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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My gun is my business. How is your auto safety?  Car inspected lately?  Brakes OK?  That IS my business if my kid is going in a car with you. You the hosting parent should be offering me this info without me having to ask. [/quote]

[b]Cars are regulated. They require annual safety inspections.[/b] People can lose their license for being dangerous drivers. You have to pass a test and carry insurance.

If there was more oversight of who could own a gun and laws requiring proper storage and insurance, then I would have more confidence in gun owners. And if a parent wanted to ask about my driving record or safety features of my car I would be comfortable with that. I take being entrusted with the care of other people’s children seriously and do not mind answering questions.[/quote]

The car analogy does not work.

There are no safety checks, at least not in Maryland and I have never heard of annual safety inspections in DC or VA.  If someone is in an accident, they don't lose their license. How many DCUMers have been in accidents and not lost their licenses? [/quote]

There absolutely is an annual safety inspection for cars in Virginia (you have to get one to get a sticker for your license plate). And you don’t lose your license because of an accident, but you can for reckless driving or DUI. And even if you can’t avoid all car accidents, as a parent, I would be happy to let another family know that yes, we use car seats at all times to at least try to prevent serious injury.

If you are confident in your responsible handing of firearms, then you should be happy to let another family know that you keep them locked away. No one needs to know where or the combo to the safe. But you should be able to have a conversation with other parents about this type of thing. One of my good friends’ husbands is in law enforcement and she has been upfront with me there is a gun in their home, but automatically put away and locked up when he gets home from work. I feel comfortable with my child having play dates over there because I trust their judgment [/quote]

The problem with “trusting their judgement” is that it leaves your children dependent on third parties instead of preparing them for the risks they may face and need to respond to.

From the earliest possible age, children need to know:

1. All guns are real until a responsible adult has verified then and there that they are not real.

2. All guns are always loaded, all the time.

3. If you see a gun, STOP, DON’T TOUCH, LEAVE THE AREA, TELL AN ADULT.

There are more rules for families that decide to introduce their children to shooting sports, but these apply across the board.

[/quote]

What makes you assume we don’t also talk to our children about gun safety? Do you really think I take the time to ask other parents about gun safety but it completely slipped my mind to teach my children this as well?

I’ve had two deaths in my extended family from guns (one a suicide and one an accidental gunshot wound while a friend was cleaning a gun). Our household takes gun safety seriously on multiple levels. [/quote]

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