A few years ago, I had an interesting (but excellent) question asked to me by a mom. I was organizing a play date with my son (then six) with a new friend, and I had not yet met the mother. As we were on the phone planning the play date, she asked me if I would mind her asking me if we had guns in our home. At first I was taken aback at this question, but as I thought about it, I realized this was a fair question.
I told her that we did not have guns in our home. (I have never hunted, but have, in fact, fired guns. I actually earned my Pro Marxman badge in riflery when I was a teenager at summer camp.) I have since wondered if this was something parents should get into the habit of asking. It turns out I am not alone in thinking this. Here is an excerpt from one mom’s plea featured on The Today Show after her son was accidentally shot by his friend:
Since Noah’s death, I’ve learned that nine kids are shot unintentionally every day. I want people to understand that it’s very important to practice gun safety if you own guns, and to ask each other if there are unlocked guns where a child may visit or play. As parents, we do so many other things to ensure our children’s safety. We use car seats, seat belts, and put childproof caps on medicine. We keep knives out of their reach. We hold their hands when crossing the street. Learn from my pain. If you are a gun owner, lock and store your guns properly and don’t assume kids will be mature and do the right thing. Don’t be offended if someone asks you if your guns are locked and stored properly. And, most importantly, every parent should know that you have the right to ask if there is a gun where your child visits or plays. That one question may save your child’s life.
Here’s to asking important questions to keep your children safe.
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