Would you feel safer letting your child play in a house where you know there are guns or where there's a pool

Question

The statistics suggest that the pool is much more of a risk...but what is your comfort level?

Answer 1

A lot depends on the adults in the house and how carefully they secure their guns or their pool.

Answer 2

It depends on the situation. In the case of an above ground pool without a deck, I would feel just as safe as a house with a responsible gun owner. In the case of a in-ground pool I would feel very unsafe.

I was raised in a home with multiple guns and dangerous objects, but from a VERY young age I was taught not to touch them. Ever. If the guns are in a gun cabinet children would have difficulty getting in, so even with irresponsible people, I would feel safe. Also, it is more difficult to use many guns than some people believe. Pulling the trigger alone on some guns is difficult in itself on many guns, but there is also the matter of cocking (pulling back the hammer or using the pump) most guns.

An inground pool or above ground pool with a deck is horribly unsafe. Even with a fence, it is not difficult at all for many children to get into a pool and drown.

Answer 3

Absolutely not! If I'm present... that's a different story (though I don't like being around guns period. Stupid things can always happen). But I wouldn't (or I should say couldn't) trust anyone else to watch over my kid in that situation. Accidents happen all the time to the best of people. I would never forgive myself.
A pool is a different story. As long as the homeowner had a self closing latch gate and I was sure they were responsible enough to keep the children indoors... I may let my child go play there. Under no circumstances, would I allow my kid to go swimming without my presence... until they reach the age where I'm comfortable knowing they can handle themselves (with adult supervision).

Answer 4

All depended on to me a few things: age of the kid and the responsibility of the home owner. I wouldn't have a problem if it's a small kid and the parents kept the guns locked up away from kids and had a fence around the pool and supervised the kids in the pool!

Never understood why these statistics bounce around without a lot of thought behind them. My kids played around pools a lot growing up, but they were constantly supervised. Always had friends who owned guns--RESPONSIBLY. (Hunters, cops, that sort of thing.)

Answer 5

If the guns are not loaded and locked up properly, I would feel safer. Kids are attracted to water and they will find a way to get in that pool if they really want to.

Answer 6

Neither. But if I absolutely had to choose one......guns. But only if they are locked up properly. A pool is a tempting thing and if you have a motivated child, they will find a way in no matter how high the fence.

Answer 7

most gun owners know the dangers of what they have yet a large majority of pool owners don't realize the danger that they have sitting in their back yard. I'm more comfortable with a gun owner..... most are intelligent responsible people . while any yo- yo can set up a pool

Answer 8

Neither one really.I consider both to be a big hazard.I guess it matters what age your kids are .I had a pool growing up,but we didn't get it til I was 10 and if my mom knew half the stunts that me and my brothers performed she'd have a heart attack.On the other hand,I went to school with a girl who was 12 and she shot herself with her dad's handgun while dusting in her parents room.She lived but she'll always be scared.Both can be dangerous but I think it all comes down to knowing what your kids are up to and what they're exposed to.

Answer 9

Guns, at least the parents care enough to protect their family from bad guys

Answer 10

Honestly, it depends on how responsible the owners of the house are. Both can be very dangerous or very safe depending on the safety measures in place.