How do you get parents to carry?

[Southpaw Ben]

I am not the usual guy trying to get his elderly parents (no offense to the older people on the forums intended) to carry. I am a 14 year old kid who is trying to get his parents to carry. My dad says that he doesn't need a concealed carry weapon, since he doesn't live "a type of lifestyle that I would need a gun" to kinda quote him. I am not some kid who loves guns due to COD (call of duty) or similar video games. One of the main reasons I want to get him to get the permit is because of listening to podcasts from the GRRN. Any help would be great.

Southpaw Ben

[Uninformed Opinion]

Well, in a nut shell, if they are opposed to guns, Then your pretty much out of luck.

One thing to mull over. Freedom to carry includes the freedom not to.

At the end of the day, it's their choice. Best you can do is keep learning, keep your nose clean, and when you are old enough, start carrying yourself. One of the main reasons the pro gun crowd hates the anti gunners in their insistence on pushing their view on our lives. Don't be they guy that adopts their doctrine.

[Southpaw Ben]

Oops! I guess I forgot to mention that we own guns, and go hunting, so that is to say, they aren't opposed to guns.

[Jon Payne]

Tell your father about your concerns.  I understand what he meant when he said he doesn't live the kind of life style where he would need a gun.  Ask him sincerely if any of the victims of the IHOP shooting in Carson City NV lived life styles where they needed a gun?  Mention the victims from the Jefferson County TX Courthouse, did they think it was just another day?  You sound bright enough to pose your own questions, but be sincere about it.  Your asking your parents to take responsibility for keeping your family safe, not become "armed, dangerous, and ready for trouble".

[Bob Mayne]

First of all, congratulations on taking the step to learn about responsible firearms ownership at such a young age.  I don't live the lifestyle that would require a gun either.  However, I do realize that there are people out there who do.  They are called criminals.  And they often inject themselves into the lives of people who think they "don't need a gun."  Unfortunately, the people who don't think they would ever need a gun, sometimes need one, when the criminal decides to get involved in their lifestyle, even if it's for a very short time.

As a result, the people who don't think they need a gun, sometimes die or become injured because, because they never thought it would happen to them.  I can tell you, that 8 years ago, I never thought I would ever need to carry a gun.  It only took one event, to change my mind. 

Just keep learning everything you can, and as previously mentioned, when you're of age, get your permit, buy a gun and get good training and become a responsible citizen who exercises his 2nd amendment rights.  For now, that's all you can do.

[Tennessee Jed]

Ben, a long time ago I was in your position.  When I was a young teen, Dad and I hunted, and we had a few shotguns and rifles, but none were really appropriate for defense, and I was always concerned what would happen if we faced a home invasion, etc.  I wanted Dad to have a handgun in the house that could always be ready in case something happened.

After years of talking about it, letting him know what was available and for what price, and pointing out every time a bad situation occurred in our town, Dad eventually got a handgun, one I helped him pick out.  If you stay determined, you might be successful. 

(For what it's worth, that handgun was a big S&W 28, 357 magnum, that lived in a drawer for 30 years.  Dad passed away last year, and I now carry that big revolver regularly.  I think he'd be glad to know that the same revolver now protects his grandchildren.)