The whole issue of gun ownership is sadly overhyped and sensationalised on all levels, this was really brought home to me when my wife who is a teacher of some 30 years standing, she specialises now in children with behavioural social and family issues. Last year she was having a coffee break with her colleagues as she has done for the last god knows haw many years, somehow the subject of guns came up and she innocently told the assembled that I shot regularly as a sport and owned a number of guns.
the reaction she got really shocked her, with a unanimous condemnation of my sport and real concerns as to the safety of our children with guns in the house! there was even a suggestion that because of the firearms she might want to review her position working with children !! Thankfully my missus is very level headed and took time to explain the nature of the sport and the fact that all guns in the household were licensed. Despite this a number of her colleagues were still seriously concerned that someone they worked with had access to guns.There seemed to be a general consensus that I or She might run amok with them for some obscure reason.
She explained I belonged to a recognised association and that the police inspected our premises and ensured the guns were secure , this did little to assure her colleagues they were firmly of the opinion ALL guns were dangerous and No ONe should have the right to own one except the military or the Police. I have since made sure we had all the ill informed and their partners around for dinner it is surprising how much they quote the sensationalist headlines of the media and believe everything is gospel!! the debates I have had have been quite astonishing in terms of peoples perception of owning a gun. I am afraid we all have to keep on aasuring and educating friends, colleagues and any one we might meet its a never ending task!!
