A Las Vegas family was split apart after the Department of Family Services decided a pair of concealed carrying foster parents weren’t fit to be around children.

Kristi and Rod Beber have parented “over a hundred” children throughout their years as foster parents, and they’ve also always kept a gun in the house. On April 3 they awoke to screaming on their property. Kristi called 9-1-1; Rod grabbed his handgun. No shots were fired, but the DFS later determined that Kristi and Rod were unfit parents and took away their three foster children.

“Let me tell you something, my hands were shaking,” said Kristi, recounting the incident. “I’m calling 9-1-1.”

“You want to protect your family and your house,” said Rod. “As a [concealed carry license] holder, one of the first things you want to do is take control of the situation.”

Local police arrived and quickly diffused the situation. Rod never used his handgun, but when DFS reviewed the police reports they revoked their foster license, determining “the incident did not describe and adult exercising sound judgment.”

“I said, ‘Don’t make me drop them off a the Child Haven,” said Kristi. “If you’re going to revoke me, revoke me, but don’t make me drop those kids off at Child Haven.”

At the time of the DFS’ decision, the law dictated that foster parents were not allowed to have a loaded firearm in the home for any reason. However, shortly after the incident the laws changed and now the Bebers are fighting to get their foster license reinstated.

“He said, ‘You know what, Kris, we’re not going to close [this case]. This isn’t right, we’re not going to let this happen.’”

(This article was a submission from freelance writer Brent Rogers)