Do you let your kids have playdates in homes with guns?

[Anonymous]

If your child's friend's parents explain that their guns are safely locked away, would you permit a playdate at their house? At a gut level, I want to say that my kids should not be permitted to go over to any house where guns are present, but I am curious what other families think is reasonable?

[Anonymous]

NO!

[Anonymous]

I don't know, it would depend on if I trusted the parents and kids. The truth is, I have no idea if the parents of my DD's friends have guns. A lot of people have guns where I live (not in DMV), so I have to assume...

[Anonymous]

Yes. Close friends have them. It is much less dangerous than going to festivals and such, imo (Boston marathon anyone?)

[Anonymous]

Yes. But I'm one of the few people I know who actually asks if there are guns in the house and if so, then I ask how they're stored. Nobody ever asks me.

[Anonymous]

Yes because we also have guns and know a lot of military and law enforcement people who are responsible gun owners. Ours are locked in a giant noted in safe with bullets in another safe. I would have to know the parents. I will not be offended if someone doesn't want a play date at our house if they don't know me and my DH.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. For all the same reasons I let my kids play at houses with pools, household cleaners, dishwashing tabs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Unless they're real cretins, in which case you probably wouldn't have your kids over there, they most likely have the guns safely stored. My husband owns three guns. They are on a shelf in our closet so high I can't even reach it without a chair, none are loaded, and some are not even fully assembled. No kid is getting to those things. My kids don't even know he has them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Unless they're real cretins, in which case you probably wouldn't have your kids over there, they most likely have the guns safely stored. My husband owns three guns. They are on a shelf in our closet so high I can't even reach it without a chair, none are loaded, and some are not even fully assembled. No kid is getting to those things. My kids don't even know he has them.

You don't lock them up?!

[Anonymous]

If they allow me to verify that they are safely stored, yes. Otherwise, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child's friend's parents explain that their guns are safely locked away, would you permit a playdate at their house? At a gut level, I want to say that my kids should not be permitted to go over to any house where guns are present, but I am curious what other families think is reasonable?

Yes, of course, But I always send DS out with a piece strapped to his hip anyway. Just in case, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Unless they're real cretins, in which case you probably wouldn't have your kids over there, they most likely have the guns safely stored. My husband owns three guns. They are on a shelf in our closet so high I can't even reach it without a chair, none are loaded, and some are not even fully assembled. No kid is getting to those things. My kids don't even know he has them.

This is alarming. Everything else sounds responsible. But this last part is highly irresponsible and alarming.

[Anonymous]

Yes, if I know the parents well enough to trust that they are responsible. Several of DS's friends have fathers who are either in the military or who are law enforcement agents. It would not be reasonable to never allow DS to go to their homes, and they don't have a lot of choice about having a firearm.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

For the most part, how would you know? I had one dad tell me he worked for FBI and had guns and his kids knew and he told me how they are locked up.

I was completely comfortable and thrilled that he told me. But, he is a trained professional and I would be worried if if was someone who had them for different reasons.