Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Do you thinks it's appropriate to ask if there is a gun in the house?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I wanted to put a poll, but it's not giving me the option on the iPad....sorry

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Yes I think it is appropriate if you are dropping off.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I think it is an appropriate question. We have guns in our home, locked in a gun cabinet, locked in dhs closet. I would have no problem disclosing this. My kids don't even know they exist.

I do think some people lie though and will say no even when the answer is yes. I am not a very trusting person.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Hmm. I have thought of this. You can ask, but I think many people who own guns may not want to disclose such.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

i would be so caught off guard if someone asked me that - but i can understand why you would ask.

just wondering - if you ask and they say yes, will you decide to not allow your child to go there for a playdate even if they say they are locked up?

eta - i do think a lot of parents would not want to disclose that if they did have guns in the house

Message edited 11/19/2013 1:29:26 PM.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I have never even thought to ask that!!
I guess bc my boys are still young so I go to the play dates and so far I know the moms well.

Why would the question come up? Just asking bc the only questions I've been asked is if we have a cat bc their LO has allergies. Oh, and a mom asked if she could serve something with PB in case anyone had allergies. Never thought about a gun.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I have never thought to ask but we have never done a drop off playdate yet either.

My friend's DH is military and has a gun in the house. My friend told me that the gun is in a different location with the ammo.

We have another friend whose father is a DEA agent. I know he carries a gun. I would probably ask how the guns are stored if I ever did a drop off there.

I would not let my kid go alone to someone's home unless we knew them well.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

My kids have never done a drop off either, but now that they are in elementary, the conversations have started. I would def not let my child go over to a house where I did not know the person, but there are parents that I know pretty well, but still don't know this answer.

Guns are so scary to me. And little kids are so inquisitive, hey, want to see something cool...I know this is prob far fetched, but it's an intense fear of mine.


Eta: I have spoken to my kids about it and what thy should do if put in that situation, but I just don't ever want that situation to arise

Message edited 11/19/2013 1:54:41 PM.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I was actually discussing this yesterday. I would want to ask and if there was a gun in their house, I would not feel comfortable sending my child even if it was securely locked away. I would offer to have their child come to my house.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Im not clear what made you come up with this question? Are there guns in your home? Or do you know gun owners? I never even thought to ask that question.

ETA: Are you married to someone in law enforcement? OR are the kids going to someones house that is in law enforcement?

I guess this is such a foreign question to me Im wondering where its coming from? Maybe Im just naive LOL

Message edited 11/19/2013 2:21:55 PM.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

If I knew that someone probably had a gun because of their job, I might casually ask where they keep it. But I wouldn't not send my kid over just because they have a gun, especially if they tell me it's locked up and out of reach of the kids. My husband is in law enforcement, and we have a gun, but it is absolutely locked up and hidden. I think if be pretty offended if someone refused to let their child in our home because we have a gun.

There are so many other things that kids can get into and get hurt. I think knives in a kitchen drawer are more dangerous than an unloaded gun, locked in a safe, kept on a top shelf somewhere that kids don't know about. If you know and trust the parents, then they should be responsible enough to ensure a safe environment for the kids to play. If you don't trust them that much, then I wouldn't do a drop off.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Yes I will ask and no probably wouldn't leave my children unattended in someone's home with a gun. I'm unapologetic anti-gun. It's my responsibility to protect my girls and I believe leaving them in a home where there is a gun is not safe. I'm sure there are some homes that I may be more comfortable with that of family where I've been shown where he gun is locked and of course unloaded or law enforcement. I guess it depends but I'd be very hesitant to leave my girls.

Message edited 11/19/2013 2:27:29 PM.

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I mention it to other parents (that we have no guns), and I have yet to drop my DD off at someone's house for a playdate. If I did, I would ask. I am not comfortable with the thought of someone having guns, and like others said, people lie, so I'm 100% fine with kids playing at my house!

Message edited 11/19/2013 2:33:35 PM.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Message edited 11/19/2013 2:30:48 PM.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

DH is a cop, so obviously we have guns. My children are 13, 7, and 4 and are well versed in gun safety and what to do if they see a gun.
I would not ask about guns in the house before a playdate, because my children know how to handle themselves.
I have had probably over a hundred playdates over the years and never have I been asked about guns in the house.
But, you are the mom and should do what makes you feel comfortable. If you were to ask me, I would show you our gun safes without hesitation.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

DH and I were actually discussing this fairly recently. I will definitely be asking if there is a gun in the home before I allow my kids to go there.

If they say yes, its not an automatic no visit- I will just ask about how they have it secured.

Both DH and I each had an experience growing up where we were in a friend's house and there was an accessible gun.

My parents had prepared me, so when the gun came out, I ran out of that house like a chicken with its head cut off. DH's mom did not discuss it with him, so he and his equally stupid friend played with the gun and they are just lucky that there was no ammo in it.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

We have guns in the house- DH is a cop- and I would not be offended at all if someone asked me.
They are locked up and secured.
Ask away.

Re: Question to ask in regards to a playdate? Is it appropriate?

I think it's totally fine to ask.

If they do have a gun in the house, and they are responsible and keep it properly secured, there would be no reason to be offended by the question.