you have 2 kids that NEVER disobey and ALLWAYS do what you say? You just said that they know you follow through?? How the hell did they find that out unless they from time to time do something they are not supposed to!

The life of your kids is more important than your believe that they will never again have to be told twice, from now on ALLWAYS DO WHAT THEY ARE told...

If so PLEASE release your secret! MILLIONS AND MILLIONS could benefit from your new found cure for 5 year old kids.....being wellllll 5 YEARS OLD


Ok rant off, the one time your 5 year old gets the notion as they sometimes will and it is just plain not worth the life of your kid....


Yea, yea yea. You think your the first to raise kids in a house of guns? Please do not be ignorant enough to believe it can't happen to you and your family.


PS...I have raised 3 boys in a heavy gun culture house. The youngest was shooting at the 600 yard line at 10 with 223. Kent Reeves was his hero for awhile and got to shoot with him at Butner... I can tell you some stories of him trying to break into my gun locker at 4...You just can't beat a 4 year old enough to take away him being 4 years old.

or enough so he will NEVER step out of line again

at what point did i say i felt i was the first to raise kids in a house of guns?
no where.

you seem to think i have an arsenal of loaded weapons lining the walls of my house. i have 3. an AR, never loaded, my CZ (reserve judgment) which is not loaded and put away but i can access it and get it loaded fast. and the one gun i do have loaded and my CC piece. its a ruger .380. he couldn't pull the trigger IF he wanted to. either of them. the draw on that trigger is hard for ME to pull!
but i dont rely on THAT as my safety. if its not on me, it is definitely where i get to it.

THEY ARE EDUCATED IN THE FACT THAT GUNS ARE DANGEROUS. AND THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT UNLESS THEY ASK.

i'm sorry you didn't have control of your 4 year old. i really am. but thats on you.

my 5 year knows the power of the gun. the mystery has been taken out. like i said, i take them to the range and i do it often.
there is no secret there is no cure. its called, being a parent. knowing your child and what they can and cant handle.

like i said there are adults who cant be trusted with a gun.

if educating my kids on guns makes me delusional... then so be it.
i am a mom home alone with 2 boys. you are damn straight i have a loaded gun ready to go. do you think an intruder is going to wait for me to get it out my safe, get the mag and load it.

no.

thank you for the prayer. but reserve it for judgmental self.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by broncman

How the hell did they find that out unless they from time to time do something they are not supposed to!

If so PLEASE release your secret! MILLIONS AND MILLIONS could benefit from your new found cure for 5 year old kids.....being wellllll 5 YEARS OLD

You just can't beat a 4 year old enough to take away him being 4 years old.
or enough so he will NEVER step out of line again

you know.... i meet parents like you all the time.

"oh, he's just a kid. cant be taught _____ because he's a kid. cant be controlled because he's a kid"

"that kid cant be trusted, because... oh, he's 5, 6, 7, 10, 15"

you know what that sounds like? an excuse for being a lousy parent who cant enforce consequences.

if you want to handicap your kid and underestimate ability based on age, that's your business.

[broncman]

You people totally missed the point or have not raised kids...
If anyone really thinks they " control " their kids, they are foolish. You raise them through a multitude of teaching moments...

If you control your kids like you let on, then go set them down, lay it all out for them and then relax till they have kids themselves...foolish I know.

Thats the point, they will have to be told more than once at times, even disciplined for it.
For that reason, it is just to great of a risk to have guns that kids can get to.

Has nothing to do about "demystifying" guns. It is simple...they are kids ...you are the adult.

Just to great of a risk to test your parenting skills by seeing if junior listens and does not stray.

Jeepchick, it is not about saying kids cant be taught..it is about my responsibility to keep them safe untill they are taught and then till they can be trusted.

It is not about being judgemental either. You are very lucky he just had the bullets. I just decided early on that those were not the teaching moments I wanted to find myself in.

I also don't blame you for keeping a loaded gun...but there are fast access pistol safes!

[broncman]

http://www.safetysafeguards.com/site...uct/GV1000CDLX

109 bucks on sale, spring loaded door, you can keep it anywhere fast and easy to reach.

[Pat]

Yep, Take the Mystery Away about guns and the kid is not going to seek it out nearly as much, If he or she is taught how to safely handle firearms then you also take away a huge portion of the danger if he/or she does get it in their hands.. If you own guns you owe it to yourself, famly and everyone you know to teach your kids at a early age how to operate SAFELY all your guns, teach them they are a good tool, A lot of fun, and teach them the history of our nation and how it relates to guns.. Our Nation was founded with guns and there were no trigger locks or gun safes in peoples home in 1776.. Our nation needs to get back the notion that guns are a good thing like days past and the people are the problem

I am not saying leave your guns on the kitchen counter with one in the chamber but what the hell good is a gun if you have to spend 10 minutes getting all your crap together in a time of need where seconds count? I have Kids and My guns are in the safe 95% time just because kids will be kids.. But I can tell you right now that my kids if handling a firearm with be doing it safely.

[04 rocko taco]

This past year in TN, we had a couple get charged with negligent manslaughter because they had a loaded gun secured in the home, and a child managed to get ahold of it and shoot thier brother. the parents were charged with the crime for not keeping gun and ammo seperate. I cannot cite any specific laws. Sorry.

[Rat~Man]

Originally Posted by Pat

Yep, Take the Mystery Away about guns and the kid is not going to seek it out nearly as much, If he or she is taught how to safely handle firearms then you also take away a huge portion of the danger if he/or she does get it in their hands.. If you own guns you owe it to yourself, famly and everyone you know to teach your kids at a early age how to operate SAFELY all your guns, teach them they are a good tool, A lot of fun, and teach them the history of our nation and how it relates to guns.. Our Nation was founded with guns and there were no trigger locks or gun safes in peoples home in 1776.. Our nation needs to get back the notion that guns are a good thing like days past and the people are the problem

I am not saying leave your guns on the kitchen counter with one in the chamber but what the hell good is a gun if you have to spend 10 minutes getting all your crap together in a time of need where seconds count? I have Kids and My guns are in the safe 95% time just because kids will be kids.. But I can tell you right now that my kids if handling a firearm with be doing it safely.

Bingo. My daughter showed a interest in one of my guns. I took her, the gun, a gallon jug of water and we went into the backyard. I shot the jug.

Once she stopped crying after getting the shit scared out of her she never would touch one of my guns without permission.

she now knows how to field strip and clean a 1911, AR, AK, SKS and 439. She shoots them well and understands the basics of firearm safety.

It all started with a 357 and a jug of water. That took the mystery out instantly.

[Red Dwarf]

Jeepgirl -

Read through this thread -

/forum/outdoor-sports-recreation/985349-starting-them-young.html

You're doing okay. Teaching kids about guns and gun safety is fine. Leaving guns on the coffee table while you run to the 7-11 (or the bathroom) is not fine. Some people don't get the distinction between the two. We also need to remember that every kid is different. I have an 8-year old grandson who is pretty safe and responsible (with supervision) while my 23-year old son is one of those who will not ever handle any of my guns. My other five kids are no problem but not him.

BTW, that is not a unique thread. There are a lot more of them on here.

[matty_fly]

Originally Posted by 04 rocko taco

This past year in TN, we had a couple get charged with negligent manslaughter because they had a loaded gun secured in the home, and a child managed to get ahold of it and shoot thier brother. the parents were charged with the crime for not keeping gun and ammo seperate. I cannot cite any specific laws. Sorry.

Doesn't sound like it was secured.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by broncman

You people totally missed the point or have not raised kids...
If anyone really thinks they " control " their kids, they are foolish. You raise them through a multitude of teaching moments...

If you control your kids like you let on, then go set them down, lay it all out for them and then relax till they have kids themselves...foolish I know.

Thats the point, they will have to be told more than once at times, even disciplined for it.
For that reason, it is just to great of a risk to have guns that kids can get to.

Has nothing to do about "demystifying" guns. It is simple...they are kids ...you are the adult.

Just to great of a risk to test your parenting skills by seeing if junior listens and does not stray.

Jeepchick, it is not about saying kids cant be taught..it is about my responsibility to keep them safe untill they are taught and then till they can be trusted.

when is that? is there a set age? NO. you know your kid, and you know what they can and cant handle. i have a friend who would leave her 10 year old at home alone faster than she would her 14 year old. and she would trust her 10 year at the range more than her 14year old. its about knowing their personality.

It is not about being judgemental either. You are very lucky he just had the bullets. I just decided early on that those were not the teaching moments I wanted to find myself in.

no shit. but that is exactly why i decided to educate them. i went to many, many people when it came to learning how to live in a house with kids and guns. i went to several police offers, my conceal carry instructor, and friends who hunt with their kids and also knew my boys. and every single one of them said. take the mystery out. take them to the range. have them help you clean your gun. TEACH, TEACH, TEACH. those people know me and know how i raise my boys.

I also don't blame you for keeping a loaded gun...but there are fast access pistol safes!

do you remember what i originally said? "they believe me because they know i follow thru with my threats."
that does not come from a one time lecture. it comes from enforcing cause and effect, action has reaction, if you do this.. that will happen.
its not hard.

i get tested by my little men all the time. they need constant reminding for the simplest things. but they know, when i mean business. i have yet to deal with direct defiance. and i'm not talking about picking on little brother or skipping brushing his teeth. i am talking about non-negotiable things: put your seat belt on, DONT TOUCH MY GUN WITHOUT PERMISSION ect...

i get creative and follow thru with my discipline and its not the same for each situation. this starts very, VERY young. at about 3-4 years old, i started giving choices, to empower. "do you want to go to bed now, or in 15 min?" no power struggle. they make a choice and i'm happy either way.

when they get choices they learn. if they want to throw a fit and dont want to make a choice i make it for them. if they still want to make the situation a pain in the ass thats when i get creative.

i have a great example. when my boys were 3 and 5. i asked them to clean up their toys. asked them twice. they refused. i said pick it up or it goes in the trash. they both started whining. without a word, i started picking up toys and took them outside to the trash can. made a few trips and they both were crying hysterically following me. to this day i dont know what i threw out. but guess what my little 3 year old learned. if i have to say it more that once.. I DONT PLAY. hell a couple of weeks ago they tried to get cute. all i did was pull out a trash bag and they sprung into action cleaning up.

when we are at the range they have to ask before picking up a gun. i am like a hawk then. like i said before, my oldest boy could be a range officer. but i dont have complete confidence in that. i'm still on him. and guess what little brother sees? big brother being safe, asking questions and mom helps. they love it there. at the range, i'm still a hard on them but its fun. they have fun. the best time i've had with my boys is at the range. cause i dont like throwing a football, i dont like video games. at the range, its family time. and its something we all love.
i kicked my youngest out of the range once because he wouldnt sit still while i was helping big brother. with the way he cried, it was like i put his toys in the trash. and guess what he learned? if you dont act right in the range, i will kick you out. hasn't happened again.

i have to be a hard ass now. because when those boys become teenagers... they HAVE to take me seriously. this 'jeepchick' has to raise good men. maybe i got lucky with some good boys. i'm sure if i have another one he will be an extremely hard headed stubborn thing. but i will deal with that, then. but for know. my boys are cool.

and a side note... i've tried several different spring loaded safes. combinations, finger print recognition, i have yet to find one that i like.

[Jebadiah04]

generally I shed my carry as soon as I hit the door, a full frame m&p starts to wear on me after 12 hours of carrying, so I lay it on the kitchen table when I come in. I find having loaded guns in the house, and visible is a nice way of keeping my friends with kids away. I have a couple friends with super obnoxious kids, I dont leave my guns out around the kids, but when my friends come over I make sure there is at the least, my carry, visible. just to make sure they know I Have loaded weapons in the house and on me. My old lady also had a friend who I dislike very much, but shes super afraid of guns, to the point where she refuses to be in the same room as one. My system works well for her too.


You don't have to have them laying on your tables, but I usually will set mine up on my entertainment center, out if the way, but still in sight, if company is coming over.

But like I say, they go in the safe when any kids are near. My old lady will pull her carry out of her purse and safe it too if we have children over. Just to be safe.

In my oppinion, a kid only has to misbehave once, or just get curious, or want to show his buddy dads gun, just one time and it could change your life.

I have a friend who's in his 40s now, and mentally hadicapped, because his father, an leo had a gun and ammo in a closet, top shelf, where the kid couldnt reach...


Its not very hard to lock your guns up, even with a trigger lock if its all you have. But its pretty hard to replace a life.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by Red Dwarf

Jeepgirl -

Read through this thread -

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=985349

You're doing okay. Teaching kids about guns and gun safety is fine. Leaving guns on the coffee table while you run to the 7-11 (or the bathroom) is not fine. Some people don't get the distinction between the two. We also need to remember that every kid is different. I have an 8-year old grandson who is pretty safe and responsible (with supervision) while my 23-year old son is one of those who will not ever handle any of my guns. My other five kids are no problem but not him.

BTW, that is not a unique thread. There are a lot more of them on here.

i figured it wasnt... thanks for the link. and i dont leave it laying just anywhere. like i said. i have one loaded gun and if its not on me. i know exactly where it is. and its not where little hands will accidentally come across it.

my basic simple point is that my boys are educated enough that if they were to ever come across a gun, whether it be at home or any place else, they dont touch it, and get an adult.
my oldest has been learning how to clear a gun. sometimes the slide is too stiff for his little hands but he is learning.

[Jeepgirl1979]

Originally Posted by Jebadiah04

In my oppinion, a kid only has to misbehave once, or just get curious, or want to show his buddy dads gun, just one time and it could change your life.

so what do you do? when's a good age? ADULTS have accidents all the time, as do professionals.

do you keep guns away and say.. bad! scary! aaahhh!!!

kids get killed in car accidents, crossing the street to school, hell kids get killed by their own parents. by one time situations.

BUT if a kid demonstrates enough capability to handle a gun or just general interest, wouldn't you want to you want embrace that? or say, NO! you're not old enough!
or do you start teaching basics?

[Jebadiah04]

Not my kids, thats up to the parents to decide. You can't generalize. To say all kids can handle guns at 10, 11, 12, is to say that we live in a perfect world where everyone is equal. Which is at most a fantasy. I think every kid could get a chance at handling firearms, but when is up to the parents, and parents should take it serious enough to make the right choice. I think kids should definately be encouraged to use guns and to use them righr, but its stupid, irrespobsible, and down right assenine to leave free access to firearms for young kids.
Where I grew up kids couldnt hunt until 12, I think most kids should be able to handle it by then, but some arent, hell I have a friend who every time he sees a gun he grabs it and waves it around without even checking the chamber or the safety, and hes over 30.

Guns are like pirate, some people cant handle it, but some can.