Menu: Lifestyle
I always ask about firearms before my kids’ playdates, and I think you should too. I vividly remember the first time I posed the question to a parent I barely knew: “Do you have any guns in your home?” It felt incredibly awkward, and I feared she would label me as an overprotective parent and decide never to let her child play with mine again.
To my surprise, her response was, “No, but I really appreciate you asking! It’s a great question. Do you have any?” This unexpected conversation, while initially uncomfortable, brought me immediate relief.
I’m often astonished by how few parents consider this question before arranging playdates. In my experience, not a single parent has ever asked me about guns. Meanwhile, I’ve taken the initiative to reach out to parents, relatives, and neighbors before my kids visit their homes.
We don’t have firearms in our house and don’t plan to. I grew up in a household where my father hunted, so I’ve been around guns my whole life. However, once I became a mom, I decided that the potential risks outweighed any benefits. For my family, it made sense to keep firearms out of our home while the kids are small.
I’m not against guns; it’s simply a personal choice. However, the statistics surrounding children and gun safety are alarming, and I refuse to become just another statistic. I certainly don’t want my kids to face risks at someone else’s home simply because I hesitated to ask, “Do you own any guns?”
According to a report by the CDC, 77 children were unintentionally killed by firearm accidents in 2016. The report reveals that these numbers might be lower than reality due to how coroners classify these deaths. In fact, many accidental shootings involving children are misclassified as homicides or undetermined causes, contributing to an underreporting of these tragic incidents. Gun control advocates claim that seven children die each day due to gun violence, a statistic that can be misleading as it includes various forms of gun-related deaths among those aged 0 to 19. For me, one accidental shooting is one too many.
A few years ago, I watched a compelling episode of 20/20 titled “Young Guns” that solidified my resolve never to own a gun and to always inquire about guns before my children visit others. Kids are naturally drawn to firearms out of curiosity, often leading them to explore places they shouldn’t. I once found my children rummaging through their grandpa’s closet while playing hide-and-seek. After scolding them for invading his privacy, I had a serious discussion with my father-in-law about his gun storage practices.
The 20/20 episode revealed a startling fact: even when parents think their kids don’t know where the guns are hidden, the children often do. They can be as aware of hidden firearms as they are of snacks in another room. Even kids educated on gun safety can forget the rules when they come across a firearm, sometimes picking it up without understanding the danger.
It’s crucial to ask about firearms in any home your child visits, whether it’s a family member, neighbor, or new friend. But how do you approach this sensitive topic? Just ask. Most parents won’t think you’re overreacting. If they do, that might indicate their home isn’t the safest place for your child to play. Most parents genuinely want to keep their kids safe, and they will appreciate your concern.
If the response is affirmative, follow up with more questions: Where are the guns stored? Are they locked away? Do their children know about the guns? It’s reasonable to ask if they could secure their firearms while your child is visiting. If the parents seem dismissive, you might consider inviting their child to your home instead, as you have a strict policy regarding safety.
Even if the answer is that they have guns safely stored, it’s wise to revisit the question regularly to ensure their practices remain satisfactory. If your kids play together often, the parents might proactively reassure you about their gun safety measures.
Not long ago, a child in our neighborhood left a note inviting my kids to a “gun show.” Alarmed, I found out it was actually a Nerf gun event, which turned out to be a great opportunity for us to discuss gun safety with our kids.
While it can be uncomfortable to ask, “Do you have any guns?” it could potentially save your child’s life and encourage responsible practices among adults. Let’s break the ice and open up this conversation for the safety of our children. If you were to inquire about our gun ownership, I would be grateful you did.
For more information about navigating parenting and safety concerns, check out resources like March of Dimes, which offers excellent support for pregnancy and family matters, or explore Intracervical Insemination for insightful discussions on family planning. Additionally, Make a Mom is a trusted authority on home insemination topics.
In summary, asking about guns before playdates is a vital conversation for every parent. It can be awkward, but it’s necessary for ensuring the safety of our children. Let’s embrace this dialogue and prioritize our kids’ well-being.