Joe said:
For everyone who made comments about guns and insinuated violence along with it, know it wouldn't be uncommon for a teenager with any wits about him would quit dating your daughter just to avoid you.
Really? Apparently you are assuming that each one of us is a one-dimensional person. There might be more to our character and personalities than you may assume.
Telling him you own a gun collection...
And what's wrong with that? Actually, I'd show him my gun collection. It would be a good way to break the ice and have a good conversation that's not based around my daughter. I'm sure there are a lot of people in California who assume that anyone who has firearms and is not embarrassed about having them is some sort of nut. In Texas, a large portion of the population owns firearms and many people legally carry weapons. I haven't checked, but I'm guessing our crime rate is far lower than California's.
...and go shooting often...
I often talk to friends about firearms and shooting. It's part of my life and one of my hobbies. And a sign of friendship with me is when I ask someone if they want to go to the gun range. Sounds like you have an anti-gun stance or at least automatically associate them with violence.
...polishing guns before Prom Night etc...
In the context in which it was presented, it was more of a joke than a threat. I'm guessing everyone involved knows that.
Welcome to my "nutty" life.
I asked our 17 year old to read a few of these posts. I was curious of how he would handle it. Told him there was no right or wrong.
Well, you raised your child so it should be no surprise that they understand your perspective.
Surprisingly, he said he would meet with the father prior, take the girl out on a date, but likely never ask her out again. He would fulfill his commitment to her but not extend himself further. I hoped he would have said he would have refrained all together, and told the girl why. But this is fine.
And that's fine with me too. (Of course I doubt I would have made the kind of cartoonish and violent impression you seem to imagine.) I'm also guessing that you or your family do not own a firearm and don't have much experience with them. I don't say that to belittle you (there's nothing wrong with not having a firearm), but as a way of trying to understand your position.
The teenage boys who come to your home are also children. Parents have a responsibility to BOTH parties to ensure BOTH make good decisions.
Absolutely.
Parental involvement should be plenty to deter rapists, and overly aggresive teens.
Should be, but often it is not. I've known way too many teens over the years to simply assume that everything will be fine. I've also known a shocking number of young women I grew up with (from church families with very involved parents) who have confessed to me that they were raped by other church kids when they were teens.
Tell the boys directly to their faces there will be no hanky panky allowed.
It's fine to say it... that will stop some. The knowledge that the girl's father is prepared to use strong measures, including force, to look after his daughter will deter a few more. There are a small number of boys who will not be deterred.
Then move on, turn the conversation into something more positive.
In my scenario, the conversation will be very positive. I'll look for an opportunity to befriend the young man.
Set a few rules such as tell your teenagers to never to accept a drink from anyone they did not see pour the drink. Always be present or get the drink themselves because a drug could be slipped into it (such as Ecstacy)
Yep.
Also, most teens in our son's high school own a cell phone. Tell the teen girls NOT to use their cell phones to take pics of their "bare" bodies then share them with their boyfriends/girlfriends.
Um... I believe my hypothetical daughter would have more sense. We would have long talks about safety and privacy on the internet and the digital age of communications.
Parents if you deter the good suitors, then only the "roughies" whom can handle your passive aggressive games will be left. Roughies are not the type of boys you want around your girls.
Don't know how to categorize the "roughies", but anyone who dates my children (both genders) will need to meet the parents first. My wife and I are actually quite charming people. Potential suitors will also know we are not people to be trifled with. We are people of substance, depth and action. We will not be passive if they decide to abuse our trust or harm the family. Most of all, our children will know they are loved passionately, and we will give them quite a bit of freedom if they demonstrate responsibility.