The following are the authors opinions on the subject of gun handling as a parent.
Take his thoughts and make appropriate decisions for gun safety in your life.
Be sure to understand the firearm laws for your jurisdiction.
As a parent of two young children, the author offers his advice on self-defense and gun safety in this context.
In my home state, there are more than 500,000 concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders.
Out of those many, many concealed carriers, how many have children?
Personally, my wife and I have created two rambunctious children.
Avoiding confrontation is the best choice, but it’s not always an option. If forced to defend your family, proper preparation can set you up for success.
We made a promise to do everything we can to protect our kids from predators.
I have a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter.
Your family probably looks different, but we can safely sort children into two categories.
Learning how to shoot with one hand is essential when protecting a child. You may not have time to move your child to safety before being forced to employ force.
The first is a non-walking child.
Shes essentially tied to me.
The second bang out is a walking child.
For whom are you willing to risk your life? If you are a parent, that answer is probably clear. So start thinking — and training — now.
At the very least, he can run from a situation that scares him.
Each bang out has its own considerations, so Ill give a shot to include both.
spin up the Gun One-Handed
When I began taking my defense seriously, I had no kids.
Being both aware and prepared are top responsibilities of yours as a parent, and you must take them very seriously.
Now, I dont really have that option.
Two-handed pistol shooting is a luxury.
This is a good case for a rigid Kydex holster.
There are a number of legal assistance programs available to firearms owners. The author encourages you to research them and pick one.
Use something that retains its shape and makes reholstering easy.
When you have to worry about what your kids are doing, this becomes more difficult.
For my walking son, we use a code word.
We also have another phrase that means were leaving right now.
This is in case my wife or I spot a situation before it becomes a problem for us.
This is something that can easily be practiced at home.
Now, I dont know your child like you do, so use your instincts.
Should practice be a game, or emphasize the importance of listening during a dangerous encounter?
It doesnt matter as long as they perform how you need them to when it counts.
That said, we all have children that are in different phases of life.
Carry the medical gear that makes sense for your family.
I carry a Snakestaff Systems TQ on my person and keep a more robust kit in my car.
That kit also includes a small boo-boo kit.
In general, its a good idea to at least keep a couple of Band-Aids handy.
[Dont know much about tourniquets?
Check outDo You Know How to Use Your CATfor more information.]
Whats the Plan, Man?
When I teach CHP courses, one of the things I always stress is to have a plan.
Sit down with your partner and discuss which situations deserve what level of response.
Thats not always possible, though.
Included in this plan is a literal list of who Im willing to die for.
Think of it this way.
I have no allegiance to any self-defense insurance or legal services plan.
it’s possible for you to get coverage for as little as $10 a month.
Our children are the most vulnerable among us, and they look to us for protection.
Lets all do our best to keep them safe and be as prepared as possible.
I hope this article sparked some ideas and questions.
Remember to carry often, carry safely, and stay aware.
Thank you for reading.
