I've been babysitting two little girls (ages 2 and 4) twice a week for almost a year now. A couple months ago I was moving the couch to get a toy that had fallen under and I found a shotgun. I quickly pushed the couch back, but didn't worry about it because it was inaccessable to the children. Today, however I was looking for a missing pacifier and opened a drawer in the parents bedside table (the little one likes to hide things). Inside the drawer was a handgun. I quickly shut the drawer and pulled the kids out of the room. I understand these are for protection and have no problem with guns in the house, but I know that it is very dangerous to have loaded weapons where a child could get them.The video games are hooked up to the tv in the parents room, and I had no problem leaving them to grab a diaper, sippy cup etc. but now I am really worried. It would only take a moment for either to find the gun and accidentally use it. Should I have been told? Or is this none of my business?
2006-11-09 15:37:58 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Wow! Glad to know I'm being backed up on this. I think I'll ask the parents about it tomorrow morning.
Got_A_?:lol, I'm not saying I haven't looked through medicine cabinets (who doesn't)
2006-11-09 17:12:05 · update #1
Some states have laws that require guns to be locked if children have any chance of getting to them. They could loose a child and go to jail all in the same day because a gun wasn't locked.
To avoid any stigma of "snooping" you could mention to the people that you heard that homes with children are required to have all guns locked. Then tell them, "I certainly hope if you have any guns in the house they are put away where children can't get at them." They should take the hint and put them away. Children learn how to fire guns by watching television. Take no chances. If the guns are still there the next day or two, tell them you moved the couch to find a toy and found a shotgun instead. Let them know you are not happy with that. You may have to find a new job but at least you won't have to be there if one of those kids accidentally blows someone away.......
2006-11-09 18:07:44 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny B Goode 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First and foremost, if there are children of any age in that house the guns should be locked up, period. It is completely irresponsible and reckless for those parents to leave the guns where a child could get a hold of one, and both of the locations you described sound very accessible, I don't care what you say, sorry. Secondly, yes they should have told you for you own safety. What if you walked out of the room for a moment and the child found the gun and then you walk back into a big shock like a gun in a child's hand. It's their right to have the guns, but they need to be more responsible and lock those suckers up, then no one would have to worry about it.
2006-11-09 18:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by disneychick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely!! You should have been told that they are in the house, not only for your protection (so you don't stumble across one, or in case you had to use one- depending on your age), but for the protection of the children! Even if the parents don't tell the children there is a gun in the house, you should be privy to that information in order to keep the children out of areas where the guns are stored. How can you protect them from getting into them if you don't know it's there? As their protector, in the absence of their parents, you need to know about weapons in the house. Talk to the parents about this incident... discuss your feelings and concerns.
2006-11-10 08:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100% you should have been told, you should know exactly where all of them are. I doubt that they are loaded especially since the kids live in the house but they should be locked up at all times. You should speak to the parents about this and simply explain that you are nervous sitting with the guns so accessible. No excusses you said there was a shotgun under the couch and that you werent worried because it wasnt accessable to the children ITS UNDER THE COUCH NOT IN A LOCKED FIRESAFE GUN SAFE!!! Kids can easily get under a couch
2006-11-09 16:16:48 · answer #4 · answered by Brandi D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you should definitely have been told! How else are you supposed to protect their children properly! You wouldn't leave them in the room with a filled bath, because you know that's dangerous. You should be told about other dangers in the house. They would have told you about dangerous dogs, or broken stairs, but they didn't think ot warn you about the guns. I'd raise the issue, by just letting them know that you'd like to be able to keep their children safe, so you wondered if there were any rooms that should be out of bounds because of guns?
In Australia we have much tighter gun laws, and guns have to be kept in secured lockers with the ammunition kept in another, seperate secured place. It's amazing the dangers that people can just get used to and overlook.
2006-11-09 15:51:11 · answer #5 · answered by Jess B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely tell them you found them. It's a very real safety concern. (Although why were you really in the drawer in the parents room) You may not want to sit there any longer. I would hate to be the one that was there if those kids ever find the guns. Oh yeah, hey NRA here's a great example of why I fight you so hard.
2006-11-09 16:06:34 · answer #6 · answered by i have no idea 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ANY guns in ANY home should be LOCKED up at the very least. You may THINK the children can't get to the guns in the drawers or under the couch but you're only fooling yourself. Children can find and get to anything they have in mind. I know I wouldn't be babysitting there any longer, I'd probably call CPS too, they are putting their children's lives on the line.
2006-11-09 15:59:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd say something...gun loaded or not?! Does THAT matter?! SHouldn't be where the child can get a hold of it...PERIOD!! That one person saying..if it isn't loaded..don't worry?! IS she on dope!? A gun is a gun!!! ANd in the hands of the child...say one gun IS loaded and one is NOT ~ should the child move the safety?! My gosh!! PLEASE for your piece of mind...and the value of your life..mention it to the mother or father and say...YA know...found a gun..in a drawer...can it be put higher up at least?! ON top of the fridge or in a top dresser drawer..where a child CAN'T easily reach..
2006-11-09 23:18:03 · answer #8 · answered by just me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should be told. It's a danger to your safety if your not told.
I think you should tell the parents, for safety reasons.
Tell them you accidently found it and ur scared the kids might get ahold of it.
If they want the guns there, just watch the kids more carefully, or quit if you can't deal with the situation.
2006-11-09 15:49:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should have told you. But since they didn't, you need to talk to them about it and see if they are willing to either unload(if they aren't already) or lock them up. Just to make sure that the children are learning firearm safety maybe you should take it upon yourself to explain to them. Make it interesting since they are so young and just explain what not to do if they find at home or else where. Less accidents happen when the children are taught the right way from the beginning.
2006-11-09 15:57:14 · answer #10 · answered by kara25701 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋