Have you ever asked another parent: Is there a gun in the house?

[underdog]

I live near Denver and saw this on a local news station web site this morning.  Here is the link:  http://denver.momslikeme.com/members/pollactions.aspx?g=1133972&m=13673085.  I am curious to see what other people think about this.  My son isn't old enough to sleep over at anyone else's house yet but I know that when he is, he won't go to someone's house that I don't know and most importantly I will teach him what to do if he finds a gun or if another child finds a gun.  What would you do if another parent asked you this question?

[ericire12]

What would you do if another parent asked you this question?

To answer your question, and the thread title question, I have to first say that I dont advertise my gun ownership. Aside from family and close friends people dont know that I own/carry guns. So, they would have to ask if they ever really wanted to find out, and I have never been asked. My answer would be short and to the point: "Yes, I do. And they are all locked up" (They are).

I have two small kids. I personally have never asked another parent other then family members who own guns, and that goes along the lines of "I know you usually just leave the gun in the night stand, but is it put up someplace they cant get to?"

I personally believe that the best defense is an informed child who understands the danger of guns and knows not to touch one if they are not sure if it is a toy or not.... as well as to go tell an adult if they ever find a gun or if another kid wants to show them their dad's gun or something. You also have to make it a point to satisfy their curiosity ahead of time so that they are not tempted when presented with those situations. I have sat down with my kids with an UNLOADED firearm on several occasions and just let them explore. Let them hold it until their heart is content and eventually they will just get bored and want to move on to something else. At that point its also important to emphasis the gun rules again and let them know that anytime they want to see daddy's guns I will be happy to let them. By the time kids are at the age where they are going over to other peoples houses they are old enough to fully understand the ground rules that you are laying out for them, as well as understand how dangerous guns can be.

My kids have a firm grasp on things. Would I let them anywhere near having access to a loaded gun right now? HELL NO! But my greater concern with letting a kid be unattended at a neighbor's/friend's house is the people whose house they are at and not if they have guns or not. You can't un-molest a child. My greater concern for my kids is keeping them away from predators.

[underdog]

Good points.  I agree!  It was interesting to see what some of the mom's replied on the original site.  There definitely seems to be a level of fear and misunderstanding there.

I think you have a good idea to let your kids actually hold the unloaded firearm.  My 18 month old watches shooting gallery with me and gets super excited when he sees me cleaning or transporting a gun.  The interest is definitely there.  He may be too young to hold one now but I will probably do that with him as he gets older.  Thanks for the idea.

[alfsauve]

While this is metro Atlanta, still I'm in Republican East Cobb Country (think Kennesaw, GA) and it would be abnormal for someone not to have a gun.  So the question isn't asked out here in the suburbs.   In-town it might be different.

I take a different tact on gun ownership.   I don't "push" it on my friends, co-workers and acquaintances, but I also don't keep it a secret.   If I got a good deal or had a good day at the range, I tell them.  (They all knew I was going to pick up my 1911 with new sights today.)   It's part of me, part of my life and I'll share it just as naturally as I share about my favorite TV program.   Some just nod and say that's nice, but other are more interested.   My desire is that the general public, in as much as the part of that public surrounding me, will look upon gun ownership as something normal, everyday, fun, patriotic and desirable.

Our response (and my wife and I have talked about this) is, "Why yes, I'm an active shooter. I compete in matches and I teach individuals, as well as the Boy Scouts, safe shooting.   If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to take your kids to the range some weekend.   Hey and if you or your husband would like to shoot, I go to the range just about every Friday and would love the company."

[Hazcat]

Never have.  Taught the kid that if he sees one no big deal BUT if someone he doesn't know and trust puts his hands on one then it's time to leave.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I more like Eric and Alf, Every one who knows me knows that I'm interested in all aspects of fire arms, Shooting, manufacturing, and history. I have asked if they were out of reach, never needed to ask if they have any.
If I hang out with them, they either had them in the past, currently have them, or want to get them, and people I knew well were the only ones I let my kids stay with.  

[ericire12]

It was interesting to see what some of the mom's replied on the original site.  There definitely seems to be a level of fear and misunderstanding there.

Yeah, also if you read some of the comments and the poll results over at the link you will see that there really is an underlying irrational fear. "If I have to ask then I wouldn't allow my kid to spend the night" Come on. Thats just plain retarded. None of those idiots are worried about sending their kids over to a house that has a pool. And none of them are asking about driving records or DUI convictions before letting their kids go to carpool.

And What if they say there are no guns in the house? Does that really mean that there really are no guns in the house? Person could be lying to ya. What if they said Yes, but they are put up where kids cant get to them? What does that really mean -sock drawer? Or what if they do keep them in a safe..... doesnt mean they do it 100% of the time. Come on. The whole idea of blindly trusting your kid's life to what a neighbor says or does not say is just dumb. The big problem is that parents are not talking to their kids about the danger of guns. A generation ago loaded guns were kept in the night stand and behind the bedroom door and nobody was shooting themselves. Now, parents avoid the subject and curiosity and lack of knowledge gets kids killed. The only way to keep a kid anywhere close to safe is to educate them on the dangers of guns and proper firearm safety. You want them to respect guns?... here is an idea... take them shooting. Let them see how loud they are... let them see a milk jug full of water explode when the bullet hits it. But those liberal soccer moms are never gonna do anything like that.

I think you have a good idea to let your kids actually hold the unloaded firearm.  My 18 month old watches shooting gallery with me and gets super excited when he sees me cleaning or transporting a gun.  The interest is definitely there.  He may be too young to hold one now but I will probably do that with him as he gets older.  Thanks for the idea.

It works great. Just make sure you sit with them until it becomes boring and they are not interested anymore. You have to make sure you dont leave them wanting more. And be sure to tell them that you are willing to do so again anytime they want. That way the whole alure of guns kinda diminishes and they know they can touch a gun anytime they want to. Its also a good way to start to teach basic firearm safety. I have also started my 4 year old on a BB gun this summer and he has a very healthy respect for that so I am pretty confident he gets it about the dangers of guns. I want him to grow up around guns and to learn to shoot, but its also a time when I can point out when he is breaking the rules of safety and give instant feedback.

[tombogan03884]

It works great. Just make sure you sit with them until it becomes boring and they are not interested anymore. You have to make sure you dont leave them wanting more. And be sure to tell them that you are willing to do so again anytime they want. That way the whole alure of guns kinda diminishes and they know they can touch a gun anytime they want to. Its also a good way to teach basic firearm safety. I have also started my 4 year old on a BB gun this summer and he has a very healthy respect for that so I am pretty confident he gets it about the dangers of guns. I want him to grow up around guns and to learn to shoot, but its also a time when I can point out when he is breaking the rules of safety and give instant feedback.

Kathy Jackson, over at www.corneredcat.com is a vocal advocate of exactly what Eric is saying, take the mystery out of them, and the temptation of "forbidden fruit" is removed.

[ericire12]

Kathy Jackson, over at www.corneredcat.com is a vocal advocate of exactly what Eric is saying, take the mystery out of them, and the temptation of "forbidden fruit" is removed.

Thats a great read, and its pretty much exactly the approach you should take:
http://www.corneredcat.com/Kids/firstlesson.aspx
http://www.corneredcat.com/Kids/disarming.aspx


BTW - I would also recomend that if you have small kids and you keep defensive guns in the house that you buy a pistol safe. It keeps little hands off, and allows you to have near instant access for defense. Gun Vault is the cream of the crop, but I have been very happy with my $70 Stack On ones.
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=4000.msg61773#msg61773

[r_w]

My kids do NOT stay over, period.  My wife had an abuse incident growing up, and we know enough people that did as well that it just doesn't happen.  Guns are the least of our concerns.