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1st priority - driving and seat belts, safe driving
2nd priority - Water. Its deadly
3rd priority - Fire. Matches. Ovens. Anything fire related
4th priority and 5th - climbing and falling, and drinking whats under the sink
Guns are so low on the list. . .Its funny. Its like your worrying about the plane crash, when chances are you will die on the way to the airport.
This is so true. There are approximately 52 accidental shooting deaths of children a year. Most of those are "children" between the ages of 15-19. Often the numbers you see on the news include the number of kids who commit suicide with a gun (approx 1000 a year) and homicides. And many of these "statistics" include "children" up to 24yrs old.
I really wonder, where people get these things. I mean I would of never even THOUGHT to make such a statement, without at least asking the question.
Really, Guns are more common today then they were when your kids were playdate years? What year was that 1860?
Gun Ownership a 30 year decline
I, and my children grew up in NJ, where there are strict gun control laws. I didn't realize so many in this country were gun-slingers when I was a kid, and neither did my children. Now we live in GA, and it's a whole 'nother world. Hell yeah, I'd be concerned about playdates here if mine were younger.
I wonder about the link you posted. I know a LOT of people who have run out to purchase guns since this most recent election.
Regardless, the original question was whether or not to inquire about guns in the home before okaying a playdate. I think responsible parents have to do exactly that. You can preach gun safety to a 4 yr old all you want, I wouldn't put my trust in their maturity level to resist.
I, and my children grew up in NJ, where there are strict gun control laws. I didn't realize so many in this country were gun-slingers when I was a kid, and neither did my children. Now we live in GA, and it's a whole 'nother world. Hell yeah, I'd be concerned about playdates here if mine were younger.
I wonder about the link you posted. I know a LOT of people who have run out to purchase guns since this most recent election.
Regardless, the original question was whether or not to inquire about guns in the home before okaying a playdate. I think responsible parents have to do exactly that. You can preach gun safety to a 4 yr old all you want, I wouldn't put my trust in their maturity level to resist.
It isn't hard to get a gun in NJ. You fill out some paperwork and you wait.
But it really could be that people are less vocal about them. Particularly when people hunt they have no qualms about saying they have guns. There are plenty of people in NJ who have guns but don't talk about them.
The more knowledge kids have about death and guns or other things that can cause death the better chance they have of avoiding a mishap. So they should know how to safely handle guns so that when they are in a friends home they will know if a gun is not being handled correctly.
Honestly, I wouldn't be leaving a four-year-old with anyone that I didn't know very well. An eight- or nine-year-old is a different story, but you need to know the person watching your preschooler, IMO.
Aw yes, a lot of gun ownership in my neck of the woods. I just tell my son, who's 9, to play outside in the front of their yard. Good exercise and like others have said, people will lie about all kinds of stuff. Why they are ashamed of their gun ownership I don't know, you never hear people lie about having a pool fence. lol But guns are a heated topic, like politics.
Out hear we have all those "end of the world" people who have lots of weapons, not just one. We have pools everywhere, and dogs unleashed. I have worried about all of the above. My son knows now not to pet a dog until he knows it's nice, he can swim a mile and that guns are for killing things not toys.
I don't own a gun, I'm not afraid of a home invasion or getting struck by lighting and I don't think the world is ending. But, it's part of our world, a lot of people do and you should teach your child they aren't toys. You are trusting another persons kid with a gun when you allow them to enter that home. Think about it.
When your child is of age to go play outside without you, keep it out in front of the home. If they need to go into it then yes, I'd ask but, like you see on here not everyone is honest about having guns loaded or not in their home. I tell my son they can just play outside in the front yard. I tell the parents of the other kids that as well. I tell them it's better to get fresh air. They ride scooters or play in the dirt and I have no complaints so far.
Honestly, I wouldn't be leaving a four-year-old with anyone that I didn't know very well. An eight- or nine-year-old is a different story, but you need to know the person watching your preschooler, IMO.
I agree with this. My son could start going out around the age of 8. 4 or 5 is to young IMO of course.
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I just tell my son, who's 9, to play outside in the front of their yard. Good exercise and like others have said, people will lie about all kinds of stuff. Why they are ashamed of their gun ownership I don't know, you never hear people lie about having a pool fence. lol But guns are a heated topic, like politics. 
