Why is gun-owning community so opposed to being asked if they have guns?

spacemanspiff said:
Counter it with a question of how many knifes or matches they own and if they are secured.
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Just lie and say "No."

The problem with declining to answer, as I have posted multiple times before, is that you have no control with what the interrogator will do in response to that response. They might get huffy and tell you to find a new doctor. Or they might take it upon themselves to interpret the refusal to answer as a "Yes" and enter it on the form -- which is exactly what you DON'T want.

You are not under oath and a doctor is not a law enforcement officer (et, at least), so there is no penalty for lying. To borrow a phrase from a public service campaign of a few years ago, "JUST SAY NO."
 
Skans said:
There are a lot of things in and around a house with which kids are much more likely to harm themselves or others, much more so than guns: Flammable and caustic chemicals, power tools, lighters, vehicles, power outlets to name a few. When I was a kid, I never once touched someone's gun, but I created a lot of mischief with the things I listed.

So, yes it is obnoxious to ask someone if they have guns and if they are properly stored, without also asking about the other things I mentioned. How about drugs? Do you ask people if they have prescription drugs in their house before you let your kid visit and interrogate them on how their prescription drugs are stored? How about alcohol - do you ask if they have and how they store their alcohol? What about car keys? Cigarettes? Lighters? Fireworks? Nail Polish remover?
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^This.

Also if you don't trust an adult friend or family enough about their guns (if they have any) and how they secure it, you should probably not bring your kids there. There are way more other things in a typical home that can injure a child. Kitchen knives anyone???

As far as government or other public employee (doctors, dentists, etc), they have no business about what I own privately.
 
Certainly I agree,its "Nunyabinnis"for places like a doctors office.Handle it as you will.

The OP also stated the same,none of their business.

As I read the OP,his concern was more about the safety of his kids while visiting other peoples homes.

There may be several kids ,curious and trying to impress each other.You do not know who is getting into what.

My family went to a Christmas party at a University Department Head's home.He had a cap and ball revolver in a pistol rug hanging in his bedroom closet.The child of another guest snooped around and found it.Suddenly,this little kid ran up to my daughter,pointed it at her head,and started saying "bang bang".I disarmed him,then the kid;s father said"No big deal,its not loaded"
I told my former spouse"We have to leave,now,or you will lose your job,and I will be arrested"

Another tragic event,when I was a machinist,a cad designer's 12 yr old kid was playing with his .357.Another kid died.
It was quite real to me.

I'm a grandfather.One day my daughter(same daughter with cap and ball,30 yrs later )asked me what I thought about something.

She asked"I have some really good friends.They keep a loaded 9mm....(essentially,out and accessable) I don't feel comfortable leaving my daughter there for a party or sleepover.What do I do?"

My response:"You are the parent.Your child's safety is your responsibility.You do not have control over another person's home or guns,but you do make the decisions where your daughter goes.
Part of a friendship is being able to communicate.Perhaps you can discuss your concerns.
Delivering ultimatums or controlling someone elses home will not be well received.
But you do have a right to maintain the boundaries around your own daughter to ensure her safety.That is your call.You can ask for seat belts and car seats.You can ask for no alchohol if someone is driving her.You can ask for safe firearm storage if your daughter is present.Or,you can decline the invitation."

Its OK to decide you do not want your child at a party with 6 kids running around while a firearm is accessable to them.

Beats the heck out of "If only I had..."
 
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Growing up in a household with firearms, that question was never asked at least by my parents. Most of my friends and their fathers hunted also. I guess that's why nobody ever cared.

Nobody I knew ever locked up guns. In fact, we had them on gun racks in our bedrooms. How times have changed.

My doc never had to ask if I own guns, I open carry to the doctor's office. :eek:
 
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