[MineralMan]

"Example: Quite often I tell my son that I'm going to shoot him if he doesn't straighten up and fly right, but taking a gun and actually shoot him is not even in my mind."

Interesting. I remember when I said that about someone at about age 5. My father, a lifelong hunter, a WWII vet, and an avid collector of shotguns, took me aside and told me in no uncertain terms that I was never to use that particular threat unless I had a firearm in my hands and was prepared to use it.

Telling someone you're going to shoot them is not a good idea. It trivializes the action. Actually, threatening to kill someone in jest is a bad idea all around.

Do not threaten what you are not willing to carry out. That's what my Dad taught me.

[lilylangtree]

PC is making it impossible for kids to pretend to be a cowboy or cowgirl shooting the bad guys with our handy dandy six gun, or cops v. robbers. No wonder H'weirdo makes few westerns.

[Just another Joe]

Do not threaten what you are not willing to carry out. That's what my Dad taught me.

Your Dad sounds like a very wise man.
My father taught me the same thing.
I had my own 20 gauge shotgun and 13 shot .22 pump rifle at the age of 12 and have never shot anything I did not mean to shoot.