CountryBoy19
Grandmaster
You would be VERY VERY SURPRISED what your child can do when you aren't watching. Don't rely on the fact that the counter is too high for her to reach, or that she can't get it out of the holster. IMHO those are only giving you a false sense of security. The answer that "Mr. Green did it" clues me in that she knew the gun had been moved, and that she certainly didn't want to catch the blame for it (whether or not she actually did it). I'm not a child psychologist so I can't really say, but that answer just sends up a red flag for me. I would be very cautious in how you keep your firearms, its best if they're kept in a place that the child doesn't even know about.Ever since the 4 year old could scoot around the house, things would get 'rearranged'. Usually items off the table would get stuffed into cubbies or low cabinets that were within reach.
It was like attempts to help cleanup without actually putting things where they go.
I am not worried about the gun being a hazard to the youngster (no loaded gun in this house is a naked gun).
The pistol is ALWAYS buried up to the handle in the IWB holster and the 4 year old cannot remove it. (not as strong as my Ruger in my Fobus, which can be a real bear at times for an adult to even get out).
Only time they get out is to clean or shoot.
I also have a trigger lock, but that is not a good idea for a home defense gun to have a trigger lock.
The real answer here is for using teachable moments like these to be used to further proper firearm awareness and use with everyone in family.
Guns are NOT bad. If I would have overreacted or flipped my lid at someone touching a gun, that would send the wrong message.
I don't want my kids thinking guns are evil no more than a pair of scissors are evil (just boundaries on how/when interaction is proper).
Or i could just move to Illinois where they know the evils of firearms and your first line of defense is to vomit on your attacker.
BTW, the rape incident with a door to door magazine salesmen was a false accusation. The girl later came forward and admitted that it was consensual and that she made the story up later because she felt guilty/bad about the act.