I've had similar issues with my gal, her family and my parents (still live at their house when home from college). They were not thrilled to have me get my carry permit (I was outside the sheriff's office before they opened on my 21st ) own an AR, construct a BOB, or have stored extra supplies around the house. I asked my girlfriend a year in advance and "discussed" an AR purchase with her for that year before she finally okayed it (I'm going to marry this girl and wanted us to be on the same page, please don't flame me), with a similar frame on the CCW. After I pointed out to her local and world wide issues (on a constant basis) where these items would become useful and necessary, she became okay with the idea, and now she can run my Glocks, revolvers and ARs like its nobody's business. I think for them it was the purpose that the didn't understand, and they judged the looks of the items (especially the ARs - yes, now plural!)

Similar experiences with the extra supplies and BOB, especially with the recent earthquake in Haiti. The BOB became a good idea after I had it with me (I take it when I leave college, won't do me any good if I'm in Denver and it's in Greeley) and a friend got a nasty cut on one of our outings. Fortunately, my BOB has a very well stocked med kit, and we were able to treat him well before getting him to medical attention. While not to say that my kit will fix everything, it was the experience of something bad happening and me having the ability and supplies to aid and remedy the situation that changed their mind.

While they may not run out and buy the latest gun or survival equipment, at least now they have an appreciation how they may come in useful at a bad time, and how that one emergency use more than outweighs the expense, used space, and inconvenience of "being (sufficiently) prepared."

Just my .02