Do you ask about guns when you schedule play dates?

[Anonymous]

Do you ask?

I will admit I haven’t been, but just had a conversation with my 5 year old that freaked me out. She told me her good friend’s parents told her they have a gun and it’s locked up.

Now I’m feeling like an idiot for not asking before I do drop off play dates (I have older kids, too). We have told the kids what to do if they see a gun, but I now feel like I need to ask, but it feels uncomfortable.

Please don’t make this political. I just want to know if you ask (and how have people responded), and also if you would be offended if someone asked you (especially if it was someone who already sent their child to your house and is newly asking).

[Anonymous]

I absolutely do. Along with other key things--allergies, pets, etc. "If you own any firearms, where are they kept?" or "If you own any firearms, how do you store them when playdates take place?"

[Anonymous]

No I never ask and I trust that if they have it it’s locked. If someone asked me, I would avoid them in the future as high maintenance

[Anonymous]

I always ask along with other things as pp above and no one has ever been offended. Many have thanked me for contributing to making it a norm to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I never ask and I trust that if they have it it’s locked. If someone asked me, I would avoid them in the future as high maintenance

You must be a gun owner, then.

[Anonymous]

With families that we don’t know, yes, we ask. Kids are in high school now. I have no problem asking and no problem if the family has guns that are all stored in a locked gun safe.

OP-why do you think someone might be offended? There’s nothing political in asking if there are firearms in the home and if so, are they properly secured.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely I ask.

[Anonymous]

I always ask.

[Anonymous]

I’m very pro gun control and am grateful to live in Md where we have slot of common sense gun laws like red flag laws, and strongly support an assault style weapon ban.

But, statically, pools are much more dangerous to visiting kids than guns in a home. I suspect dogs in the home would also be a greater risk. I personally worry more about those situations and prefer to host instead of risk them. But barring a circumstance like a teen brother with guns, I would assume it was safe enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I never ask and I trust that if they have it it’s locked. If someone asked me, I would avoid them in the future as high maintenance

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Dogs worry me more than guns on playdates. But I wouldn’t let my kids go visit someone who I didn’t think would secure firearms properly.

[Anonymous]

DH has guns. I have 3 kids - ES through college age. We have only been asked once and I wasn’t at all offended. I explained that the guns are locked at all times unloaded in a safe that requires both a key and a numeric code. I offered to let the mom see how the are stored. She said she was comfortable with my explanation and the playdate proceeded as planned.

If any gun owner is offended by your asking, I would worry they aren’t storing their guns safely.

[Anonymous]

No. I assume they're responsible people. They're all European, lefty Americans or Asian. I don't think any of them have a gun in their home. I may be the closest to gun-ownership, since I come from a European family who hunts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I never ask and I trust that if they have it it’s locked. If someone asked me, I would avoid them in the future as high maintenance

Over something that can literally kill? Yikes. You don’t sound like you have good judgment at all; no great loss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH has guns. I have 3 kids - ES through college age. We have only been asked once and I wasn’t at all offended. I explained that the guns are locked at all times unloaded in a safe that requires both a key and a numeric code. I offered to let the mom see how the are stored. She said she was comfortable with my explanation and the playdate proceeded as planned.

If any gun owner is offended by your asking, I would worry they aren’t storing their guns safely.

Huge red flag. Not to mention trademark of a fragile gun nut