"Uh, hi operator, we had a policeman come to school today with a poster about illegal guns, you know, machine guns and assault rifles and stuff.... and well... my daddy has one of those long black rifles with the handle thing on top. He has it hidden up in the attic of the garage, I saw him put it there last year. And I know how dangerous they are, and I don't want to see him get in trouble, so....
"Don't worry son, we have police units on the way to... help you. You did the right thing."
I would not rat on a family member for anything short of child molestation or child murder or treason or some Ted Kazinski type terrorism.
Ratting on irresponsible "hippie" dad over growing dope was foolish. As foolish as dad growing dope around his kids.
Down here in the pot growing areas of TN ...a 17 year old boy is likely to be partners with dad in the family pot farm and sharing in the profits. Seriously. Pot Growers and Dog Fighting/Cock Fighting are "family enterprises" around these parts. Any snitching on these country clans over this stuff is dangerous.