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I (and I suspect others) didn't take issue with all her advice. Talking to her husband who, presumably, would reasonably allay her fears is good advice. Telling her to get some practice, also good advice. But telling her that it is normal to have an irrational fear of guns (as opposed to a hundred other more dangerous items in and out of the home), suggesting that her husband bought the gun to "fit in", and ultimately saying it's ok for her fear to veto her husband are all extremely stupid.

There's nothing wrong with critizing people who give bad advice, even if it's due to an unintentional ignorant bias.

I would say that it is quite normal and even smart to be afraid of any dangerous weapon that could kill you or a member of your family.

It's reasonable to surrender to a phobia, but only if it's a firearm. A kitchen knife or a SUV could kill you, but fearing those would be silly.

It could even make for a very unpleasant situation should the victim be a predator in your yard and you have to see it dispatched.

A predator in the yard dispatched by the gun is a VICTIM of gun violence.

There is almost no upside to having a gun if you aren't a gun lover, and you shouldn't have to live with this creepy feeling indefinitely.

If you aren't a GUN LOVER, then guns are a BAD THING. Your phobia is healthy, in fact, I'm willing to reinforce it for you so you are even more fearful.

That said, I think you need to sit down with your husband and discuss all this. He needs to be able to tell you how he feels about having -- and possibly using -- the gun. Did he buy the gun mainly to minimize discord in the new neighborhood -- in other words, to fit in?

Is your husband weak minded? Does he feel the need to buy into the GUN CULTURE so his neighbors don't look down on him? Make him explain to you why he feels the need to have a lethal weapon in the home when you are so terrified.

Does he have any background or training in gun use and gun safety? Was he ever in the military? And do you agree that you really need it?If so, take some lessons and do some skeet shooting so that you can gain some mastery and lessen your fears. Keep the gun locked up, of course, and keep that fear at a healthy level. After all, they are deadly.

Your phobia is healthy, just so long as it's aimed at guns

If you still feel terrified after taking these steps, I suggest that you surrender your weapon.

And back to my original post.

She's feeding this womans fear of guns due to her own fear. A gun is not sentient object capable of action and as such is no more dangerous than any other machine. Fear of a firearm is no more reasonable than fearing your hedge clippers.