Guns in the home

MommaA117

Growing up my Dad always had guns. Old shot guns and a smaller gun for protection in the top of his closet. It was always known by me.

I for the most part have been against having guns in the house with my future kids.

We live in a pretty safe suburb of Houston but even here lately the news has been focusing on breakins. They are kicking in doors while people are home. DH made the comment the other night that if someone were to break in he would have no way to protect us and wants to consider getting a gun. I know he thought I'd knock the idea right away but I'm actually considering it. We discussed gun safety and that they lock, taking classes etc..

What are your thoughts on guns in the house with Children?

Gwyneddlesliegrace

My H loves guns so much, but I wont let him have any right now. Our dd gets into everything and is so smart that I am scared she could get into a gun case... I will let H get one when our kids are older and can understand safety.

*Now that we have a garage I may consider letting him keep one (very locked up and high) in there... but I am not so sure.

luvbeingmom

we live in az, and dh has had the same thoughts about getting a gun to have here

i don't see a problem with it as long as you, and your children are educated about how to handle them (or not handle them for your kids)

as with anything, education is the key... 

3Girls3xsTheFun

H likes to shoot for fun & has a shotgun in our bedroom. It's always unloaded and locked in its case (with a combination lock).

I don't mind having THAT kind of gun in my house. I wouldn't want a handgun that is used for protection, especially if it is left loaded at all times. The only exception to me would be if my H was some kind of law enforcement officer.

CarlaAndJames

We had them growing up, but I have never (even to this day!) seen them. I have no idea where they were hidden. I did know that if I were ever to stumble on one that they were not toys, and I'm fairly sure I would not have touched it.

 I have no problem with it, but neither my husband or myself are comfortable with guns, and it would probably end up being more dangerous for us to have it than not for us.

ikissedthecook

I've been really torn on this topic as well. Mostly I lean towards not having guns. However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know. DH was raised with all those skills, and I kind of would like our son to learn them too. But I don't like the idea of our son being exposed to the violence of hunting, etc. Ugh, I'm so torn. If we do have a gun, we would definitely keep it out of reach and raise our son to respect guns.

stuck322

This has recently been a topic in my home. DH is going through the process of getting his permit to buy guns here in NJ. Having a gun in my home scares me, I know it would be under lock and key, but I just have a natural fear of guns. I'm not against them in any way and I think if you are responsible enough to learn how to store them and use them properly it would be a good idea to have in your home for protection.  He's still working on me, I would be okay having a gun in my home if I can learn how to use it and help pick out the locked case it will be in.

Sazhrah

My only problem with his reasoning is that study after study has proven that reaction time in situations like that (caught completely off guard) has not allowed the gun owner to get and use the device properly.

For instance: say you have the gun in a bureau and someone knocks in your door while you are cooking dinner. Do you really think that him and/or you would have sufficient time to get to the gun, load it, take off safety and shoot it before the assailant attacked you?

I worked with guns in the army (ammunition supply specialist and sharpshooter) and still would not have a gun in the house simply because it would basically be a paper weight.

If you do decide make sure that both you and him take extensive hand gun training and see if there are classes that can test you in r/l scenarios before you completely decide if it is a good idea for your family.

Just my $.02

ChristinaMT4

Guns aren't for us. I'm not against others owning them for protection or hunting though.

EMLYNNLERETTE

CarlaAndJames:

We had them growing up, but I have never (even to this day!) seen them. I have no idea where they were hidden. I did know that if I were ever to stumble on one that they were not toys, and I'm fairly sure I would not have touched it.

 I have no problem with it, but neither my husband or myself are comfortable with guns, and it would probably end up being more dangerous for us to have it than not for us.

I will also add that my wonderful big brother who is not a scary person AT ALL once pointed a BB gun at me because he was angry with me.  This happened when he was about 10.  Maybe he knew it couldn't kill me, maybe he didn't, all I know is it scared the hell out of me and still makes me sad.  Children and guns just do not mix unless they are supervised 100% of the time.  They just don't have the sense to make decisions in heated moments IMO.  I think any gun in a house should be locked in a gun safe, but then I would assume the guns are for hunting/collecting purposes since they are not easily accessible right?

pammeelala

I feel 100% ok with all the guns in my house with kids.

I grew up with the gun cabinet in MY BEDROOM because there was no where else to put it.  It stayed locked at all times.  Ammo was always locked up in a different area.  My dad and grandfather taught me to shoot when I was 5 years old.  Gun safety was highly stressed and it was made clear that even though we had toy guns (pop guns, water guns, etc...) there was a difference and we were to never play with or around them.

I now have that exact same gun cabinet in the den in my basement.  My DD was taught gun safety and how how to shoot from 6 years old.  She, too, knows it's not to be played with.  I also have a 9mm at the top of my closet that is not locked.  It is in it's safe so it is not just out in the open, but it isn't locked so we have access to it if we need it in a hurry.  This LO will be taught the same way as DD was.  In fact, FIL has already bought him a berretta shot gun... (MH grew up hunting and the tradition will apparently continue)

Take the safety classes.  Go to a shooting range.  Try different makes and models, just like test driving a car.  Get comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be, with firearms before you and YH make any final decisions.  Research different guns and safes.  They are not for every one and I believe that any one who is afraid to use it will do more harm than good should the need arise. 

stinalee24

*sigh* Well, at this point I might prefer a locked up gun to the hatchet DH keeps under the bed. Because we all know if we're getting robbed that a hatchet is going to be what saves us

In all seriousness though, with an infant I'd be fine (mostly) with it locked up, with a toddler/young child my mind would change, just because they're little escape artists and can get into things they should never be able to. And then with an older child who kind of "gets it" I'd go back to being more comfortable with it.

gymnst1013

We have a zillion.  OK I may be overstating, but MH is somewhat of a collector.  Most are locked away in his office as they are not the sort for home protection, but he does keep one in his office drawer.  I don't think it's loaded.

Our son will be taught gun safety from an early age and the one that we do have not locked away will not be readily accessible to him.

I think as long as the proper precautions are taken and the kids are taught safety and to respect the guns, there should be no problem.  I'm not at all concerned personally.

KYBABY2011

I never had guns growing up. My dad said he would be too scared for it to even be useful. lol. We have a gun in our closet. Hubby says whenever the kids are old enough, he will take them out and show them what it does, so that they aren't curious to try it alone. I'm nervous about it, but I wasn't sleeping at all because I was terrified that someone would break in so we got one. 

pinay976

My dad always had a gun in the house and we already have several. Before I got pregnant we regularly took them to the gun range, so we are both very comfortable with handling them.

As far as having them with children. We both believe it is all about education. I know lots of people that don't explain what guns are or what they are used for to their children. So God forbid, if your kids find them or get their hands on them (which can happen at a friends house, not just in your home) they think they are toys and don't realize the danger.

I mean, you would explain what scissors are or knives are, what they are used for and why they are dangerous, so why wouldn't you do the same with a firearm? Your kids need to know what to do or not to do if they come across guns in or outside your home.

And of course if you decide to have guns at home with kids, lock them up!! We have biometric safes that can only be opened with our fingerprints in different places of our home. So if I need one in a hurry I can get to one quickly,(our area has the same problem with people kicking in doors in the middle of the day and I'm home all day) but my future LO will never be able to get his hands on it by accident.

luvbeingmom

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

DreamChaser246

I'm not comfortable with it, but I also don't live in an area where it is necessary. To me the danger is more of the kid getting to it, versus a breakin or the risk of needing it.

MommaA117

pinay976:

My dad always had a gun in the house and we already have several. Before I got pregnant we regularly took them to the gun range, so we are both very comfortable with handling them.

As far as having them with children. We both believe it is all about education. I know lots of people that don't explain what guns are or what they are used for to their children. So God forbid, if your kids find them or get their hands on them (which can happen at a friends house, not just in your home) they think they are toys and don't realize the danger.

I mean, you would explain what scissors are or knives are, what they are used for and why they are dangerous, so why wouldn't you do the same with a firearm? Your kids need to know what to do or not to do if they come across guns in or outside your home.

And of course if you decide to have guns at home with kids, lock them up!! We have biometric safes that can only be opened with our fingerprints in different places of our home. So if I need one in a hurry I can get to one quickly,(our area has the same problem with people kicking in doors in the middle of the day and I'm home all day) but my future LO will never be able to get his hands on it by accident.

yeah we also have a safe and would use a gun lock.

Growing up I got a "gun talk". Thats how I knew where it was. My Dad made it a point to explain it to me and how dangerous it was and to not touch.

I had no interest.

I just know of two stories personally of preteens playing with guns that ended up tragically. However, I am not quite sure how responsibe the parents of these kids were..

ikissedthecook

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

Lol- I mean, have you seen The Walking Dead?

bt3701

Sazhrah:

My only problem with his reasoning is that study after study has proven that reaction time in situations like that (caught completely off guard) has not allowed the gun owner to get and use the device properly.

For instance: say you have the gun in a bureau and someone knocks in your door while you are cooking dinner. Do you really think that him and/or you would have sufficient time to get to the gun, load it, take off safety and shoot it before the assailant attacked you?

I worked with guns in the army (ammunition supply specialist and sharpshooter) and still would not have a gun in the house simply because it would basically be a paper weight.

If you do decide make sure that both you and him take extensive hand gun training and see if there are classes that can test you in r/l scenarios before you completely decide if it is a good idea for your family.

Just my $.02

I like this. Personally, I never plan to own a gun or have one in my home. No knocking any of you that do, it's just not for me.

OP, there are lots of things you can do to reinforce your doors. We had problems in the past with break ins in our building. In fact, both our next door neighbor and the unit below hers were broken in to. The police told us all that with this type of break in (kicking, crowbars) the weakness is often the doorframe. Here is what we used (sorry, not clicky):

This is more of a visual deterrent. Intruder sees it on the door, and hopefully decides to try a door that looks easier. It reinforces the door at its weakest point, where a crowbar is typically inserted. You can install it yourself, of have a locksmith do it:

https://www.jmlock.com/donjo-interlock-inswing-door-latch-protector.aspx

This also reinforces the doorframe. My H installed these himself:

https://www.asafehome.net/ 

Last thing, this goes under your doorknob while you're home, or you can use it while you're gone as long as you don't need to get back in that door. We had it on our back door.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I  

Do you have ADT or something like that? I'd rather spend my money on all of the above, plus a small fee per moth for a security system rather than a gun that would be so locked up and put away that it would be essentially useless in a break in.  

Lastly, are you sure you or your H would even want to pull out a gun on anyone? You never know what kind of chaos that could unleash.... 

gymnst1013

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

You all would be shocked and amazed at how prepared we are for the apocolypse!  MH is a nut about it   We have so much stuff it's not even funny.  MH has a bag packed and everything!  It's hilarious but hey, we will survive! 

Pookie's_Girl

DH and I both like to shoot. And, DH and FIL both like to hunt. As of right now, we have a hand gun that we keep locked away for home protection, with the ammo in a different place. I also have a rifle that I take to the shooting range, which is also always locked away. DH just took the concealed carry classes, and he's working on getting his license, and he wants me to do the same after LO is born, which I am fine with. I'd personally feel much better with a pistol strapped to me than with one locked away somewhere that could take God knows how long to get to. When DS is old enough, DH and I will show him the guns and explain what they are for, and make sure he understands the dangers involved with them. Although, I'm sure my FIL will be way ahead of us, as he's already talking about how excited he is to take his grandson hunting.

O2BaMom

Dh had guns before he was DH so there was no way around it.  I don't like them but we bought a gun safe and he has taught me how to operate them should (God forbid) I need to.  I do limit him to two guns saying "You have two hands you get two guns, period."  He's ok with this, for now.

MammaBear81

I have been anti-gun for as long as I can remember.  It's not that I hate guns, but I feel that a lot of people are irresponsible with them.  I've never wanted a gun in my house, that being said DH needs to change his line of work and he has the opportunity to be an armed guard, which means he will have a gun.  He is very responsible and it would be for work purposes only, but it still bothers me a bit just knowing it will be in the house...

ikissedthecook

gymnst1013:

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

You all would be shocked and amazed at how prepared we are for the apocolypse!  MH is a nut about it   We have so much stuff it's not even funny.  MH has a bag packed and everything!  It's hilarious but hey, we will survive! 

Honestly, I think you are really smart for doing so. I've tried to talk myself into doing so, but kind of feel like a loon when I get serious about it. But if a disaster strikes, and it would more than likely be a shortage of power sources or the sorts than a zombie invasion, you all will be the ones laughing then while the rest of us scramble!

pinay976

AprilLynn09:

I just know of two stories personally of preteens playing with guns that ended up tragically. However, I am not quite sure how responsibe the parents of these kids were..

Which is why I think education about guns is so important. Just because you decide not to have guns in your home doesn't mean your child won't come across them some place else. If my son sees one of his friends playing with a gun, I would want him to know exactly what to do in that situation.

ShangriLaRose

I have no problems with firearms in the house, so long as the obvious safety precautions are taken, and that you educate a child from very early on. My first memory of my paternal grandfather was going in to tell him good-night, and he was weighing bullets. Yes, that's right... weighing bullets. He makes his own ammunition, and 4, count 'em 4 HUGE safes full of guns... and has two rooms in his house dedicated to making/storing ammo and other things. He started teaching me about gun safety when I was about 5 years old; starting with the "you don't touch them and this is why." As I got older, I was taught more, like how to hold them, shoot them, clean them, etc.

While we live less than 5 minutes off-post from our military base, the area surrounding, in any direction, has a very high crime rate, and we've even been having problems with soldiers getting shot ON post by civilians. It's awful. Our neighborhood itself hasn't had any issues since we've been here, *knock on wood*, but when I am often home alone with our DS, it makes my husband extremely nervous. (For example, he's basically doing field training all month, and this is the only week they're allowing him to come home at night and on the weekend. After Sunday, I won't see him until the last friday in April.) So we bought a handgun in February when our taxes came in. It stays in a bio-safe right under my side of the bed so I have easy access to it, should I need it. DS has been told what it is called ("gun") and that it is NOT a toy, and he is NOT to touch it, and why. (It can hurt him, and we don't want that.) He hasn't even so much as touched the box whenever he's come into our room. He's gone with us to the range and watched each of us shoot from a distance, and he doesn't like the noise. So he stays away from it.

 It's all about education, imo. 

BosMama626

bt3701:

Sazhrah:

My only problem with his reasoning is that study after study has proven that reaction time in situations like that (caught completely off guard) has not allowed the gun owner to get and use the device properly.

For instance: say you have the gun in a bureau and someone knocks in your door while you are cooking dinner. Do you really think that him and/or you would have sufficient time to get to the gun, load it, take off safety and shoot it before the assailant attacked you?

I worked with guns in the army (ammunition supply specialist and sharpshooter) and still would not have a gun in the house simply because it would basically be a paper weight.

If you do decide make sure that both you and him take extensive hand gun training and see if there are classes that can test you in r/l scenarios before you completely decide if it is a good idea for your family.

Just my $.02

I like this. Personally, I never plan to own a gun or have one in my home. No knocking any of you that do, it's just not for me.

OP, there are lots of things you can do to reinforce your doors. We had problems in the past with break ins in our building. In fact, both our next door neighbor and the unit below hers were broken in to. The police told us all that with this type of break in (kicking, crowbars) the weakness is often the doorframe. Here is what we used (sorry, not clicky):

This is more of a visual deterrent. Intruder sees it on the door, and hopefully decides to try a door that looks easier. It reinforces the door at its weakest point, where a crowbar is typically inserted. You can install it yourself, of have a locksmith do it:

https://www.jmlock.com/donjo-interlock-inswing-door-latch-protector.aspx

This also reinforces the doorframe. My H installed these himself:

https://www.asafehome.net/ 

Last thing, this goes under your doorknob while you're home, or you can use it while you're gone as long as you don't need to get back in that door. We had it on our back door.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I  

Do you have ADT or something like that? I'd rather spend my money on all of the above, plus a small fee per moth for a security system rather than a gun that would be so locked up and put away that it would be essentially useless in a break in.  

Lastly, are you sure you or your H would even want to pull out a gun on anyone? You never know what kind of chaos that could unleash.... 

 I agree with this too.  I grew up in a family of cops, so there were gun in the house, I just didn't know where.  

We thought about getting a gun only b/c my hubs travels a TON for work.  But in all honesty, I don't think I'd react in time to unlock the gun from its case, load it and then properly shoot it.  One thing my bro (who is also a cop) brought up, is that you're responsible for where ever that bullet ends up.  If you live in a very populated area and have neighbors really close by, that bullet for go threw a window and do some unintended damage.

This is why didn't get a gun, but instead invested in a security system.  It makes me feel much more safe.

Nickiechan

I grew up similar to you. My dad always had hunting rifles, hand guns and bow/cross bows in the house. They where ALWAYS locked up in the gun safe and us kids (my brother and I) never saw them, unless he was going hunting and we said bye to him. DH isn't a hunter, but he has voiced his wants for a hand gun once in awhile. We live in a very rural area where our neighbor is pretty far from us. We don't get break ins, but I am sure our neighbors have guns (red neck area DH calls it! LOL I guess that makes us red necks.). I am OK with him wanting a hand gun as long as he gets a safe... as I said when I was younger I NEVER saw the guns (unless Dad went hunting) and really didn't know where the lock safe was until I was a bit older. I think why people/children get hurt is becasue they are irresponsible... and they just leave their guns out for children to find. That is just my opinion. I think if you are responsible I don't see an issue with having one with LO.

brobin01

My dad is a police officer, so we grew up with guns in the house, but never knew where they were. I am against irresponsible people owning guns. I am not against responsible persons owning guns. We have 2 guns. They are locekd up and put away. Only my DH knows where they are. I am not a fan of guns, but in this day and age, I do believe they are necessary for protection.

Turtle143

DH had brought this idea up a few years back when we lived in a very safe, yuppie suburb. I of course said no to that. Since last year though we've moved to an "okay" neighborhood to be close to family but a mile behind our new construction community feels sketchy. I've honestly been more paranoid about break ins in fact I dreamt about it the other night!

I still don't know if I want guns in the house but we're now looking into home security. Sigh. It would be like $50 a month though but it's peace of mind I can have and I can't really put a price on that.

jal79

We have them...but my husband is a state trooper so its necessary for him to bring a gun home with him.  They are locked in a box in our nightstand and ALWAYS taken apart. 

We had guns in our house growing up and my sister and I never had any interest in them that really I guess we forgot they were even there (my dad used to hunt and kept them in a gun case). 

I think if you go through the necessary measures to make sure your kids can't get into them then its okay to have them.

HulaPie

I'm glad you brought this up because I hadn't even thought about it--and we have a gun in our house.  My husband and I like to go out in the desert with friends and shoot things up.  I've found it to be a great stress reliever and a fun day with friends. That being said, I have always kind of hated having the gun in our house.  I know, kind of hypocritical of me as my husband likes to remind me.  It is locked up in a gun safe now, and will have to be moved to a higher shelf in the closet for sure.  I am adding this to our list of things we need to both be on the same page about, and am going to bring up the topic this weekend. 

I agree with pp...it is all about education.  I was afraid of having a gun in the house, or even touching one, until I went to a firearms class.

ashleah83

I wouldn't ever have a gun - with or without children. I just don't see the point to be honest. If I were going to be worried about being murdered in my house, I think I would also be afraid of getting in a car.  I don't know the statistics but I'm guessing even in your area, the likelihood of death by vehicular accident is higher.

That being said if you and your husband want one, obviously just be sure to keep it locked up where kids can't ever get it or make sure they would never touch it.  The last thing in the world you would want is to be inadvertently responsible for any accidents.

ashleah83

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

Did you read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies???

ikissedthecook

ashleah83:

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

Did you read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies???

I've seen it in the bookstores, and I really almost bought it but decided at the last minute it would probably be stupid and put it down. Is it a decent read?

emma_stegall19

I also feel 100% okay with guns in the house, and kids. Me and Dh grew up with guns in the house. Dh comes from a big hunting family, so I wouldnt expect him to get rid of them. We are going to teach LO about guns, and safety. He will also be hunting with daddy at a young age. We have a gun cabinet in our room, it's locked at all times, and the amno is locked in a  different room in the house.

supermom83

Guns scare the living heck out of me. I grew up abroad where gun ownership is non-existent to civilians. Nobody owned or used guns at all. I have actually never even seen one in person. I do not feel safe at all around guns. They scare me so much and it's probably because of how I was raised. Guns in my eyes are for police men, and army men...not for me or my families hands. But I know that many people here in the US know plenty about gun safety and are responsible gun owners. But it still terrifies me. 

MH also never grew up around guns, both of us don't know how to use it, clean it or basically anything about proper gun ownership and we have no intention of learning or getting a gun ever, with or without kids.

 

supermom83

ashleah83:

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

Did you read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies???

I read that book about a year ago. It was surprisingly entertaining. Not the best book in the world but it was a fun quick read! 

ashleah83

ikissedthecook:

ashleah83:

luvbeingmom:

ikissedthecook:

However, I kind of like the idea of having a rifle or shot gun in the house, not so much for protection, but if we ever find ourselves in an apocolyptic type situation, we may need to hunt for food. I would want our family to have the tools neccessary to survive. I know that sounds completely outlandish and insane, but really, you never know.

exactly... i'd like to be prepared in zombie apocalypse or government take over 

 

Did you read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies???

I've seen it in the bookstores, and I really almost bought it but decided at the last minute it would probably be stupid and put it down. Is it a decent read?

It was silly but fun. I think if you like Pride & Prejudice you would like it, but if you don't it really is the same story.  Also I really liked The Other Boleyn Girl and Hunger Games but (don't all shoot me) I did not like Twilight.  If that gives you a sense of whether or not I have similar taste to you.

OctoberCAPA

I have no interest in owning a gun, and we live in a city where the crime rate is pretty high--not in our neighborhood or area per se, but nearby.  We have a security system and strong doors/locks, and that's all we'll ever have.  Neither DH nor I have ever been around guns, and even if we learned, I would be more afraid that our gun would end up being used against us.

I think gun safety is extremely important to teach children, whether they live in a gun-owning house or not.  You never know what will happen at a friend's house or where they'll come across a firearm.