Talking guns to family/friends

[jediagh]

I try the search but can't seem to find the post(s) on this topic. I recall reading one about how to talk to family/friends on the gun topic and someone making a good post something along the lines of...

Why do you have a fire alarm in the house?
Why do you wear your seat belt?
Why do you put on a hard hat when in a construction zone?
All to protect yourself same with a gun (why do you carry).

My dad had a talk with me this week regarding guns. Actually I was blind-sided by the talk. We were eating dinner (just him, me and my 18 month son) and he asked me.

DAD: Do you have many enemies?

ME: Hum.. No, none that I know of why?

DAD: I've been in many bad parts of this county (LAKE) including GARY and have never run into any trouble you know.

ME: ok????

DAD: Does carrying a gun make you feel more like a man? more stronger? like you can defend the world?

(at this point I was a bit taken back I did not see this coming.. I was OC at the time not sure if he knew or not).
ME: Dad it's not for those reason. The economy is getting worse, things are going to get worse. You never know when some crazy is going to appear out of no-where. I carry for the just in case day that I hope never comes. Plus I have to look out for Marcos (my son) as well.

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At this point the topic ended and we continued eating and he turned on the TV. I'm not sure I convinced him nor am I sure how to re approach the subject.


Mom knows I carry and I have taken her only once to the range where she got to fire various guns during an OPEN RANGE DAY (IL riffle association OPEN RANGE day in Kankakee, IL). Little sister I have taken and she has fired AR-7 and 9MM. She did not really liked it but wants to learn more and buy a gun (age 21 now) as well. There have been threats at work (she is responsible for firing and laying off people) and is beginning to understand that when the dollar finally crashed that the world is going to be a bad, bad place and wants to have some protection at least at home.

I don't live with my mom/dad/little sister. Have my own place and the wife is "ok" with the guns. She knows why we have them and we both have experienced the need to have guns around us. She does not like them but understands the reason for them.

So how to I talk to dad about this? He knows I have guns in the house and based on this last talk I don't think he likes it or understands why I need them.

Thanks