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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to tell DH that he can't keep his shotgun in the babys bedroom?

102 replies

entropy · 29/07/2007 23:33

The gun would be in a locked cabinet in a built in cupboard and dd isn't even a year old so there is no way she could get to it, but, keeping a shotgun in a child's bedroom seems fundamentally wrong to me and I have laid down the law. AIBU?

OP posts:
KerryMumbledore · 29/07/2007 23:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 29/07/2007 23:34

no you are not

why does he need a gun?

HonoriaGlossop · 29/07/2007 23:36

FGS. Why would he even think of it?

He should be getting rid of it now he has a family IMO. Accidents have, and do, happen with guns in houses.

Original poster
entropy · 29/07/2007 23:37

he doesn't NEED a gun! its a hobby. he likes to kill plates

OP posts:
IsabelWatchingItRainInMacondo · 29/07/2007 23:37

Not unreasonable at all, I would be demanding for the gun to be stored away from the house.

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 29/07/2007 23:39

like clay pigeon shooting? cant he keep it elsewhere like where the hobby takes place?

its a big risk having a gun in the house

RosaLuxembourg · 29/07/2007 23:40

My Dad used to keep his .22 rifle in the coat cupboard in the hall. Not usually loaded though.
YANBU at all - babies and guns don't mix.

Original poster
entropy · 29/07/2007 23:41

well its locked in the loft so I think we can rule out accidents for a few years. but it does worry me I have to admit

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 29/07/2007 23:42

Have you got a loft that he can store it in? I'm suprised the fire arms department are allowing it to be stored there tbh.

MaureenMLove · 29/07/2007 23:43

Sorry x posts!

Nightynight · 29/07/2007 23:49

my father had a shotgun when we were small, I dont remember ever seeing where it was stored!

Agree, it is deeply wrong to store a gun in a babys room.

Original poster
entropy · 29/07/2007 23:50

thats OK. It's never been stored in dd's room btw. I went mental when he suggested it
he has accepted that it is staying in the loft but I can't justify what threat an unloaded gun in a locked cupboard in a locked cupboard is to a baby who can't even climb out of her cot yet....

OP posts:
Nightynight · 29/07/2007 23:56

Neither can I. Its just the thought of it!! I mean, why not park some gardening tools and spare parts for the car in there too?

newlifenewname · 29/07/2007 23:59

He should get shot of it - ha ha ho ho

seriously though guns in houses with children? No no nooooooo!

Guns are bad horrid things anyway.

Original poster
entropy · 30/07/2007 00:02

TBH I've put the left over paint in there while we have a break from decorating. That could do a lot more harm if she did learn to! climb and open cupboards with high catches.... maybe I should move it soon!

and LOL at spare parts for the car we will have that talk too in the future I'm sure. he thought I was unreasonable as I didn't want a starter motor living in the sink at one point!

OP posts:
ladylush · 30/07/2007 00:18

I hate the idea of guns being kept in houses full stop. One also has to consider that even though your baby can't get into that cupboard another child might be able to. I personally would also be plagued by irrational thoughts of burglars breaking in and getting hold of the gun.

alicet · 30/07/2007 07:48

An unloaded gun in a locked cupboard in a locked cupboard is unlikely to be a danger to anyone as long as he is sensible to the point of paranoid about where the keys live.

But have to say agree with other posters that and yourself that it feels totally wrong for this to be in the baby's room!

The loft should be fine though

Leati · 30/07/2007 08:06

entropy,

You were one hundred percent right to get upset. I can't even believe he suggested it. As one reader already pointed out while you dd may not be old enough another child could be.

But to be honest, from my perspective it is about more than that. It is about having DD comfortable with the idea of having a gun around. It is one thing to have a gun locked in a gun case (with trigger lock preferrably) out of sight and out of mind. It is another thing for her to grow up with it right next to her bed, curious about the thing in the box.

One last note, a person far more likely to be injured by a gun kept for protection then an intruder. Sense your husband is attached to his gun (mine is also) I would suggest a gun saftey course for all the adults in the home.

popsycal · 30/07/2007 08:08

HE is totally unreasonable
crikey

Walnutshell · 30/07/2007 08:19

I thought all firearms were banned now anyway? No?

americantrish · 30/07/2007 08:23

well given that i have a strong hate for guns, i would say having a weapon in the house with a child isnt a good idea..

chopster · 30/07/2007 08:26

Since there is absolutely no real risk, you can see that there is no real reason to be bothered by it, but I wouldn't like it neither. Tell him it's the baby's room, and you want it for baby's things only!

elasticsortinghandstand · 30/07/2007 08:28

what is the ruling on guns?
i know they shoudl be in a locked cupboard but probably not near to under 16's? let alone in the bedroom

ScottishMummy · 30/07/2007 08:28

i thought that shotguns had to be kept in a lockable cupboard of certain dimensions with a sturdy lock , and the police notified that u had a gun and a licence and legitimate need for a firearm at home

firearms and children- certainly not in close proximity..i still shudder when i recall the dubnbalane atrocities

edam · 30/07/2007 08:31

NO, no, no. Just not on. Guns are not playthings and shouldn't be in a nursery! Even if it is unloaded in a locked cupboard it is still just wrong.

Good point about keeping it safe from visiting children - I forget what the stats are but in the US children are regularly killed by discovering loaded guns in the home or their friends' homes.

Wonder where my BIL keeps his? He likes to go out rabbitting but have never asked where he stores them. Deffo not in baby's room though.