comment: >
  
  
  A gun in the house that can't be accessed because it's in a locked safe, in a house with kids that are raised understanding the risks of guns, is indistinguishable from a house without a gun.
  
  This is wrong, because people make mistakes and kids are fucking stupid and make worse mistakes. It's not only possible, but actually happens all the time, for those mistakes to happen contemporaneously. This is impossible if there are no guns for it to happen with.
context: /u/kneazlekitten (OP) has awarded 5 delta(s) in this post.
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  ^Delta System Explained ^| ^Deltaboards >
  
  I grew up with guns in the home, and yes, all of the dangers you listed could happen. But, if you raise your children well, the chances are very very low. 
  First, to the safe: no way is a child getting into a properly locked gun safe. Hell, most locksmiths have a hard time getting into them. Yes, they may be taken out to be cleaned, but I'm assuming your husband would be sitting there cleaning them, and then put them right back and lock them up when done. As for the try to impress friends thing, that is where the raising comes in. You make it clear to them, from a very young age that guns are not toys, and can kill you at any time. You also teach this while allowing them well supervised and age appropriate interaction time with them. Kids are curious, and you need to satisfy that curiosity in a safe manner so that it doesn't fester into something destructive. Father/child bonding time over guns can be very good for the overall relationship if it is handled properly. 
  One thing that I would suggest, that my father did, was to not allow any sort of toy guns in the house. No squirt guns, no nerf guns, no Lego guns, nothing. Not one toy that is gun shaped should be allowed. And, any type of gun play should be immediately discouraged and stopped. Important to note that this suuuuucked as a child when all your friends were playing with nerf darts, but goddamnit I KNEW not to even touch a toy gun at a very young age or I'd be in major trouble. Touching a real gun? Fuck otta here. >
  
  Hi, thanks for your input, especially as someone who grew up with guns at home. I like your point about discouraging toy guns at home - I recognize now that perhaps part of me being uncomfortable with the situation origins from playing with toy guns as a kid, and generally only seeing toy guns for most of my life, as real guns aren't something I or any of my friends/family ever got close to. So obviously the first thing my mind came to was - yeah the kids will try to find the key/number combinations to get inside the safe no matter what, coz it will be fun and something "cool". 
  But now I kinda realize how faulty this thinking is - they won't see guns like I/my friends did as kids if we raise them otherwise, explain it to them, teach them.
  So here you go !delta >
  
  There is no argument to change your view that is based on empirical data. Literally every single published study on the issue has found that guns in the home increases the risks of gun related injury/death for those living in the home. This really isn’t a parenting decision you should decided based on internet debate. There are published studies that are peer-reviewed and clear. Guns make your home less safe. Period. >
  
  I mean, that's largely because so many people who keep guns in the house don't treat them appropriately. Whenever you're doing population level statistics, you always have to include the fact that the population is filled with idiots.
  A gun in the house that can't be accessed because it's in a locked safe, in a house with kids that are raised understanding the risks of guns, is indistinguishable from a house without a gun.