The intent of asking about guns, is to recommend safe storage and handling. It is the same as asking if the crib is of modern manufacture, the house has smoke alarms, and is the hot water heater set low enough for children.
Rob.
So... are you and other doctors asking about cribs, smoke alarms, and hot water tank settings... or just about the presence of guns?
While I always stored my guns empty and securely when my kids were small, I recognized the fact that eventually I might slip up and leave one out. I also realized that with over 80 million guns here in Pennsylvania, there was a very good possibility they might encounter a gun at the home of a Grandparent, Uncle, friend, etc.
So the better path was to train them from an early age. I would intentionally leave an unloaded revolver or long gun on the bed, for example, and send one of the kids into the bedroom to get my slippers. I would have them in full sight so I could gauge their reaction. They had been taught over and over that if they ever found a gun, or if one of their cousins or friends found a gun, that they should immediately run and tell an adult.
My kids always did exactly as they were told, and I praised and rewarded them with a trip to McDonalds, or Dairy Queen, or whatever they wanted. This reinforced the training, and they would never even hesitate to run and tell me about the gun that I intentionally left layin out.
Finally, as soon as possible, I taught them about guns and allowed them to shoot. I explained that they never needed to sneak a peek, but merely ask, and I would take them shooting. This stops the "forbidden fruit" type curiousity.
I feel the AMA approach will merely lead to more kids being insulated from reality, and then when they do encounter a gun, curiosity will lead them to touch, examine, and otherwise play with it with possible tragic results. My Doctors' questions may prompt ME to lock up my guns, but what about the other 79.99 million in my county alone?
