I think Sam should have told his father about the gun, instead of re-hidding it because it goes against everything his father stands for. Having a gun could incriminate him or get him hurt or killed if anyone sees that he has it. Sam should side with his father not the panthers because nonviolence is better than the panthers activities and he will be safe(er.) let it be noted that pacifism is not protection, and even innocent bystanders where killed by police brutality/racist buttheads during the civil rights era. (Medgar Evers, a peaceful civill rights activist, was gunned down in his driveway, and a bomb was exploded inside the 16th baptist church in birmingham killing four children) even though the gun increased the likelihood of Sam or Stick being killed or injured they were already vulnerable.