I was taught ,at an early age, the proper regard, respect and handling of firearms. I am grateful for that because in such teaching, I learned what NOT to do with firearms.

On the other hand, I have a friend who is almost obbsessive about his guns and I  worry that his respect for them differes from my learnings.

Anytime you are in his home, sitting around the same kitchen table that I sat around many times in my growing up years, you can be assured that their is a handgun underneath his seat cushion, like he's hatching an egg.

He keeps one in reach when he sleeps at night, they are all loaded.

One incident many moons ago made me question his ability to be responsible with these guns. He was expecting his brother and myself at his house one evening, their family always had an open door policy, just come on in. Well, that evening we knocked and knocked and then just came on in. We found ourselves looking down the barrel of a loaded shotgun. Argument was the reaminder of the day.

Scouting is a good place to learn these things. There is no assurance that you aren't teaching a potential keg of dynomite for the future but it is much better learning there then what you get from movies and videos on MTV.

I learned how to walk with a weapon safely, how to never point it at anyone, loaded or not, how not to shoot your best friend in the face while hunting. Though, I decided long ago that a hunter, I am not. I learned that a unloaded weapon can be dangerous, all of the things a responsible gun owner should know and practice. Today, the only gun I own is an old Ithica 16 Ga. shotgun that my Dad gave me at the age of 16. It was used primarily for shooting pidgeons, clay pidgeons. I keep it for the sentimental value. I couldn't even tell you the last time it was loaded.

I rely on a certain amount of faith for my daily self defense.