DS's friend decided to show off his riffle today....without permission.

**Neeley** · 07-18-2007, 11:37 PM

DS and DD went to spend the afternoon and evening with one of DS's friends - we will call him G. DS is always going over there, these two guys are great friends. They have been in school together since kindergarten, play on the same travel football team, same baseball league.....you get the picture. We know the whole family very well.

Well, the mom took all three kids out for pizza then to the gaming center. After that she brought Ali home and John was going to spend the night with G. Ali comes home and tells me G pulled out his hunting riffle today and was showing it off. He was not suppose to touch his riffle without his parent's permission and supervision - neither of which he had. I got so upset, but kept my composer. G's dad would be so upet if he knew what happened. I called over there and just told DS I needed to pick him up and to be ready. When I get there G comes out and asked was everything ok and I told him my granddaddy had surgery and was not doing as well as expected and we needed to head out early in the morning to see him. (It was not a total lie - everything was true except the going to see my grandaddy part.) I did not want to tell G the truth right then, I want to talk to his parent later.

Once we got DS in the truck I told him why I had actually picked him up and he get so mad at me. He is slamming doors, cabinets, dropping spoons loudly in the sink etc... A real pre-teen fit. I talked to him a few minutes ago and told him I understood he was upset but I was not going to put up with this fit. I explained I would much rather have him here, upset with me, and alive rather than dead of an accidental gunshot. Accidents happen all of the time. Just last week a 13 year old was killed 5 miles from my house when his friend, who was holding a gun, tripped, dropped the gun and it went off. G's dad would have shown Ali and John the gun if G had just asked him to. He should not have gotten it out behind his parents' back. DS seems to understand why I made him come home. I don't think he sees how dangerous that could have been though.

I just cannot let him hang out over there if G is going to be pulling out his riffle. I should call his parents and tell them what happened. DS said he doesn't care if I talk to G's parents. He wants G to keep the riffle put away so that they can hang out together. I have the kind of relationship with G's parents that I can tell them my concerns and they will listen and we can talk about it. I think until I am able to talk to them I will just start letting G come over here more often.

Sorry this one is so long and that I keep rambling. I am really shook up over what could have happened.

**jlaporte** · 07-19-2007, 12:12 AM

don't be you have every right to be shook up. i would be too! you did the right thing. infact u handled it better than me. i don't know what i would do if my sons were i n the same room with a kid and a gun. you need to talk to his parents for saftey sake. yeah the kids will be a little p'd but too bad.good luck

**fernykins** · 07-19-2007, 12:22 AM

I would have done the same......... My kids are to important to me to stand for something like that to happen.......... Better safe then sorry

**Buckeye5** · 07-19-2007, 12:35 AM

Gosh, you definitely have done the right thing. I can only imagine what you must of felt when you heard about the gun. I would definitely talk to his parents though, and like you said you want him and his friend to be safe.

**annymoll** · 07-19-2007, 07:11 AM

How was this child able to get a gun?Where were the parents?I feel those parents were irresponsible.I feel the young man was dishonest and being sneaky.I would have picked up my child also, and I would have told them both why.Let G stew on it a bit before you tell his parents.

**Darlene** · 07-19-2007, 07:59 AM

I'm guessing that after you talk to the parents some changes will be made. They sound like good people who thought their son would resist the temptation of doing what he did. This is a wake up call and learning lesson for all involved.

This story can have a happy ending, I'm glad for all of you.

**baxjul** · 07-19-2007, 08:04 AM

I agree with Darlene! I would have been upset also!

**bumplett** · 07-19-2007, 08:10 AM

very well said Darlene!

I would be very interested to see how G's parent's handle things after you talk to them. I'm sure they will understand your concern - and be concerned as well - but it only goes to prove one point... regardless of how many times we drill it into their heads - kids will be kids & they do NOT have the restraint of an adult.

:::hugs::: <~ thought you may need one

**Cricket1** · 07-19-2007, 08:13 AM

Good for you! Let us know how the talk goes.

**autumnlynn** · 07-19-2007, 09:05 AM

I would definitely talk to the parents. I don't know if I would be comfortable letting my child go back there; knowing that the gun is in the house. I may be over-protective, but guns really freak me out.

**YankeeMom** · 07-19-2007, 09:19 AM

For what it's worth, I would have done the same thing.
I hope the parents listen and take care of the situation so that G & John can still hang out together.

**lullaby80** · 07-19-2007, 09:28 AM

I would be upset too, please talk to his parents before something does happen. You did the right thing and picked up your son asap.

I'm sorry but it is so irresponsible to give access to a gun for a preteen/teenager (whichever he is). Why, oh WHY do people keep guns in their homes if there are children around. I don't care how they're unloaded/locked up, it's just plain and simple stupid! Tsk tsk.

**Mom23boys** · 07-19-2007, 09:50 AM

I would have been worried too. My cousin's only child was "accidentally" shot and killed with his friend's rifle. They had come home from school and the friend was showing my cousin the rifle when it accidentally went off and shot him in the face. It killed him instantly. After that incident, I became more aware of the dangers of guns.

I hope that you are able to talk to G's parents and come to an acceptable resolution.....like keeping the gun put up while your children are there.

**freedeal** · 07-19-2007, 10:28 AM

Two days ago a 12 yo was showing his gun to a friend and the friend was accidently shot. He is still in the hospital. Thankfully he will be fine. Kids just don't understand the dangers.

**cab54** · 07-19-2007, 12:30 PM

My dh and ds's are hunters. There are guns in our house---locked up and unloaded, always. If one of our sons got a gun out (somehow) with friends here, I'd want to know. You never know whether certain families unoload guns upon entering the house or leave them loaded. THAT is the major question here. You could just voice your concern about it and that should get them to at least talk to him. Make sure by asking your son.