[CaptainLuk]

Do you feel you raise your babies in a safe environment?

Should we strive to more restrictive gun laws?

[Samual]

We will never take our family to countries where people can own guns.

[mcmama]

So Sam, I guess you're not traveling across the pond anytime soom!

Its a good question. Living as I do in a part of the USA where legal gun ownership is common and something of a sacred value, I have to say that for this environment, restrictive laws really are not the issue as much as encouraging responsible, legal gun ownership. Laws that target illegal urban activity and somehow catch up the folks in the hunt clubs or those who enjoy shooting as a recreational activity are just not good laws, and not effective.

Here in FL, the question is about concealed carry. And honestly, I see this as a question for someone involved in law enforcement to answer, since they are the ones at risk from a suspect who is carrying a legal weapon. But in a rural or semi rural area, the right to bear arms is pretty important in the USA.

When my kids were younger and we were in NJ (and a far more violent environment despite the fact that concealed carry is much more regulated there) I used to check out their friends families before I would allow them to go to someone elses house to play. The questions "who is the adult who is home now" and "do you have guns in the house and if so are they properly emptied and stored" had to be answered to my satisfaction. It often rattled people that I would ask about guns, but we did have an incident in a nearby community where teens were playing with a parent's gun - and the parent was a cop who should have known better. In that situation, the possession of the weapon was not the problem, it was the stupid attitude about storing it and securing it. Most cops and military that I have known my whole life EMPTY the pistol when they arrive home, and it is secured in an area where children and teens cannot access, at least not without some trouble.

I did have words with my youngest son who would work out for high school track by running in neighborhoods that were known for drug trafficking and drive by shootings - no legal gun activity there, but dangerous nonetheless. His attitude was that he could outrun the bad guys, nobody was going to mess with him because he was obviously not carrying money. We had some strong words about not being able to outrun a bullet, and I made him change his route.

In some states, concealed carry is regulated as a "may issue" rather than a "shall issue" status as it is in FL, but the practice is just as good as "shall issue". In others, "may issue" is more restrictive.

I support NYC's right to restrict gun ownership and carrying laws. I don't think the same restrictions should apply for upstate NY.

[Samual]

Originally Posted by mcmama

So Sam, I guess you're not traveling across the pond anytime soon!

Definately not! Last time I was there we saw a man shoot dead a boy, who couldn't of been older than ten, claimed self defence, let off to walk around and murder more innocent people. My parents have a house in NewYork and are horrified at the gun crime they have witnessed when staying in their holiday home. Their house is in Rockland County, they like the area, but I think its a bit of a dive.

[KR258]

You know...I've never seen a gun in real life and I've certainly never seen anyone shot. I don't personally know anyone who was shot. I am not saying that we're safe but I sure don't feel like it's a problem where I currently live or where I grew up. We don't own a gun and we always make sure that wherever Kate will be that their homes don't have any guns either.

[mcmama]

Originally Posted by Samual

Definately not! Last time I was there we saw a man shoot dead a boy, who couldn't of been older than ten, claimed self defence, let off to walk around and murder more innocent people. My parents have a house in NewYork and are horrified at the gun crime they have witnessed when staying in their holiday home. Their house is in Rockland County, they like the area, but I think its a bit of a dive.

There's a variety in Rockland, some of it urban, some rural. And the road infrastructure can be troublesome at times. Can be beautiful, Nyack is very artsy too.

Seriously, you want a nice vacation without a lot of the crap that goes along with the NYC area, come to the gulf coast area of northern Florida/Alabama. Very family friendly, lots of nature, lots of great beach.

[KR258]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Seriously, you want a nice vacation without a lot of the crap that goes along with the NYC area, come to the gulf coast area of northern Florida/Alabama. Very family friendly, lots of nature, lots of great beach.

Agree!!!

[mcmama]

And that goes to the heart of the law question - we are probably less restrictive here on guns, but don't have the issues of some of the areas that are restrictive. For one thing, we have less people. For another, many of the folks here are hunters or military (active and retired) and so they have a working knowledge of weapons - and respect for them.

Concealed carry is an issue for law enforcement - when they arrest someone, they pretty much have to assume they are armed so they can be somewhat aggressive. But as far as safety for a family, even with fewer restrictions here in FL, I feel much safer than I did in NJ.

[Samual]

I've been to Florida before, sorry to say but I hated it. But I was amazed at the amount of morbidly obese people! I liked how everything was basically half price that was good, not so good was having policemen walking around with massive guns, terminator styley.
Mcmamma I didn't realise UK and USA's rural definition was so different, my parents house is an area considered to be extremely rural, to be its basically a normal tightly packed town. Here rural is not seeing another house in the landscape when you look out.

[KR258]

Originally Posted by Samual

I've been to Florida before, sorry to say but I hated it. But I was amazed at the amount of morbidly obese people!

You are very opinionated and judgy, huh?