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Although I am a staunch gun rights advocate, I have never owned a gun and am a complete novice about firearms.

But this week, I finally decided to learn to shoot, apply for a CCW permit and buy a gun once I know what I'm doing. I have even persuaded my wife to join me in my first course, the NRA Home Firearms Safety Course, which is a requirement for getting a CCW permit here in Massachusetts.

I doubt she will want to actually get her own permit, and she is still not comfortable with the idea of having a gun in the house (especially since we have a young child). Of course, I have concerns about that too.

But I do believe that all citizens in a free society should know how to use firearms, and must be willing and able to defend themselves. After last Tuesday's attack, I have finally decided it's time to put up or shut up.

"...she is still not comfortable with the idea of having a gun in the house (especially since we have a young child). Of course, I have concerns about that too."

Since you're undertaking classes to safely use your new firearm, make sure you do what's necessary to secure that firearm from your child. Get a good lockable gun safe. My personal preference is one that opens with a key so you won't be fumbling with a combination lock when trying to open the safe under stress. You and your wife can wear the key on a chain around your necks - always available and always under your control. That way, the gun in the safe can be kept loaded and ready to go.

Indeed, I have 2 young children, my oldest daughter is 5 years old. On her 5th birthday, I took out my pistol, unloaded, and showed her exactly what it was, what it did, and how it did it. I let her hold it, in the proper manner, and allowed her to watch me take it apart and clean it.

I then took her to the range with me, along with a number of my other weapons, and showed her what a gun really does. I have a little 67A 22 plinker rifle, which I showed her how to shoot, and showed her how to load it. UNDER TOTAL SUPERVISION!!!

She now know what a gun does, how it does it, and what it is capable of doing. I have taught her that she does not touch a gun unless, I AM THERE, NO ONE ELSE. If she sees someone else with a gun, and I am not there, she needs to leave the area, unless I have told her otherwise beforehand. If a child has a gun, she is immediately to leave the area and find and tell an adult.

I have gun proofed my child, they are not a mystery, she knows what they do, what they feel like, and what it is like to shoot one. She knows that she is not to touch my Pistol, PERIOD, although, most of the time it is on my person, otherwise it is locked in my wall safe.

No, gun proof your child, you want to be able to use that weapon on a moments notice, and locked in a safe in the attack is not close enough.

And when my 1 year old turns 5, I will do the same with her!! and when my daughters reach the grand age of 10, they will each get thier own Ruger 10-22. They will only be used under my supervision of course, but they will own them.

I have even persuaded my wife to join me in my first course, the NRA Home Firearms Safety Course, which is a requirement for getting a CCW permit here in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS?? Oh, man good luck... Expect to have new hoops and hurdles put in your way whenever you manage to pass the last set.