“ASK encourages parents to simply ask if there are guns in the homes where their children play (such as at friends’ or family members’ homes),” Rev. Susan Russell writes at huffingtonpost.com. “Just as it has become common to hear parents asking about nut allergies or how the children will be supervised, parents can take an important step to ensure the safety of their children simply by asking: ‘Is there an unlocked gun in your home?'” Personally, I’ve got no problem with that – unless its a ruse by an anti-gunner to find out if you’re a gun owner. And probably not even then. If that’s the way they roll, so be it. It’s the next bit that I wonder about . . .
If the answer is no [there’s no unlocked gun in the house], then we have one less thing to worry about. If the answer is yes, we can make sure all guns are stored unloaded and locked, ideally in a gun safe, with ammunition stored separately.
First off, I’d worry about someone who doesn’t keep a gun in their house. IMHO, the lack of a gat tells me they don’t take their security or the security of their family seriously enough. And if they’re failing to keep a firearm for a deadly threat to themselves and their loves ones it makes me question how well they’re prepared for other, more likely emergencies.
Anyway . . .
Security is about layers. The more layers you have, the more secure your firearm. I home carry, have sturdy widows and doors and use an alarm system. I maintain situational awareness, don’t open my door to strangers and keep my guns in a proper safe or on my hip. And most of them are unloaded. But not all.
I’m sorry, but if I need a long gun, adrenalin will be flowing like champagne at a Tiffany store opening. I’m not going to be able to get my gun, go somewhere else and secure the appropriate ammunition, and then marry the two and be ready for the fight. It’s strictly grab n’ go.
Again, I’m OK with advice to store guns in a safe. But I’m not OK with the ammo stored separately deal. And laws that mandate locked storage (something about “shall not be infringed”). Nor do I appreciate it when supposedly well-meaning civilian disarmament proponents ignore the most important safety system of all: the one between kids’ ears.
“Does your child know the four safety rules?” is the question that needs asking once you establish that they’re going to a gun-owning household. Any parent who depends on safes and separately stored ammunition to keep their children safe from a potentially lethal negligent discharge is guilty of dangerous complacency. Complacency kills.
As for WWJD before play dates with families who may or may not own firearms, I’m sorry, but the guy wasn’t a parent or a gun owner. So as much as I respect my fellow Jew’s opinion on various moral, ethical and practical matters I’m going with simple common sense on this one. I’ll ask, but I’ll do it discreetly and get the information I need to keep my girl safe.