If we were friends with the family, had seen their storage setup ourselves, and they were just hunting rifles... maybe. A huge no to handguns, no matter who the people are.
Post by mandapanda18 on Mar 4, 2016 16:15:44 GMT -5
Yes. My H hunts, his guns are taken apart and locked in a safe in our closet, with the ammunition locked in a separate safe/location. My kid couldn't get into either place if he tried (key and digital code on each safe).
Dd is at a friends house right now and they definitely have guns. The guns are all locked up with fingerprint scan locks and in a locked closet. I'm not worried.
ETA: I've been to the house many times, though, and know the parents well.
I'm going to be a dissenting voice and say no I would not let my young child play at house with guns particularly if I didn't know the family well.
Research has shown the NO amount of training or conversations impacts whether young child will play with a gun. Chances are if a child finds a gun they are going to touch it. Without knowing the family more you really can't say for sure how strictly they adhere to gun safety.
Post by mainelyfoolish on Mar 4, 2016 18:25:41 GMT -5
If I didn't allow my kid to go to a play date at a house simply because someone at the home owns a gun, it would eliminate at least half of their playmates between hunters, LEOs, and hobbyists. My DH falls into the last category; he used to go shooting at a range and he still owns a rifle and a pistol. The guns are unloaded, ammo stored separately, trigger locked, and kept on a high shelf in a locked. detached garage that the kids do not have access to without a parent.
I have no problem at all if someone asks me if we have guns and if they are properly secured, and I would not allow my child to attend a play date if I knew there was a gun on the premises "for protection." To eliminate my child as a playmate because my DH happens to still own guns (he hasn't even used them for 10+ years) seems extreme.
The gun thing doesn't bother me, but I if I don't know the family well than I will stay during the play-date or make other arrangements.
I totally agree with this. We have guns (DH is law enforcement) and they're securely locked away. I wouldn't want to leave my kid at a stranger's house. I would do like a pp said and suggest chatting/coffee during the play date.
Post by closertofine on Mar 4, 2016 20:28:29 GMT -5
The guns don't bother me in this instance, but I wouldn't hesitate to say I'd like to stay. I need to spend time with someone before leaving my kid there.
I'm going to be a dissenting voice and say no I would not let my young child play at house with guns particularly if I didn't know the family well.
Research has shown the NO amount of training or conversations impacts whether young child will play with a gun. Chances are if a child finds a gun they are going to touch it. Without knowing the family more you really can't say for sure how strictly they adhere to gun safety.
And everyone says they are locked away, unloaded, ammo elsewhere, etc.
I will say, as someone with guns in the house, it would not bother me at all if a parent asked to see where/how we store them. So if that would make you more comfortable, I might suggest that.
I completely agree with this. We have several guns in our house and all of them are stored in a completely safe manner. I'd be more than happy to show anyone where they are and how they are stored -- and that the kids would not be playing in an area anywhere near where the guns are stored.
Yes. I teach my children safety and the gun is not going to load itself and go on a shooting rampage.
Seriously? Accidental shootings happen all the time. Teaching safety only goes so far. But go ahead and bury your head in the sand while riding your high horse.
Last Edit: Mar 5, 2016 15:04:42 GMT -5 by bugandbibs
share.memebox.com/x/uKhKaZmemebox referal code for 20% off! DD1 "J" born 3/2003 DD2 "G" born 4/2011 DS is here! "H" born 2/2014 m/c#3 1-13-13 @ 9 weeks m/c#2 11-11-12 @ 5w2d I am an extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, pro marriage equality, birth control lovin', Catholic mama.
No. If I knew the family and had seen how everything was stored I would feel better. I think I would do a play date where I came and got to know the family and could see the set up I would allow it in the future.
1yeartogo, my heart almost stopped after reading about your nephew. How scary!
I would allow my kids to go but I may stay at the house a bit and ask to see where they're kept.
Oh yes...it happened a year ago and my sister was actually at the party with him but said all the parents were talking and just letting the kids run around and be wild. She actually went into the upstairs bedroom since my nephew called her up she then took the gun from them (several boys in the room) and proceeded to raise hell with the parents. She didn't find out until later that the kid whose birthday it was actually aimed it at nephew and fired...nephew said "mom I knew it wasn't loaded because when he clicked it nothing happened" cue the heart stop. I have been very concerned about guns in homes ever since...
Post by whitepicketfence on Mar 5, 2016 16:56:59 GMT -5
We have several guns for hunting & such in our own home so I'd be a hypocrite if I said no. As long as they're all locked up appropriately, I'm ok with it. We live in a rural area and hunting is a big deal out here. I guess I just sort of assume everyone here has them.
ETA: We have a gun safe that requires handprint authentication to open. It's set up for DH so even I couldn't get into the safe if I wanted to.
I would have serious concerns but I live in Canada where, like, no one has a gun.
God. I love Canada. Not even joking.
This is why I have serious reservations about potentially moving to the US. I know it's probably better for my H's career, but I don't think I want to live somewhere where I have to ask if there's a gun in the house every time my daughter wants a play date.
Yes. Otherwise my kids will never be allowed in anyone's house. Hunting is big around here. Everyone and their cousin has a rifle...except us. Eta: Canada, so no handgun concerns.
The gun wouldn't deter me as much as not knowing them. I'd stay at least for awhile. We have a gun, my kids have no idea we even own one. It's not for hunting or protection from intruder per se even. It's in a safe and the ammo is not in our house. If someone asked, I'd tell them.