Would you let your small child play over at the house of a family who...?

Question

kept guns in their home? Do you ever ask the parents this beforehand?

Answer 1

As awkward as it is, I always ask parents of my kids' friends if there are any guns in the house. I am always talking to my kids about guns and how to handle a situation if they come across one. My daughter's best friend's dad is a state trooper, so he has to have a gun for his job. I actually went over there the first time they played and saw how he stores his gun. (I am now also friends with the mother.) 90% of the time that they play there, he is at work. They are always supervised there whether or not he (and his gun) are home. My son plays with a neighbor boy whose parents have a rifle for hunting. They always prefer to play outside, and they are always in view of both our houses. My biggest thing is that there are going to be houses that have guns, whether the owners admit to it or not. And I don't believe any safe or height is child proof. I know the parent's of the kids that my kids play with and they know how strongly I feel about guns, and how much I am against them. They all have small children and are very cautious also. I think the most important thing you can do is talk with your children about the reality of guns, that they are not toys and can cause a lot of pain! And keep talking to them about it. Let them know you are serious when you mean don't play with guns, don't even touch them. The same thing goes with knives, and everyone has knives in their kitchens. I think it's important that you talk to the kids' parents, even if you feel silly, so they know how you feel. Ask where they keep guns, if any. And talk to your kids about it. If you ever feel uncomfortable with your child playing there, like they aren't being supervised well enough, then go with your gut and don't worry about hurting feelings. Your child's life is more important!

Answer 2

I wouldn't be comfortable letting my child go to a house with unsecured guns, but if they were locked up I would allow it if I felt the parents in the home were responsible and trusted them to keep an eye on my kid. Very small children shouldn't be playing out of an adult's eyesight anyway, and when my child is old enough to play unsupervised, I'll have taught her not to touch a gun even if she found one. My dad had a gun for protection the entire time I was growing up, and even though I knew where it was, I never touched it once. I was told not to, and unlike a lot of kids these days, I listened to my parents. I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping a gun in your home to protect yourself and your family in the event of a break-in. Not too mention, my best friend's husband is a cop, and I'm not going to refuse to allow my daughter to play over there with her kids just because her husband is required to bring his gun into the house (he can't leave it in his car or anything like that). He keeps it in a lockbox, and I trust him and my friend to be responsible.

Answer 3

no i wouldn't and i would tell them as well.You hear of so many accidents about kids with guns.mom is cooking dinner and the kids r playing they decide to check out what mom n dad r hiding in there closet and well u no whats next.my kids r still young and the first thing i do with the kids that mine hang out with is meet the parents invite yourself over to their house to see how they live and then invite them for a tea in conversation ask about weapons and how they feel and you have basically asked without asking cause if they have guns most likely they will say so anyway i hope i helped a little.good luck

Answer 4

i would really have to know the parents and know that they are very responsible with the guns and lock them up. its not something that i think of to ask before i would let my child play at the house, but i think it is a very good thing to know. if i didnt really know the parents i wouldnt let my child play at their house.

Answer 5

if i knew that there were guns in the house i would in a tasteful way let them know that i am aware of the guns and tell them for the safety of my child i would just like to know if they keep the guns and ammunition secured under lock and key , then i would make my decision based on what they tell me and based on what i see , remember seeing is believing.

Answer 6

If you knew that the parents would provide excellent supervision, then yes it is safe. You also need to know that the guns are locked away. Not all gun owners are irresponsible, even if they do have kids. Best of luck.

Answer 7

There are always a list of questions that you should ask before leaving your child anywhere, asking if there are any weapons is one of those questions, are they locked and secured is the next. You would be surprised how many people keep weapons unsecured in their homes.... asking these questions gives you freedom of choice. I would not allow my child to play in a home with unsecure weapons of any type

Answer 8

Never. That is extremely irresponsible. Just because they are hidden away or locked up doesn't mean a couple determined children couldn't get into them. I will never let my children in a home where I know there are guns.

Answer 9

I would never allow it. My husband has a pellet gun, but won't put it out of sight of our 4 year old. I hate guns and what they represent at the best of times. You hear too many stories of children playing with them and killing themselves, a friend or a sibling.

Answer 10

if there are guns in the home than my children cannot play there. the other kids can come over here if they want to.