When I met my wife, almost 20 years ago, she was very anti-guns in the house. It wasn't a biggest enough issue for me to fight her over it, so no guns. As my oldest son started growing up, I asked if we could get him a .22 rifle for xmas one year. My main point was education over isolation. She relented, with certain conditions. That was 8 or 9 years ago. He went on to win a shotgun through boyscouts (Second gun in the house) and allowed me to get a rifle and muzzleloader for hunting. A few years after that, I bought my first pistol, to plink with. A M&P.22 FS. Much fun was had and when a good friend of mine said he was going for his CCDW, I went, and took the only pistol I had, the .22. Shortly after getting my CCDW, I was allowed to buy my shield, which I love.
I carry every day. I don't know if she notices or cares, because she never mentions it now. There have been a few times, when out with her, she's whispered "You do have your gun, right?" and I just nod slightly and give her the "Of course" look.
I've tried to get her into shooting and she's shot a few times with us. She prefers the .22 and I can't blame her. I have yet to see somebody shoot that gun that doesn't turn around after emptying the magazine, with a smile on their face.
All my kids now know proper gun safety. They can field strip and clean and reassemble both my pistols, and they enjoy shooting out back. My oldest son is generally the range master when we're shooting with the younger kids (Youngest is 15 this year and he is 21, almost 22 now). I feel comfortable that any of them can defend themselves and our home.
Side note, My youngest daughters (the 15yo) friend have seen me carry because I open carry around the home and our 5.5 acres. Apparently, word has gotten around her school so I hear a lot of boys are afraid to talk to her. I'm okay with that...Side benefits for the win.
