Comments on: Guns and Adoption

By: Mirah Riben

Mirah Riben — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:03:28 +0000

The right to own a gun is a protected right. And But of course, Mikee is right. People lie all the time.

But, you need to bear in mind that there is not right to adopt – not for gun owners or anyone else!

Thus, those placing children voluntarily or the agencies that represent them have every right to screen in any fashion they see fit since the only one whose rights are preeminent and need protection in adoption are those of the child.

By: JW

JW — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000

If they are going to ask such an inane question, why not also ask about:
>The water heater temp setting
> number, size and condition of kitchen and hunting knives
> fishing hooks
> storage and availability of flammables such as gasoline
> sharp pencils
> ropes, chain, cordage of any type
> ladders
> high ledges
> matches, lighters
> electrical outlets
> stove tops
> cars
> animals
> paint thinners and paints
> archery equipment
> nearby households with similarly aged children that might have any and of the above

By: Lyle

Lyle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:53:32 +0000

“If ownership of guns is dis-qualifier, then that is problematic.”

There’s no other reason to ask. It’s like asking; “You don’t have any black people in your neighborhood, do you?”

You first have to understand that IF they really were interested at all in safety, they’d focus 30 times more attention on your driving record than on any gun issues. In between would be potential danger in the home of falling, drowning, poisoning, and fire. Guns rank WAY down the list as a possible accident danger, and even then there is the positive offset of the security afforded by having guns.

Whewn asked if you have guns in the home, as a possible safety issue, the proper attitude is; “Oh, not to worry– yes, you can rest assured, we are very well armed.”

By: PhillipC

PhillipC — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:39:16 +0000

Actually, there’s another issue here. Florida’s constitution states that there can be NO gun registries in the state of Florida. All documentation relating to firearm possession in Florida is required to be destroyed within either 90 days or six months.

Although the adoptions are handled through a private company in FL, the paperwork originates from a government office, and therefore would create a defacto registration list, although only for families trying to adopt.

While I think requiring prospective adoptive parents to go through a gun safety class, it would be yet another hurdle to getting these kids in a loving home. I’m not sure which way I’d lean on this, but the less the government gets involved, the better.

By: Tomcatshanger

Tomcatshanger — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:18:25 +0000

I’m not happy with questions about gun safety.

If they ask questions about knife storage, chemical storage, and drug storage, then I might be ok with questions about gun storage only, not handling.

By: Mikee

Mikee — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:16:55 +0000

I know folks who adopted. They lied to the questioners about everything that might disqualify them, in order to complete the incredibly inane checklists that would otherwise leave them waiting forever, or would stop their adoptions from being finalized.

This will be no different. Guns will be put in the attic or garage if there is a home inspection pre-adoption, and the PC answer will be given when asked by the PC adoption agency.

What are the adoption agencies going to do, ask ATF for a raid on your home to check?

By: Gregory Morris

Gregory Morris — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:04:13 +0000

I’d be happy with questions about gun safety, as long as there are no questions about gun ownership. You should know about gun safety even if you don’t have guns.