Readers offer gun safety strategies
DEAR READERS: Today’s column is a continuation of yesterday’s about the importance of gun safety and parents feeling confident enough to raise the subject. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I am a physician and the mother of four curious, intelligent, energetic boys. I grew up in a small, conservative, gun-friendly community. My friends growing up all owned guns at young ages. Many of them today own guns for hunting or because they are first responders. I don’t fear the gun. I fear the person who doesn’t respect its power enough to secure it.
As parents, we have an obligation to ask parents where our child will be spending time: “Do you have a gun in your home? Yes? How is it stored?” What we should be doing is coaching each other how to ask politely without giving offense. I practiced asking because I think the subject is touchy, but it get easier with practice.
Abby, please encourage your readers to share their experiences and best advice. Over the years, I’ve developed a multitude of openings that allow me to go from funny to sincere quickly. The ultimate question, however, never varies:
■ “I’m so sorry to be ‘that’ mom, but since we don’t know each other well, I need to ask about a safety issue. Please understand that my question isn’t a judgment — just something I need to ask. Do you keep guns in your home, and if so, how do you secure them?”
■ “This may be me just being overprotective, but the news lately has me fearful. Do you keep guns in the house, and if so, how do you secure them?”
■ “I love how well our boys play together! It’s fun to see their energy have an outlet. But I have a question before their playdate. It always makes me a little uncomfortable, so please forgive me if this seems forward. Do you keep guns on the premises, and if so, how do you secure them?”
This is information-gathering so I can make an informed decision. I want all parents to feel empowered to ask these questions, and I know that MY asking prompted at least two moms to re-evaluate the way they stored guns in their own homes. — Kemia Sarraf, MD, MPH
DEAR ABBY: All of the major national health organizations have defined gun violence as a public health epidemic. The protocol for health care providers is to teach parents to ask about guns when children are going to another home to visit. This is a public health issue, NOT a political one! — Lisa Kiser, CNM, WHNP
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. Dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.