As is typical for me around this time of year, I've been spending a lot of time with family around the holidays. My brother, sister-in-law, and niece will be flying this way around Christmas, and as always, I'm incredibly excited to see them. While I love my niece dearly, however, I was quite thankful she wasn't with my family and I on Thanksgiving.
When it comes to family, I consider myself very lucky. Sure, there always appears to be some unnecessary drama, not to mention a couple of individuals whom have all been alienated themselves from the rest of the family. What family isn't a little dysfunctional, though? When we're together, chances are we're talking, laughing, eating, drinking, and having a good time. While we find a way to make the diverse mix of constants work together, however, the wild cards are always the cousins' boyfriends/girlfriends, and last month, one such individual prompted me to say thanks for my niece to not be potentially placed in harm's way had she been with us.
Regardless of the cousins' new boyfriends/girlfriends we meet, we do our best to try and get along with them. While the latest such wild card came across as fairly nice and funny, I observed something later in the evening after he tried sitting in a chair and his shirt went up ever so slightly - he was armed. Sure, he has the Constitutional right to "bear arms" (assuming he's gone through all the necessary steps legally), but did he really deem it necessary to meet the family over Thanksgiving by carrying a loaded handgun? Granted, I'd like to believe that all the kids who were present would have been cognizant enough to not reach for the firearm, attempt to play with it, etc. However, what if my 3-year-old niece happened to be present? She wouldn't know any better. The only guns she's come into contact with are squirt guns (if even that). Why should my brother and sister-in-law have even felt the need to tell their 3-year-old daughter, "Okay, you just learned your ABCs, colors, and numbers. Now let's quiz you on your knowledge of guns. What kind of handgun is this?"
When my brother, sister-in-law, and niece come to town in a couple of weeks, I sincerely hope this "boyfriend" doesn't come armed. While it's perfectly fine to own a gun (well, in most cases), the risks of carrying one to a family gathering certainly outweigh the benefits when there's a young child present. The saying goes, "Curiosity killed the cat," but I've read far too many stories of that phrase ringing true when a young child comes into contact with a gun.
When it comes to family, I consider myself very lucky. Sure, there always appears to be some unnecessary drama, not to mention a couple of individuals whom have all been alienated themselves from the rest of the family. What family isn't a little dysfunctional, though? When we're together, chances are we're talking, laughing, eating, drinking, and having a good time. While we find a way to make the diverse mix of constants work together, however, the wild cards are always the cousins' boyfriends/girlfriends, and last month, one such individual prompted me to say thanks for my niece to not be potentially placed in harm's way had she been with us.
Regardless of the cousins' new boyfriends/girlfriends we meet, we do our best to try and get along with them. While the latest such wild card came across as fairly nice and funny, I observed something later in the evening after he tried sitting in a chair and his shirt went up ever so slightly - he was armed. Sure, he has the Constitutional right to "bear arms" (assuming he's gone through all the necessary steps legally), but did he really deem it necessary to meet the family over Thanksgiving by carrying a loaded handgun? Granted, I'd like to believe that all the kids who were present would have been cognizant enough to not reach for the firearm, attempt to play with it, etc. However, what if my 3-year-old niece happened to be present? She wouldn't know any better. The only guns she's come into contact with are squirt guns (if even that). Why should my brother and sister-in-law have even felt the need to tell their 3-year-old daughter, "Okay, you just learned your ABCs, colors, and numbers. Now let's quiz you on your knowledge of guns. What kind of handgun is this?"
When my brother, sister-in-law, and niece come to town in a couple of weeks, I sincerely hope this "boyfriend" doesn't come armed. While it's perfectly fine to own a gun (well, in most cases), the risks of carrying one to a family gathering certainly outweigh the benefits when there's a young child present. The saying goes, "Curiosity killed the cat," but I've read far too many stories of that phrase ringing true when a young child comes into contact with a gun.
Comments
Post a Comment