To Eric, I gave my nephew money to help with summer activities for the family because he has three teenagers living with him. I find it heartbreaking that he used the funds to purchase firearms for his children, including an AR-style rifle.
The guns are, as far as I can determine, only loosely secured.
Despite being experts and providing excellent care for their children, the parents are deeply enmeshed in the appeal of gun culture.
One of his children has serious mental health problems and has been admitted to the hospital, which worries me a lot. They occasionally share images of themselves with their faces painted to appear to be oozing blood, and they have experienced horrific fantasies.
I am so terrified that a period of mental tension could turn into something catastrophic. The states in which I reside are different. Do I need to notify anyone?
Anxious Family Member
Stories by
R. Eric Thomas
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To My Dear Relative: You should get in touch with your nephew and the local authorities if you are aware of a particular threat. Please use caution and discretion as it’s unclear from your message whether the dark imaginations are included in that group.
Make sure your nephew is aware of the posts if the child’s mental health is your primary concern. You should not treat mental health issues as a crime because they are not. Make making sure the child is in a safe setting your top priority.
I understand that it’s difficult to balance your generally favorable opinion of your nephew’s parenting with the presence of weapons in the house, but arguing won’t help anyone at this time. Also, proper gun ownership is not illegal. “Responsible” is the keyword. Ask specific questions and voice your concerns regarding the guns’ storage.
According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, about one-third of child gun deaths from suicide and unintentional gunshot injuries might be avoided with even small increases in the number of American homes that securely store firearms. Child Access Protection regulations, which set rules for keeping unattended firearms, especially in homes with children, are in place in several states. To find out if your nephew’s state has one, you can visit Giffords.org and discuss it with him.
For inquiries, contact R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com and follow him on Instagram.
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