Mike Levin: “last month the American Academy of Pediatrics published a survey reporting that most parents believe that their children…”

“last month the American Academy of Pediatrics published a survey reporting that most parents believe that their children would not touch a gun they found. Unfortunately, these beliefs are inconsistent with other studies of the way kids actually react around guns, including a July 2002 report by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. The American Academy of Pediatrics survey reported that an estimated one third of American homes with children contain at least one firearm and nearly half of all firearms in homes with children are not stored safely. According to the article, 87 percent of respondents predicted that their children would not handle guns they found, whereas 13 percent predicted that there was a chance their children would do so. Researchers grouped parents' responses into three categories. First, 46 percent of respondents said 'my children would not touch guns because they're too smart for that.' Second, 35 percent said 'my children would not touch guns because I've told them not to.' And third, 11 percent said, 'my children would probably pick up or play with guns they found, because that's just what kids do.' However, the earlier David and Lucille Packard Foundation study demonstrated that children often do not behave as their parents might believe. In fact, according to the foundation's report, children and young people are actually likely to handle a gun if they find one. All parents want to ensure the safety of their children.”