[globjgtyf]

I just got home from my parents house and am feeling a little paranoid about the escalation of violence we see everywhere. I think I usually just take it in stride as I seem to have gotten somewhat immune to it. Plus I try to de-stress myself by not watching the news very much.
It really struck me how alarmed my dad has become about things. Calm and cool guy that he is. This new awful thing with the family in Connecticut that was recently massacre'd had him so stirred up. He kept saying I never dreamed in my lifetime I would ever see anything like what's going on today. He told me I taught you kids to take care of yourselves. Now I am telling you that the little ones, need to be taught how to use a weapon. And don't go thinking I'm getting old and afraid he added. Something is really wrong in our society today. Of course he was raised on a farm so he was carrying a 22 rifle around since he was about 8. His grandpa taught him all about it and the responsibility of it. My husband and I never started training the kids until they were about 12 or 13 in the use of a firearm. My dad kept saying if one of those children had been taught maybe things wouldn't have ended up that way. Or perhaps if they just were armed which apparently they weren't. I am thinking I may start to train my 8 year old. Do you guys think it is too young? His pedi says he is very bright for 8.
This question is for those that are gun owners. I'm not interested in what any of you anti gun sitting duck type people have to say so save it.