[NickC502709]

I have two kids, one 4 and the other less than a year old. My wife and I know that it is important to teach them at the right age how to safely handle and respect a firearm but obviously I don't think the time is now. On top of that anyone who has a 4 year old knows they tell people everything, so I would prefer my son not know I even own a gun now. The issue I am running into now is once I get my ccdw license, how do I carry and my son not find out. I have been looking at many iwb holsters but many ride a little too high and show enough that he will see. I have a small frame and big shirts look funny on me. I have been wearing the gun unloaded around the house to get comfortable with it and I can wear it super low but can't seem to find a holster that will ride that low. Any help will be appreciated. I have looked into adding a Clipdraw but wasnt sure about the issues it may present with the firearm being against my body for long periods of time.

Order Clipdraw - Universal Clipdraw Fits All Handguns

 

[Marinevietvet]

I have two kids, one 4 and the other less than a year old. My wife and I know that it is important to teach them at the right age how to safely handle and respect a firearm but obviously I don't think the time is now. On top of that anyone who has a 4 year old knows they tell people everything, so I would prefer my son not know I even own a gun now. The issue I am running into now is once I get my ccdw license, how do I carry and my son not find out. I have been looking at many iwb holsters but many ride a little too high and show enough that he will see. I have a small frame and big shirts look funny on me. I have been wearing the gun unloaded around the house to get comfortable with it and I can wear it super low but can't seem to find a holster that will ride that low. Any help will be appreciated. I have looked into adding a Clipdraw but wasnt sure about the issues it may present with the firearm being against my body for long periods of time.

Order Clipdraw - Universal Clipdraw Fits All Handguns

Hi there.

Since my sons are long grown I really have no advice for you but I understand your concern.

I will read along with you any suggestions others might have.

 

[btleslie]

I recommend Theis holsters (one of our sponsors) or the Cross Bread style holsters. I carry compact and full size guns with these and can even tuck my shirts in without printing. A close bump will disclose a hard object on my hip.

These are your kids and I will not tell you how to raise them. However, I'd encourage you to not try to hide your gun from your kids especially the 4 year old. Kids are by nature very curious and even if you keep it in a safe odds are he'll find it. Hopefully you'll be there and can deal with it right then and there, but what if you're not? What if the first time is out in Public and your shirt rides up and the gun shows. "Daddy why do you have a gun?", in a loud voice.

There are a few threads on here where we have discussed guns and kids. I'd recommend gathering him in a man to man discussion with the gun unloaded and talk about what a gun is for and what it is not. Let him ask questions and if he asks let him hold it (again unloaded). Discuss that it is a family secret and should not be discussed away from the family. Make it a fun time. There was one post on here about a game one of our members used with their kids to reinforce gun safety. I am a firm believer in taking away the mystery of the gun from kids. Take away the mystery and you take away the curiosity. Check out the Eddy Eagle courses with the NRA as well for other options for teaching your kids about gun safety.

I saw a news report many years ago where they left an unloaded gun in a day care situation to see what the kids would do. Everyone of them picked it up and started playing with it. Most of these kids had never been exposed to a real gun in their life. These are the same type of kids in my opinion who you'll hear about killing their friend because they found a gun in Daddy's night stand.

Just some things to think about and no I do not think 4 is too young to get them started shooting. BB guns or even a 22.

 

[oldbull360]

The old faithful and theis holsters can be adjusted to ride low and you can get one with only a single clip so it won't be so obvious.

 

[ATXCHLHOLDER]

I have a little girl that's almost 6 and plan on taking her to the range at some point and letting her shoot my wife's chipmunk. But for now she doesn't know we even own the 4 pistols, 1 shotgun, and 5 rifles that are locked away. I would take a look at 3 Speed Holster, I plan on getting one for my Taurus, and maybe one for my XD.

 

[NickC502709]

I recommend Theis holsters (one of our sponsors) or the Cross Bread style holsters. I carry compact and full size guns with these and can even tuck my shirts in without printing. A close bump will disclose a hard object on my hip.

These are your kids and I will not tell you how to raise them. However, I'd encourage you to not try to hide your gun from your kids especially the 4 year old. Kids are by nature very curious and even if you keep it in a safe odds are he'll find it. Hopefully you'll be there and can deal with it right then and there, but what if you're not? What if the first time is out in Public and your shirt rides up and the gun shows. "Daddy why do you have a gun?", in a loud voice.

There are a few threads on here where we have discussed guns and kids. I'd recommend gathering him in a man to man discussion with the gun unloaded and talk about what a gun is for and what it is not. Let him ask questions and if he asks let him hold it (again unloaded). Discuss that it is a family secret and should not be discussed away from the family. Make it a fun time. There was one post on here about a game one of our members used with their kids to reinforce gun safety. I am a firm believer in taking away the mystery of the gun from kids. Take away the mystery and you take away the curiosity. Check out the Eddy Eagle courses with the NRA as well for other options for teaching your kids about gun safety.

I saw a news report many years ago where they left an unloaded gun in a day care situation to see what the kids would do. Everyone of them picked it up and started playing with it. Most of these kids had never been exposed to a real gun in their life. These are the same type of kids in my opinion who you'll hear about killing their friend because they found a gun in Daddy's night stand.

Just some things to think about and no I do not think 4 is too young to get them started shooting. BB guns or even a 22.

I fully understand the importance of him knowing the difference between real life and playtime but I plan on doing it at a range and him not knowing it is mine. I know that at 4 he wont be able to keep the secret in public.

 

[Lmstncwby]

We have our three-going-on-four-year old grandniece staying with us. What a bundle of curiosity! I am always armed by she doesn't know it and I will not tell her either until she is older and more mature. When she sees me reloading she asks what I am doing. I just tell her that I am doing my hobby and she is happy with that. And yes, she is a blabber mouth and a tattler, so we are very careful what we say around her. Oh yes, the pistol is secured in a biometric pistol safe at night incase miss nosey decides to take a peak. Otherwise, if not on my belt under my shirt, it is locked in a microsafe of some sort.

 

[protectthe2nd]

I recommend Theis holsters (one of our sponsors) or the Cross Bread style holsters. I carry compact and full size guns with these and can even tuck my shirts in without printing. A close bump will disclose a hard object on my hip.

These are your kids and I will not tell you how to raise them. However, I'd encourage you to not try to hide your gun from your kids especially the 4 year old. Kids are by nature very curious and even if you keep it in a safe odds are he'll find it. Hopefully you'll be there and can deal with it right then and there, but what if you're not? What if the first time is out in Public and your shirt rides up and the gun shows. "Daddy why do you have a gun?", in a loud voice.

There are a few threads on here where we have discussed guns and kids. I'd recommend gathering him in a man to man discussion with the gun unloaded and talk about what a gun is for and what it is not. Let him ask questions and if he asks let him hold it (again unloaded). Discuss that it is a family secret and should not be discussed away from the family. Make it a fun time. There was one post on here about a game one of our members used with their kids to reinforce gun safety. I am a firm believer in taking away the mystery of the gun from kids. Take away the mystery and you take away the curiosity. Check out the Eddy Eagle courses with the NRA as well for other options for teaching your kids about gun safety.

I saw a news report many years ago where they left an unloaded gun in a day care situation to see what the kids would do. Everyone of them picked it up and started playing with it. Most of these kids had never been exposed to a real gun in their life. These are the same type of kids in my opinion who you'll hear about killing their friend because they found a gun in Daddy's night stand.

Just some things to think about and no I do not think 4 is too young to get them started shooting. BB guns or even a 22.

btleslie, please do not take this a s a personal assault, as it is not, like you said I won't tell you how to raise your kids, but I thoroughly disagree the premise of trying to teach a young child firearm safety. There is no circumstance under which a man can have a "man to man" with a 4 year old, as a 4 year old is in no way a man. Half of them can't keep from crapping their pants. Also, I believe that no person should handle, much less shoot, a firearm until they understand how it operates since the only way to be absolutely safe with a firearm is to fully comprehend it's functions and be mature and compenent enough to control them. I believe that introducing a child to guns too early causes more problems than cures ( I can play with this because my dad let me once).

I do agree that one of the key solutions to the anti-gun mindset and most of the accidental shootings (10 year old shoots his friend when he finds daddy's gun) is to educate and dismiss the idea that guns are nothing more than killing machines and that, when left unattended, they cause death and destruction. But again, a four year old can not comprehend the concepts or responsibility.

I don't know what age is appropriate, as it depends on your individual, family preferences, but pre-school age is just too young for most brains.

To the original post; sorry that I offered no help for your actual question, but i thought I'd share an opinion as a side note.

 

[btleslie]

btleslie, please do not take this a s a personal assault, as it is not, like you said I won't tell you how to raise your kids, but I thoroughly disagree the premise of trying to teach a young child firearm safety. There is no circumstance under which a man can have a "man to man" with a 4 year old, as a 4 year old is in no way a man. Half of them can't keep from crapping their pants. Also, I believe that no person should handle, much less shoot, a firearm until they understand how it operates since the only way to be absolutely safe with a firearm is to fully comprehend it's functions and be mature and compenent enough to control them. I believe that introducing a child to guns too early causes more problems than cures ( I can play with this because my dad let me once).

I do agree that one of the key solutions to the anti-gun mindset and most of the accidental shootings (10 year old shoots his friend when he finds daddy's gun) is to educate and dismiss the idea that guns are nothing more than killing machines and that, when left unattended, they cause death and destruction. But again, a four year old can not comprehend the concepts or responsibility.

I don't know what age is appropriate, as it depends on your individual, family preferences, but pre-school age is just too young for most brains.

To the original post; sorry that I offered no help for your actual question, but i thought I'd share an opinion as a side note.

No offense taken my friend.

 

[Fishinkeylargo]

One think I have learned raising my 4 kids is they are all different. My youngest being 8 is just not ready to go to the range yet. While my 11 year old was ready at the age of 6. As their parent you can just tell when they are ready.

My gun safety training started with all of them around the age of 5-6, the summer before 1st grade starts. I want them to learn to respect guns and not fear them as so many schools try to do.

Only you know when the right time is to teach yours.

As far as the concealed carry method goes, can't help you much with that, other then I pocket carry and no body has ever questioned what is that even when it is bumped.

 

[ice]

I'm not sure I'd have the heart to heart with him at 4 yrs old, BUT, I dont think I'd hide it either.. If he happened to see it, I'd just tell him that it was something that keeps him safe from the bad guys.. The more he sees it, the more commonplace it's going to be, and thus the less likely he is to blurt anything in public.. In my experience if you hide stuff and make a big deal out of it, then it's a big deal to them.

Anyway, as to your question, I'd check out Theis, or maybe a belly band type holster if you want to be totally concealed,although lot harder to get to in an emergency... Tons of options out there! Good luck!

 

[Stroker]

I have a 3.5 year old and one due in June.My 3.5 year old is very curious and he knows what a gun is(He can see a couple of rifles and shotguns in a gun cabinet with a LOCKED glass door).I have never taken a shooting position or aimed one in front of him and he has no toy guns.He knows they are daddy's and he is not to touch.That being said he is 3.5 and they are never left where he could get to them if I were in the shower or what not.I even have a small 22 pump rifle that will be his one day and when he is a little older we will have the discussion and I will take him shooting if he is interested.I have considered having an instructor teach him so it won't be coming from daddy.
There is no cut and dry answer.I do not want my kids to be afraid of them,however I do want them to respect them and what they can do.I hope to teach them if a kid finds one and starts playing with it to leave right away and find a grown up.Follow your gut and SAFETY first.Different kids will be taught in different ways.

 

[mawguy]

I am not a big fan of keeping secrets, or telling fairy tales when it comes to serious stuff. If your kids know the difference between right and wrong, that is a start. If they know that police officers carry guns to protect themselves and others from bad people, they should not fear the police. They should also know that plain clothes police also have guns, just like the ones who have uniforms. You could then explain that fathers [and mothers] take care of and protect their children from everything. From there, you can explain that sometime, a bad person can start to do a bad thing and a police man might not be around. That's when fathers [and mothers] who have a license to carry a gun secretly can protect the ones they love. That is why you would have a gun. Once the child understands this, then you ask them to keep this information secret, because it helps you make sure they are safe.

As far as concealment, I personally don't like clip or minimalist carry methods. If you want deep concealment, a belly band or a product like "thunderwear" might be a good choice. Those methods offer great concealment, but present some challenges when drawing the weapon. You will have to decide for yourself what works. Good luck.

 

[dadillac]

As far as what age is the right age, I cant help you there.

But for the holster, High Noon Holsters makes a series of IWB holsters designed to ride extra low for deep concealment. Looking at one for myself actually

 

[FreedomCosts]

I'm with btleslie, take the curiosity out of it. It's something lots of people do, son, and it's very dangerous so never touch it. But it's something grown-ups need, lke a tool. Don't mean to give specific wording, but along those lines. If he thinks it's taboo the curiosity will be over the top.

 

[vaskeet]

put it on just like you do your cell phone and dont make a big deal out of it and he will not even think its a secret Randy

 

[Stengun]

Howdy,

My daughter is 17yo and I could not start to count the number of times she has said something like "It's ok, my Dad has a gun.".

A few years ago I took my kid a several of her friends, 12-15yo girls, to the Mall in Little Rock and 3 non-white young men in their late teens/early twenties started running their mouth to one of the girls, a 13yo that could pass for a 18yo underwear model, and I told them to leave and mind their own business. One decided that he wanted to play "Billy Badbutt" in front of his friends and the girls and started saying stuff about how he could do anything he wanted to do because there were 3 of them and only one of me.

My daughter told the other girls "It's ok, my Dad has a gun.".

One of the girls said "With him?"

My daughter "Yeah. He never leaves the house without his gun. It's a Glock.".

Suddenly the young men decided that they were late for a very important date.

Paul

 

[bluesguy72]

I agree with most and say don't hide it. It's makes them more curious. I don't think anyone here can tell you what to do, only offer advice and tips on what we've done. We have a three year old that goes to daycare. On occasion we have noticed her picking up a toy and pretending it's a pow pow(that's what she calls it). Now she's obviously picked that up at daycare being around other children, because she's never seen any of us shoot one. She may have come across me cleaning one from time to time, but that's it.
Recently my wife and I decided to leave a .22 pistol (safety checked by both of us numerous time, of course) laying out in the living room when we were all in there, just to see what she would do. Over the course of a week she looked at it a couple of times and would then look at us. We simply told her that it's Daddy's and to never touch. That was the last time she paid any attention to it.
Just the other day I was brushing her teeth and she glanced at mine in my waist and said "That's your pow pow. I not touch it. Mamma not touch it. Sister not touch it." I just kissed her on the head and said "that's right baby girl."

 

[TaurusMe]

How about a T-shirt tucked in, any IWB you like worn at 4-5 o'clock (if right handed), then an unbuttoned button down shirt over top (not tucked in.) It's surprising how good this can look. May need to rethink in warmer months/climates.

Regarding teaching children:

Eddie Eagle GunSafe|Eddie Eagle GunSafe

"If you see a gun:

STOP!
Don't Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult."

This is taught at our local elementary school.

 

[vabene7]

I have 2 little ones, 14 months and almost 3. They won't catch a glimpse of a firearm for a long time.
little ones just don't have an idea of consequence.....