Fear & Loading: Teach them Young

by
posted on October 31, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg (1)

There are good reasons my children and grandchildren were taught firearm handling and safety at a young age. To date (knock on wood) I haven’t had a problem and the way they handle any gun makes me proud.

More than likely you’ve also dispelled the mystique with family members and their close—often too curious—friends. Choir members know the advantages, so I’ll suspend preaching long enough to share an example for those who don’t believe .

A home invader last week in Idaho opened fire without warning on the father and son who discovered him in the house. He shot six times, thankfully without connecting.

Sometime during the one-sided gunfight the son retrieved a shotgun, loaded and neutralized the threat. The criminal is in the hospital with stomach wounds.

“He really stepped up and saved us,” the father said. The video makes it obvious the “hero” was hoping the sight of a shotgun would stop the assault. Instead it resulted in three more incoming rounds, leaving no other choice than to pull the trigger. 

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.