Guns and Butter Blog

Another ridiculous anti-gun article in WaPo in classic "Save the Kids!" routine:

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that pediatricians ask parents about guns in the home as part of what it calls "anticipatory guidance" -- attempts to keep children safe in cars, on bikes, around swimming pools and elsewhere. Some groups are encouraging parents to ask other adults in homes where children will be playing whether guns are present and how they are stored -- a conversation experts say they know many parents are reluctant to have for fear of seeming intrusive or alarmist.

Fairfax pediatrician James Baugh said he stopped asking parents about guns because many seemed annoyed and most told him they knew what to do. Occasionally, he said, a parent told him she kept a gun under her pillow.

Stuart Weich, a partner in one of Montgomery County's biggest pediatric practices, said he often asks gun questions, especially when he interviews teenagers whom he sees separately from their parents.

"In 15 years I can only think of a handful of parents who actually admitted it," said Weich. "I know they're out there.

Hopkins's Vernick said that a public service campaign known as "ASK" -- Asking Saves Kids -- is trying to persuade parents to inquire about guns in the homes of their children's playmates.

"This is about slowly trying to change norms," he said. "Twenty years ago no one would have thought it was normal or socially acceptable to have a designated driver or take away a friend's keys."

Okay. Far more children die from car accidents, falling or drowning. How come they don't ask about cars (or seat belts), stairs or swimming pools. ("Do you have a swimming pool at home?") Or, for that matter, common household chemicals. Or chainsaws. Or knives. Or... you get the point.

But, nooooo. They should only ask about the eeeevil guns. Call it ignorance, call it irrational fear of guns, call it leftist ideological motive against guns disguised as a concern for your children. Call it whatever you will. It's just not common sense.

The article is right about one thing. Children are naturally curious. There is no way one can child-proof a gun. But you can gun-proof a child by taking a kid to shoot under adult superivision, remove the element of forbidden mystery, teach the kid to handle a gun safely and demonstrate the awe-inspiring noise, recoil and power of a gun. That, in my view, will be far safer for kids than engaging in hysterical nonsense about asking parents intrusive personal questions.