I perfectly understand your concerns about having firearms in the house.
I feel the same way, in some respect.

My ex had a handgun in the house, though not loaded. Just the idea that it was there did provide a sense of security to some degree. However, I insisted that, if the gun was to be kept inside within a "reactive" reach, then we all need to go to the shooting range to not only understand its value, but to obtain a respect of the danger of the weapon itself by learning how to use it properly.

Maybe you can also try this approach as it can provide you all a better understanding and respect of its purpose?

Just a thought.

Shangrala