Originally Posted by
foxtrot
General rule of thumb. Don't talk politics with family. Extends to religion, and things like firearms. If she said "please don't" I'd have asked "why?" and left it at that, no elaboration, and I'd have never said I wouldn't. Then I would have taken him shooting and told him not to mention it to his mother.
Sometimes you don't know peoples backgrounds. It's better to let things go and not cause family rifts that bring up stuff... you will never change their minds anyway.
I'll give you an example: My uncle was talking to me once about how CCW guys just walk around with an attitude looking for trouble and someone to kill. I just said a generic "huh" and let him keep going. I was CCW'ing at that moment, he doesn't even know I have guns [LOL]
*but* his son committed suicide with a handgun when I was 2 years old. I don't remember it, but he sure does. Do you think his negative opinion of firearms is justified? Does he not have a valid reason to vent about them & is it my place to bitch slap him over it? I just politely ignore it, and let family stay family.
ETA) Correction, I was three years old, and I DO remember the funeral. It's my earliest memory, overheard some stuff, asked my dad how he shot himself. My dad told me he was spinning a gun like a cowboy and it went off. How do you explain suicide to a 3 year old? Tell you what though, I don't call him out on his firearm P.O.V. It's the wrong opinion to have, but he is personally justified to have his opinion.
