I think my wife, being from Maine understands the situation. She owned a gun before I met her, and her father taught her how to use it. I am not as worried about her. I think she understands all the measures we have taken to deal with what's coming. Here in Maine we're on the edge of things anyway, so guns are not so much weapons as tools. We shoot squirrels to keep them from taking over the house for example.

It's not so civilized here as in other places. I talked to a friend who lives outside of Boston in a nice suburb and he told me that they never lock their doors. Then I realized that he lived in a community ringed by cops. Leaving the door unlocked was not such a big thing, because there was a ring of defense around the whole neighborhood. Here we don't have that. The cops are overwhelmed. We have to guard our own stuff pretty much.

We just got ADT security at home, which I consider a good investment. That way I don't have to shoot anyone. They ran away after stealing a couple of chainsaws at a store nearby, so it works. At my maple sugarhouse we have have plate steel on the door, a bulletproof box to protect the evaporator and lexan on the windows. We have 2 camera systems to catch people who may want to do harm to our operation. After 6 attacks we finally wised up and decided to do what was neccesary to protect our business.

Sometimes I wish we lived in some place where all this is unneccesary, but we don't, so I guess this is the price we pay for living on the edge. I also think we are more prepared for what's coming than others, so maybe that's a good thing. My wife has had her car stolen or vandalized 3 times and been around when people tried to attack us, so she is aware of how it is.

We're sadder but wiser in Central Maine. C'est la vie.

when i inherited my dad's guns i went to the police station to get a gun license to legally own them... the cops were Very relieved i had them. i was 24... and living alone at the time in the middle of the woods. i told them they should spread word i'm a gun nut who's not quite right in the head. they laughed. (cause i'm really not... well.. ok im a bit loony).

i'm not sure if my lack of confidense with guns has much to do with being a female (would dad have taught me more than just basic safety if i had been a boy child? i dunno) so much as just not knowing as much as i think i should before weilding a tool that can take life.

what helps is learning about them and practice. asking questions. i still get a little irrational fear of "what if something goes wrong?" when i shoot, but i try to put it towards being safe and focused on what i'm doing.

its hard to get over that kind of fear. knowing other men and women who do just fine with firearms is a good start.

if someone is just Way too upset by even the idea of using a gun, martial arts could be something instead. basic self defense. it's a compromise, but i've used basic self defense moves in nasty situations before, and havent needed a gun yet. (hope it never comes to it... but... doom.)

Leave her alone! You are wasting your time and endangering your relationship.

You can (maybe) guilt her into handling and shooting a gun at the range, but there is absolutely no possibility that she is ever going to 'use' a gun to protect herself or her child.

Years ago, when living in an apartment, a neighbor woman was pounding on our door and screaming for help at 3 AM.
She said someone was trying to break into her bedroom window.
She stayed with my wife while I went to check her apartment.
The screen was off the window and leaning against the building, so probably there had been someone there, but the window was closed and locked.
I turned to leave the room and saw a 12 gauge pump leaning against the bed's headboard.
Upon inspection I found it loaded, one in the chamber, and the safety off.
All the lady had to do was pick it up, point, and pull the trigger. She chose to scream and run.

You can't change people into what you want them to be. You can't train a rabbit to be a doberman.

Your wife may not be as upset that you have a gun when you have to use it. I hate the whole idea of having to own a gun. I am not a fan of the NRA. I dislike all those people who try to bully others into having a gun. I am just saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When someone breaks into my house I am not going to have a philosophical discussion. I am going to yell "get out". If they don't comply I am going to have to use something to convince them to get out. If the cops could get there in time I wouldn't own a gun.