Over-reaction or reasonable precaution?

[Dreamstalker]

Dude, when I was a kid, I drew downright disturbing shit.

Ditto. Of course, all this 'zero-tolerance' bullshit didn't exist when I was a pup so the most that happened is that some of my grade school teachers suggested I take art instead of what passed for 'history class'.

My grandfather's old service revolver--unloaded--was in his desk drawer in the upstairs where I played all the time. He knew this, and also knew that the ammunition was somewhere I'd never find it (his bedroom, which I was not allowed in unless he was with me) and that I was too smart to start playing with it (the first time I did find it, I handled it more or less 'correctly': finger off the trigger, didn't wave it around, etc; mom had to pop the cylinder for me, but she was impressed I knew what to do).

[MadMike]

OK, and what idiot(s) put in a mandatory reporting law for *drawings* of guns?

Remember, when drawings of guns are outlawed, only drawings of outlaws will have drawings of guns.

...or something like that.

[jackfaire]

Also, I lived in the damn suburbs, and there were guns in the home when I was a child. Dad had a couple of rifles and shotguns he used for hunting. When people hear that, the usual reaction is "OMG, children in danger!" They ignore the part when I mention that said guns were fitted with trigger locks and kept in a locked safe, and that the ammunition was also locked, and kept somewhere else.

Those people are morons but this kid was saying, "My dad walks around the house waving his gun"

[bainsidhe]

And after they let the guy go, authorities have him sign a waiver to allow them to search his house top to bottom. Hell no. He'd been talking to a lawyer while in jail, right? So why would any lawyer allow cops free reign through this guy's home, especially after he'd already been freed?

I hope none of these students draw pictures of Santa. What does it mean when children willingly accept candy and gifts from a strange, jolly, fat man that breaks into the home overnight?

[blas87]

I drew so many dicks as a kid, it's amazing I didn't grow up to be a sex offender.

[Mytical]

Heh if these rules were around when I was a kid, my father probably would still not have seen the light of day.

I was taught at an early age the proper way to handle and treat a gun. To ALWAYS consider it loaded, to fire it, to maintain it. Heck when I was in the military..I was getting sharpshooter and marksmen scores left and right..that is with bad eyesight and glasses that would not stay on my face.

He had a gun, a shotgun..never where we could reach it mind..but he had it. Of course he also was the first to let me try beer, smoking..because he would have rather had me do it at home then somewhere and get hurt. I never did like the taste of alcohol much..and turns out I am alergic to smoke..so...

Yeah..if these rules were around when I was young..my dad would have been locked up and had the key thrown away.

[blas87]

No kidding. My parents would have been sent to prison, along with their belts and wooden spoons.

[jackfaire]

Yeah..if these rules were around when I was young..my dad would have been locked up and had the key thrown away.

Why it doesn't sound like they would have any concern that your dad was putting you in a dangerous situation.