Shunning by Anti-gun Family

[mlzoiss]

So, I posted a pic of a new gun on Facebook and called it my new ''toy." Did I make some kind a faux-pas that I am not aware of as a newbie? Most people appreciated and praised my new acquisition, until I got a text from my mom, who doesn't call or visit often and apparently has no knowledge of our new hobby, and desire to protect our family. (Her husband is a vet.)

She asks if I think it's funny to call a gun a toy, why did I think it was necessary to have one, and do I know that no one wants to come over to my house anymore if they know I have a gun.

Does everyone else have to deal with family like this?

Do you warn everyone that comes over to your house? Should you tell the parents of kids coming over for a playdate, even if everything is ALWAYS locked up in a big safe?

 

[Hammer]

It's your mom, be nice.

 

[rugertoter]

Well, since mom does not call or visit hardly at all, then I would say to her what else is new...you never show up around here anyway. Don't loose sleep over it, you have people here on INGO that think like you do. Take care.

 

[jcwit]

Nope, I don't have that problem with my family, but then they don't visit anyway.

 

[hooky]

If your mom isn't calling or coming over anyway, no big deal IMO. Let her have her little hissy fit. At some point, tell her you're all growed up and you'll make your own decisions.

I don't tell anyone coming over anything about what I have. Should I be obligated to tell them I have poisonous household cleaners under the sink or herbicide in the shed? My kids know not to talk about firearms also. It's really no one else's business. Be responsible and maintain your privacy.

 

[leftsock]

Don't sweat it. We're your family now!

 

[rockhopper46038]

I kind of use it is a reason to NOT let anyone bring kids to our house. If it works well for anti-gun family, even better.

 

[remauto1187]

Try to educate it....if that dont work....remind her it is entirely her right not to come over just as it is your right to say what does and does not happen inside your home.
The "toy" association probably wasnt the wisest word to use though. Just reinforce to her that you dont consider at a toy at all.

 

[Bunnykid68]

If your mom isn't calling or coming over anyway, no big deal IMO. Let her have her little hissy fit. At some point, tell her you're all growed up and you'll make your own decisions.

I don't tell anyone coming over anything about what I have. Should I be obligated to tell them I have poisonous household cleaners under the sink or herbicide in the shed? My kids know not to talk about firearms also. It's really no one else's business. Be responsible and maintain your privacy.

Hooky, you got guns at your house? Guess I will never visit then.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Try to educate it....if that dont work....remind her it is entirely her right not to come over just as it is your right to say what does and does not happen inside your home.
The "toy" association probably wasnt the wisest word to use though. Just reinforce to her that you dont consider at a toy at all.

Yeah, but to us gun nuts it is a new toy. I say that every time I get a new toy.

 

[loudpedal]

Well... Unless you killed or injured anyone with a toy as a child, I think it's safe to say that mom is just over reacting.
Maybe she was just having a bad day.

 

[Shoots4Fun]

In my opinion, Facebook isn't the best place for it. But I hate putting personal pics and information on the web. I prefer it to be a bit more anonymous...

 

[jeremy]

So, I posted a pic of a new gun on Facebook and called it my new ''toy." Did I make some kind a faux-pas that I am not aware of as a newbie? Most people appreciated and praised my new acquisition, until I got a text from my mom, who doesn't call or visit often and apparently has no knowledge of our new hobby, and desire to protect our family. (Her husband is a vet.)

She asks if I think it's funny to call a gun a toy, why did I think it was necessary to have one, and do I know that no one wants to come over to my house anymore if they know I have a gun.

Does everyone else have to deal with family like this?

Do you warn everyone that comes over to your house? Should you tell the parents of kids coming over for a playdate, even if everything is ALWAYS locked up in a big safe?

Most everyone that knows me well enough to come over to be invited to my home has pretty solid idea of where I stand as far as Firearms Ownership, and the Constitution and its Amendments.

You did nothing wrong in my opinion, people refer to Cars, Boats, Motorhomes, Motorcycles, and all kinds of other inanimate objects as toys, so why not refer to a firearm in the same fashion...

Sounds to me your Mother is a bit childish, and immature...

That being said, I would have probably mouthed off that does it really matter that I have a Firearm(s) in my Home, you never bothered to come by prior to my acquisition(s). So STFU...

 

[hooky]

Hooky, you got guns at your house? Guess I will never visit then.

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. I'll just throw your steak in the freezer and drink the extra beer myself then.

 

[jeremy]

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. I'll just throw your steak in the freezer and drink the extra beer myself then.

Beer and Steak?!

Uhhh......

I could give a rats ass if you have firearms or not, specially for a free Beer and steak...

 

[88E30M50]

I'd offer to take her shooting and would show her how a safely handled gun is not a dangerous thing to have. Be the perfect example of safety if she goes with you and explain to her what firearm safety means. Right now, she probably has an image of you waving the thing around to show it off with your finger on the trigger. Replace that image with one of responsible gun handling.

If she refuses, you've at least tried. Maybe start working through other members of the family until gun owners have become the family norm instead of being the oddity. But, whatever you do, don't do something stupid and outside of the rules of safe gun handling. Do that and you will confirm every one of their fears.

 

[repeter1977]

most everyone knows that i refer to new weapons as toys. As someone else stated, everyone says that when they get a new motorcycle, dirt bike, car, etc, so its a ok for this too. As for the mom, well, as you said, you hardly ever talk to her, guess you can deal with the shunning, or ask if she would like to learn more about it and see what she thinks when she is knowledgeable about one

 

[churchmouse]

Wow...go to my facebook page and you will see my sister, niece, son and son in law sending rounds downrange and loving it.
Sister in law did not care much for my hobby but they never come over anyway.

 

[nova512]

I have antigun family and friends as long as they keep Thier opinions to themselves ,I don't bring guns up. But it shouldn't matter what they think.its your choice that's all that matters.

 

[mrortega]

Tell dear old mom to google up "Luby's cafeteria" and let her brain go into denial mode that something like that could ever happen to her or a loved one. I love to see antis do brain gymnastics to avoid facing reality. If she says it can't happen tell her to check out "San Ysidro McDonalds massacre."