NRA: Stop Asking Adoptive Parents About Guns
Categories: Adoption, Safety, In The News, Weird But True, Extreme Childhood
A family looks at a gun during the National Rifle Association of America's annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. Credit: Getty Images
The National Rifle Association is pushing a new bill that would prevent adoption agencies in Florida from asking pistol-packing mamas and papas if they have guns in their homes.
The bill was prompted by the case of a Brevard County, Fla., couple who, when applying to adopt a child, were asked if they had guns in their home, according to NBC Miami. The Miami Herald reports that the couple, who was not named, contacted a lawyer who put them in touch with NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer. The lawyer told the couple that it would be easier to change the law than to sue.The two were applying to adopt through the Children's Home Society of Florida, which asked the question because it is required by the state Department of Children and Families.
"An adoption agency has no right to subvert the privacy rights of gun owners," Hammer told the Herald.
The NRA-endorsed bill is sponsored by Florida Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and the single-page bill would make it unlawful for an adoption agency to ask about guns in the home. However, it does not lay out any specific penalties for doing so. The Herald reports that Florida has a history of successful NRA-sponsored bills.
There is opposition to the proposed law from NRA opponents like Democratic Sen. Nan Rich. "Parents frequently ask if other parents have guns in the home before their kids play there, so why can't an adoption agency just ask?'' Rich told the newspaper.
Does it matter if adoptive parents have guns in their houses? Should that influence the decision to give them a child?
Related: Wisconsin Lowers Hunting Age to 10
Recent Posts
- G.I. Joe, My Little Pony Invading TV With New Children's Network (2/09/2010)
- Movies May Influence Children's Food Choices, Study Shows (2/09/2010)
- Report Cites 220 Cases of D.C. Teachers Abusing Students (2/09/2010)
- Chicago Candidate Drops Out of Race With Tearful Child On Display (2/09/2010)
- Juicy, But Not Juice (2/09/2010)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Katty 11-17-2009 @ 4:09PM
I think that the question needs to be not, do you have guns, but if you do have guns are they secured? I think that is a valid question. Just like if they have a pool the question should be, is the pool secured? Is there safety mechanisms in place for potentially dangerous situations, such as medications, knives, drills, etc. It should be in a series of questions and having a gun by itself does not make you a bad parent, I don't like guns, but I respect the right of others to have them.
Reply
SKL 11-17-2009 @ 6:02PM
I don't know what Florida's home study process is like, but in my state, the social worker visits twice and walks through every room in the house, asking questions about anything that looks potentially dangerous. In addition, we have to have a fire inspection and numerous background checks. We had to fill out a form where we checked off various potential household dangers and safety measures that were (or were not) in place. I think it was written like "if you have a pool, does it have a fence around it." And N/A was accepted for stuff like locks on the cupboard doors and gates on the steps, since I didn't have kids yet when I filled out the form.
I think it's important to get a feel for the parents' understanding of and commitment to safety. But guns should not be treated any differently than, say, knives and cleaning products. Nobody asked me "do you have Draino in your house" so why would they ask "do you have guns"? There are enough people who have them, that they should confirm that each prospective parent knows what to do to ensure gun safety, versus singling out people who have guns.
I understand the NRA's concern - that a social worker who doesn't personally approve of guns will be biased and write a negative report. I do believe this could happen. I know it happens if you tell them that you believe in spanking, a perfectly legal and highly popular form of discipline. It happens if you have a dog that they consider to be mean-looking, or a housemate to whom you are not married. So it could certainly happen with guns.
Reply
HSM 11-17-2009 @ 9:43PM
I am an adoption social worker. I am not familiar with Florida's regulations, but many states do have regulations regarding firearms in the homes of foster and adoptive parent applicants. The usual rule is that firearms must be stored, unloaded, in a locked location and that ammunition must be stored in a separate locked location. The storage and keys must be out of reach of children. This is a safety issue, among many that are addressed in licensing caregiver homes. When I began my career, more than 25 years ago, such rules were not on the books. In that time period a toddler placed for adoption by my agency was accidentally shot and killed by another very young child who found a loaded handgun in the adoptive parents' nightstand. These regulations exist to avoid tragic situations like the one I just described.
Reply
Jennifer 11-18-2009 @ 3:53PM
I worked as a social worker in PA and adopted in WI and my experience was the same as yours. In addition to the requirement about guns, prospective foster and adoptive parents also needed to ensure safety in other areas such as locking up liquor, installing smoke alarms and gating pools. It is to ensure a safe environment for the child.
Gun safety is a children's safety matter. Not only do social workers ask about it, so does my child's pediatrician. It's included in their well child exam along with questions about how they eat and if they wear seatbelts.
LS 11-18-2009 @ 10:18AM
Thank you, PD, for removing that obnoxious ad-guy and his obnoxious ad-placing. It was getting very irritating, very quickly.
Reply
Kristy 11-19-2009 @ 8:09AM
I'm okay with them ASKING about guns in the home.....but do they ask about alcohol??? or medications?? Are they being fair or are they picking and choosing??? Lots of things pose the same risk as a firearm when not used in their proper place.
Reply
Sarah 11-19-2009 @ 8:33AM
All parents should be educated about the proper safety methods of storing guns and ammunition, as well as medications, cleaning products, tools, etc. It's just a matter of public health.
Reply
Frank Q. Ray 11-27-2009 @ 12:14AM
All American homes should be equipped with one or more firearms. It is a right granted by our Constitution, and should be fully exercised. The children in the household should be taught the proper use and care of firearms from an early age until adulthood, irregardless of whether they are natural or adopted. This nation was founded by God, guts, and guns. Let's remember our roots, and the facts that provided the building blocks that made this nation the greatest in the history of the world in the shortest time. It was not accomplished by political correctness and dependance on the government, but by people who revelled in the freedom that promotes individuality, self reliance, and pride of personal accomplishment. The adoption agencies should take firearm possession as a given, with no perceived need to even ask the question !
Reply