Thursday, November 5, 2009

The NRA vs. Florida Adoption Agencies

The Miami Herald reports on the latest legislation sponsored by the NRA.

The National Rifle Association is pushing legislation to ban adoption agencies from asking potential parents if they have guns and ammunition in the home.

NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer said adoption agencies are violating gun-owners' rights by asking about firearms in an adoption form. She said any request about gun ownership from an agency connected with government was tantamount to establishing a gun registry.

"Gun registration is illegal in Florida,'' Hammer said. "An adoption agency has no right to subvert the privacy rights of gun owners.''


What's your opinion? Isn't that a bit of a stretch calling it "tantamount to establishing a gun registry?" It sounds like the real reason is fear of discrimination based on the fact that the prospective parents are gun owners. But, couldn't it work both ways? Gun people say owning a firearm makes them better able to protect their families. What if the adoption agency is of that opinion? In that case not owning a gun could be a liability.

Some longtime NRA opponents, like Democratic Sen. Nan Rich, said she did not like the idea of banning an agency from simply asking about gun ownership. "Parents frequently ask if other parents have guns in the home before their kids play there, so why can't an adoption agency just ask?'' Rich said.

Do you think that makes sense? Shouldn't the agency have as much information as possible in order to make the best decisions?

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.

5 comments:

  1. If the adoption agency asks if you own a gun, just say "No." Problem solved. No legislation required.

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  2. How about just replying: "Why? Do you you think I need a gun with this kid? What's he done?"

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  3. FWM, Thanks for a good laugh. That would make a great scene.

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  4. "Do you have guns" is a combination political and safety question.

    If they had already covered all the risks that were a bigger threat than firearms ownership among people screened as thoroughly as their prospective adoptive parents, I'd be OK with asking that question. Otherwise it is similar to "Who did you vote for?"

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  5. Sevesteen - Exactly. It's like my physician asking if I have any firearms in my home.

    It's none of his damn business.

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