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Epeanymous
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 15,108
May 2001
Posts: 2,240
Layouts: 1
 |  Posted: 1/27/2013 2:28:00 AM
Question for those of you who are gun-owners: if my kid is coming over for a play date, and you have guns in your home, will you answer me honestly that you own them? If I ask you how they are stored, will you answer me honestly about how you store them?
(What is prompting this question is that a FB friend of mine who has multiple kids in the home posted a picture of a gun that is accessible in the home.) | |
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Aleighl55
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 232,220
November 2005
Posts: 2,796
Layouts: 1
Loc: Humble, TX
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 4:35:57 AM
Yes I would answer you honestly and tell you what precautions are in place to keep my child from getting the guns. I'd let you look if you wanted. | |
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I-95
It's all just nonsense anyway!
PeaNut 97,456
July 2003
Posts: 19,749
Layouts: 0
Loc: California, NY & Orlando
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 4:40:18 AM
Yes, and I wouldn't be offended by the question either. I think you have a right to know your children are going to be safe. | |
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Darkangel090260
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 308,882
April 2007
Posts: 2,842
Layouts: 15
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 4:50:45 AM
we do not own guns. However, We have swords and knives in our home and I do let other parents know we have some live blades. They our in the master bed room and a couple on the wall. But most of them are locked in a gun safe in our master bedroom. |
| I have quite a few learing disabilitys that effect my spelling a grammer. I do know my grammer and spelling suck. I have been working on this problem all my adult life. | |
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MandaSue
PeaAddict
PeaNut 161,999
August 2004
Posts: 1,049
Layouts: 3
Loc: Georgia
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 6:19:33 AM
Yes, I would answer you honestly. |
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Shih Tzu Mommy
Million dollar camera, 10 dollar lock!
PeaNut 224,352
September 2005
Posts: 23,527
Layouts: 0
Loc: Right here
| Posted: 1/27/2013 7:31:36 AM
I am VERY upfront about it.
I am shocked how many people don't even ask before their kids come over. I usually have to bring it up. I let them know that our children do not have access to our gun safes and that even in the safe, they have locks on them and our children do not have access to the keys.
At our smaller home I am often in the house alone and I do have it loaded and ready, with my safety on in my bedside cabinet, but when others are here, I have it secured.
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catholicone
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 141,445
April 2004
Posts: 2,794
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/27/2013 7:43:01 AM
Heck yes I'd be honest. I see no reason not to be.
I'venever thought to ask about guns in other people's houses because usually we're the ones having kids over, but at some point I know there will be a sleepover away from home.
So how exactly do you go about asking that question? Any examples of reactions when you asked? | |
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tamhugh
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 12,875
March 2001
Posts: 7,943
Layouts: 11
| Posted: 1/27/2013 7:52:15 AM
So how exactly do you go about asking that question? Any examples of reactions when you asked?
You just have to ask as politely as possible. Mention that you aren't gun owners so your children are not used to being around guns and that you just feel better asking. I think, honestly, that any truly responsible gun owners will be fine answering. Only one person ever was offended and got angry about how his guns were safe and his kids knew better than to touch them. Want to guess which house my son was actually shown a gun by the child living there? So, it is also important to educate your own children not to touch the guns if they are out and to immediately go a get an adult if another child touches them. | |
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*maureen*
Bad Wolf
PeaNut 191,892
February 2005
Posts: 5,394
Layouts: 0
Loc: Wheaton
| Posted: 1/27/2013 8:01:29 AM
Yes I would, and the one time I was asked I answered truthfully and I think the parents were shocked. The mom admitted that they were pretty sure other parents had guns in the home based on conversations with the kids, but no one had ever admitted it outright. |
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ePEAcenter
BucketHead
PeaNut 364,981
February 2008
Posts: 675
Layouts: 2
Loc: Texas Hill Country
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 8:11:52 AM
Heck yes!
It is absolutely OK to ask and important that you do. I'd have no problem telling you and then asking you if you were OK with the situation. Different kids have different experiences and don't have the same level of knowledge and training about weapons that they probably should. A responsible gun owner takes that into account when they know who is coming to their home.
We are often shooting skeet in the backyard with some friends or others of our kids, after checking with their parents. They are invariably delighted with the experience and I am thankful that they are safer / better informed individuals as a result of learning the basic rules of gun handling and safety.
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**Angie**
Pea Who Should Be Cleaning!
PeaNut 145,006
May 2004
Posts: 10,880
Layouts: 91
Loc: at home in front of the computer
| Posted: 1/27/2013 8:14:05 AM
We've had one parent ask, but we have talked to all of the kids about guns.
We've seen these kids grow up - we've lived in this neighborhood for over 5 years. We treat them like our own.
Dh keeps one of his guns in a display box high on the wall. The kids have asked about it and dh took that time to discuss gun safety with them. If the kids are here when dh is going hunting, they'll see the travel cases and ask about them. Dh DOES NOT take them out, but he does say what they are for and how to travel safely.
I didn't have any problem with the one parent asking questions. She wanted to make sure they were locked away, which they are.
To be honest, I'd be shocked if any of the other parents asked. They let their kids roam the neighborhood at all hours and one dad has point blank told me that his 11 and 12 year old girls "can take care of themselves if anything should happen".  I feel like I look out for the kids more than their parents do. |
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Spongemom Scrappants
HRH pilates teaching wino ball of fun
PeaNut 297,141
February 2007
Posts: 10,703
Layouts: 31
Loc: South Carolina
| Posted: 1/27/2013 9:05:07 AM
I have no problem with being asked and I have also asked other people.
Heck, I would WANT you to ask - especially if your child does not know anything about guns or gun safety. I not only want your child to be safe, but I want to lessen my liability. |
Angie
Where the boys are... my new husband, my four sons and my boy cat.
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SabrinaM
Proud Member of THE MOB
PeaNut 5,735
August 2000
Posts: 24,809
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 1/27/2013 9:14:36 AM
Of course! |
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Sabrina
Recession: When your neighbor loses his job
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PEArfect
AncestralPea
PeaNut 452,048
January 2010
Posts: 4,636
Layouts: 0
Loc: Indiana
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 10:16:47 AM
Yes, I would answer your questions honestly and would not be offended.
My husband is a police officer, so I would think it's obvious to most that come in our home that we have guns. We've never had anyone ask where we keep them though. |
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Mrs_Tyler
Sorting Laundry
PeaNut 197,836
March 2005
Posts: 24,214
Layouts: 246
Loc: Enjoying the humid continental climate zone.
| Posted: 1/27/2013 10:18:04 AM
Yes and yes.
We own guns that are kept locked in safes out of children's reach and nowhere near the areas where kids play in our home. | |
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SDeven
Love Letters Pea
PeaNut 65,852
January 2003
Posts: 28,313
Layouts: 380
Loc: Nashville, TN!
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 10:18:30 AM
Yes of course. |
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JenKate77
Reading when I should be cleaning!
PeaNut 89,592
June 2003
Posts: 6,342
Layouts: 5
Loc: Just come out so we can talk. Or sing about it.
| Posted: 1/27/2013 10:20:55 AM
Of course, to both.
Why would anyone lie and say they didn't have guns? | |
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**buglvr12**
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 220,209
August 2005
Posts: 2,328
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/27/2013 10:25:35 AM
Yes I would answer you honestly. We have several guns and some are locked up but some are not. We have our pistols loaded in our bedroom and easily accessible to us. Now if your child came to my house they would not be able to get to them. |
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mstubble
PeaFixture
PeaNut 281,278
October 2006
Posts: 3,345
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northern Virginia
| Posted: 1/27/2013 10:28:17 AM
Yes I would. We always put all guns in our gun safe when any children are in our home. |
Parachute
Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket? | |
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CountryHam
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 335,105
August 2007
Posts: 2,928
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/27/2013 11:49:43 AM
I am shocked how many people don't even ask before their kids come over
Not everyone has grown up in a culture where it would even cross their minds that it would be a possibility. | |
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TinaFB
the lunatics have taken over the asylum
PeaNut 25,135
November 2001
Posts: 25,720
Layouts: 349
Loc: Maryland
 | Posted: 1/27/2013 11:52:15 AM
Why would anyone lie and say they didn't have guns?
Maybe they don't want their kids to know that they own a gun. A friend of mine owns a handgun, but her kids don't know about it. She has no intention of telling them either. |
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BuckeyeSandy
Old Dogs are Best!
PeaNut 92,987
June 2003
Posts: 22,460
Layouts: 364
Loc: With my dogs
| Posted: 1/27/2013 12:01:22 PM
DH is a LEO, of course we do. They are also secured.
Where and how is not for general public information (this board) but parental authorities (not all of the kids' friends were with mom &/or dad) were told details if they asked. |
Sandy
Every MOM is a working mom!
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Burning Feather
I conceived but I can't see you
PeaNut 158,336
July 2004
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Ouiser
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 196,226
March 2005
Posts: 8,918
Layouts: 0
Loc: in the South
| Posted: 1/27/2013 12:18:11 PM
Interesting question. Of course I would answer honestly, but as to the comment of being shocked because people don't ask...My girls are grown but they lived in two different states while still in school (k-12). We always had kids around here as I would rather have them here where I know what was going on than elsewhere. I was never asked once that question in all those years. Different time perhaps? Of course I come from a time where guys had shotgun racks in their trucks with the guns in them in the school parking lot. |
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cmpeter
PEAceful Pea
PeaNut 14,521
April 2001
Posts: 34,589
Layouts: 31
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 1/27/2013 12:25:14 PM
In our circle it's pretty common to be asked or often for a first play date, the hosting parents just volunteer the info. It's 90% non-gun owners though. So, it's generally them telling you they don't have guns in the home without you having to ask. |
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Cutesuzyq
BucketHead
PeaNut 96,863
July 2003
Posts: 890
Layouts: 6
Loc: Lost in the Land of Confusion..
| Posted: 1/27/2013 1:43:39 PM
Yes and Yes. That is part of being a responsible gun owner. |
Suzanne
Wife, Mom, Book Lover, Crafter, and Red belt in Mixed Martial Arts
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gmcwife1
SamFan
PeaNut 33,625
March 2002
Posts: 8,103
Layouts: 0
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 1/27/2013 1:47:45 PM
Yes, I would answer your questions honestly and would not be offended.
My husband is a police officer, so I would think it's obvious to most that come in our home that we have guns. We've never had anyone ask where we keep them though.
Dh is a corrections officer at the jail. We would answer honestly but we have also never had anyone ask. I have always just assumed people know that we have a gun properly stored in our home.
~ Dori ~
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writermom1
Thrift Whisperer
PeaNut 114,407
November 2003
Posts: 22,400
Layouts: 66
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 1/27/2013 1:55:31 PM
Yes and yes.
I've offered it along with how we handle our dogs when visitors are present. |
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Maryland
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 87,597
May 2003
Posts: 9,013
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/27/2013 3:00:41 PM
I have been reluctant to let my kids play at homes where I know they have guns. I feel that the people would be offended if I ask, so I don't bother. I'm glad to see most are open to the question! We don't own guns, never have never will. I would never mind if a parent asked me if we have guns in the house.
I always ask parents of kids that come here if their child is allergic to anything. My kids don't have allergies, so we have peanut butter, nuts, etc. But it seems that so many kids these days have food allergies. I want kids to be safe at our house!
We used to have a german shepherd. The sweetest dog ever, and loved kids. But I always asked parents when they came to the door if they were comfortable around the dog. If they weren't, we would put the dog in our bedroom. He didn't mind at all, and that way the parents and kids felt comfortable.
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