[princessmommy2two]

Hi everyone! New here! DH and I are interested in adding to our family of 2 biological DD's (7 and 8) through fostering to adopt a boy between the ages of 2 and 6.

We are very early in the process (first meeting with our agency on Tuesday), but I'm wondering about guns in the house. DH is a hunter. We have his hunting rifles stored in a locked cabinet. We also have a handgun, which we keep under our bed. It is in a case that is very hard to open for little fingers. Our daughters have been raised to respect guns and would never dream of even trying to get into the case, but obviously a foster child would be different, so in that case, we'd move that gun into the locked case as well.

Will that be good enough....having them all locked up?

[dachshunds4you]

We don't have them, but I remember something from the class about them having to be locked in a cabinet/container, and bullets locked in a separate container from the guns.

They will definitely let you know the rules in your area. Some are different in other states.

[princessmommy2two]

Originally Posted by dachshunds4you

We don't have them, but I remember something from the class about them having to be locked in a cabinet/container, and bullets locked in a separate container from the guns.

They will definitely let you know the rules in your area. Some are different in other states.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but that seems kind of pointless when it comes to the handgun. I'm not going to keep the bullets locked separately from the gun. The point of the handgun is for personal protection. If I first have to unlock the cabinet, and THEN unlock the bullet cabinet and THEN load the gun....well...I've wasted a whole lot of time if someone is in my house.

We don't live in a high crime area or anything, but I'm hopeful that locking up the gun will be enough and they won't see the need for that ridiculous extra step with the bullets.

I'll have to check the rules with my organization when I go to the meeting Tuesday.

[saj]

Not offended, but if you hope to foster, you will need to lock the guns. We moved all of our guns out of the house completely while we were fostering. It was just easier because of the house inspection, homestudy etc. Once you have adopted, you may do as you see fit.

[Sdirector]

You can purchase a finger lock safe, that requires adult length fingers to open a simple combination. These are good for safety, and you can keep a loaded gun in there in condition zero or one. For those who don't know what that is, that is a loaded magazine, one in the chamber (condition one) and hammer back (condition zero). This is a good compromise between safety and keeping the gun safe from those who shouldn't have it.

For some more money, you can purchase a fingerprint safe. These require the fingerprint of the correct person to open. These open very quickly, and only for the right person. Again, you can store the gun inside loaded in condition zero or one, and have quick access to it if needed for defensive purposes.

I would stay away from trigger locks, as they generally just provide a false sense of security.

Funny story... I have a concealed weapons permit, and carried a gun when I was in another business, in which I carried cash and had control of inventory. I generally carried it everywhere I went, unless it was posted as prohibited at the door per state law. One day, I took one of my children to the pediatrician's office for a visit with my wife. The nurse practitioner is asking all of these questions that they ask, and they got around to asking about guns. "Do you have guns?" I should have probably just said no, but I answered truthfully. "Where are they kept?" My answer that I wanted to give was "none of your business," but I was nicer. I think that I said "safely stored." She should have gotten the hint with that, but she persisted. "You need to have them unloaded, locked up, and bullets stored separately... do you do that?" I said again, I have it stored safely. She got the hint, and then moved on.

I told my wife I was going to tell her that it was on me, carried inside the wasteband at the 2;00 position, and was loaded and ready to protect myself or my family if threatened. Therfore, my kids will not get it, but they all have been trained in what to do with a gun (don't touch, treat it as loaded, point muzzle always in a safe direction.) My wife is glad that I didn't say that!

OK, I'll get off my soapbox. With foster children, you need to be aware of the differences in their needs and abilities to handle the thought that guns are in the house, or their possibilities of violent behavior... you don't know them. Use one of the quick locking methods that I mentioned. Keep in mind, that those children are yours to protect as well.

Again, I do not mean to offend, but watching certain foster children can place you in danger of certain violent bio parents as well. Everyone needs to chose the vigilance that they are comfortable with, and that keeps everyone safe.

[Hadley2]

[See reply below csisemore]

[csisemore]

We had our first homestudy and we were told that the guns and the ammo had to be locked up. We have a gun safe and also have a few out on a gun rack. however they are also locked up with a gun lock that they give out for FREE at our local library.

[Hadley2]

Originally Posted by princessmommy2two

We also have a handgun, which we keep under our bed. It is in a case that is very hard to open for little fingers. Our daughters have been raised to respect guns and would never dream of even trying to get into the case, ...Will that be good enough....?

NO.

That is not good enough.

[alex9179]

A handgun under the bed is a recipe for disaster. My little 10 yr old nephew recently shot his 7 yr old friend in the face with just such a set up.
They can get the case open, they can load a gun, and a tragedy is in the making.

I know it's not a popular opinion with gun adocates, but guns need to be locked up, the key on your person and/or the ammo locked separately.

My family is in turmoil now because this wasn't seen as a necessity.

[Sdirector]

Alex9179, I am very sorry for what your family is going through! That was definitely a tragedy that did not need to happen!

Another way to prevent these tragedies is to teach children respect for guns. With your own children, this is a must if you keep guns in the house. Showing children these rules openly demysifies the gun, and they won't go seeking it out of curisoity. I understand that is not (always) possible with foster children, so it is important to make sure that everyon stays safe.

Any of the locking case methods that I mentioned above will fit the needs for safety, both with the gun from being in the hands of those that it shouldn't, and for the need to get to it quickly if needed in an emergency. These types of cases are a safe on their own, and not simply a case to hold the gun that is "hard to open."

[princessmommy2two]

Originally Posted by Sdirector

You can purchase a finger lock safe, that requires adult length fingers to open a simple combination. These are good for safety, and you can keep a loaded gun in there in condition zero or one. For those who don't know what that is, that is a loaded magazine, one in the chamber (condition one) and hammer back (condition zero). This is a good compromise between safety and keeping the gun safe from those who shouldn't have it.

For some more money, you can purchase a fingerprint safe. These require the fingerprint of the correct person to open. These open very quickly, and only for the right person. Again, you can store the gun inside loaded in condition zero or one, and have quick access to it if needed for defensive purposes.

I would stay away from trigger locks, as they generally just provide a false sense of security.

Funny story... I have a concealed weapons permit, and carried a gun when I was in another business, in which I carried cash and had control of inventory. I generally carried it everywhere I went, unless it was posted as prohibited at the door per state law. One day, I took one of my children to the pediatrician's office for a visit with my wife. The nurse practitioner is asking all of these questions that they ask, and they got around to asking about guns. "Do you have guns?" I should have probably just said no, but I answered truthfully. "Where are they kept?" My answer that I wanted to give was "none of your business," but I was nicer. I think that I said "safely stored." She should have gotten the hint with that, but she persisted. "You need to have them unloaded, locked up, and bullets stored separately... do you do that?" I said again, I have it stored safely. She got the hint, and then moved on.

I told my wife I was going to tell her that it was on me, carried inside the wasteband at the 2;00 position, and was loaded and ready to protect myself or my family if threatened. Therfore, my kids will not get it, but they all have been trained in what to do with a gun (don't touch, treat it as loaded, point muzzle always in a safe direction.) My wife is glad that I didn't say that!

OK, I'll get off my soapbox. With foster children, you need to be aware of the differences in their needs and abilities to handle the thought that guns are in the house, or their possibilities of violent behavior... you don't know them. Use one of the quick locking methods that I mentioned. Keep in mind, that those children are yours to protect as well.

Again, I do not mean to offend, but watching certain foster children can place you in danger of certain violent bio parents as well. Everyone needs to chose the vigilance that they are comfortable with, and that keeps everyone safe.

You're absolutely right. A finger safe is a great idea for the handgun. I think that's the route we'll go, if they'll allow it.

Like I said, I have no problem locking up the other hunting rifles and ammo safely, but I do want access to my handgun quickly in case of something crazy happening.

We live in a very safe area, but just last year in our very safe area, a teenager broke into a home and killed 3 members of a family. Still don't know the motive (it hasn't gone to trial yet).

I take gun safety, as well as the safety of everyone in my home VERY seriously. That means safety FROM guns and safety ABOUT guns.

[princessmommy2two]

Originally Posted by alex9179

A handgun under the bed is a recipe for disaster. My little 10 yr old nephew recently shot his 7 yr old friend in the face with just such a set up.
They can get the case open, they can load a gun, and a tragedy is in the making.

I know it's not a popular opinion with gun adocates, but guns need to be locked up, the key on your person and/or the ammo locked separately.

My family is in turmoil now because this wasn't seen as a necessity.

Well, in theory, my kids probably COULD get the case open, if they worked hard enough at it, but they have no idea how to load the gun, and it is not stored fully loaded. You have to put the clip in and chamber a bullet before it's ready to fire and they have no clue how to do that.

Not only that, they would never DREAM of going after the gun, even out of curiosity. My kids have a healthy fear of guns. They fully understand the danger. The only gun they have ever touched is a BB gun and that is under close supervision. They know they're not even allowed to touch that without an adult.

I am SO, SO sorry for your tragedy. You're right. It was totally preventable, and I do realize that foster kids have not been raised the same way my kids have, therefore I will do absolutely everything to make them safe. In no way was I objecting to locking up my handgun more securely when I have other kids in the house. I was simply objecting to having to keep the ammo locked away from the gun, because that defeats the purpose of the gun for defense.

[princessmommy2two]

Originally Posted by Hadley2

NO.

That is not good enough.

I believe you misquoted me, and if you would have taken the quote in context, you'd see that I was NOT planning on keeping the handgun unlocked. I was simply hoping that locking the handgun with ammunition securely would be a good alternative to keeping it locked separately from the bullets.

[Hadley2]

No, I didn't misquote you. No lock is good enough.

Sdirector, it is ridiculous and arrogant to assume that the Alex's family was not as pro-gun and "responsible" as you in educating the children, training them on "gun safety," and building a healthy respect for weapons in them, etc.

The idea that the lives of children--bio or foster--no matter how well behaved, value-driven, responsible, well-taught, etc., can be trusted against this huge temptation is why so many children are shot, injured, and killed every year. I would venture to say that pretty much every parent who has experienced a child playing with guns in their house thought and said the very same things you are thinking and saying.

THEY WERE WRONG. Guns and children DO NOT MIX. Period.

The only way to keep ANY child--your "trained" ones or foster ones--safe from guns is to NOT HAVE THEM.

Foster parents should not have guns in the house. It is bad enough to risk your own family and guests in your home, IMO you do not have any "right" to risk a child entrusted to you.

[txwannabemom]

To answer your actual question:

Here in TX we were told that a locked box was not enough, and that the gun & ammo must be stored in seperate locked containers.

I know that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense in terms of having access to the weapon should you need it. But it is the rule here. And follow it we must.

And for everyone:
I would also like to point out that the NRA has a gun safety course for children that I think ALL children should have knowledge of. Many homes have guns in them, and you may never know it. Whether you have guns in your home or not, children need to be aware of gun safety so that they are aware of the danger & how to stay out of danger when they see one. Because they will see one.


Basis of knowledge: Grew up in a house with guns, teacher of a child (5 yrs old) who loaded his dads gun & shot himself in the leg on accident (never would have pegged them for gun owners), gun owner (though not in the house, kept safely stored (DCFS approved) at my parents ranch).