How to have a conversation about gun safety featuring Sara Bennett

Guidance on how to apply the tips we previously provided from Sara Bennett an educator, entrepreneur, and a suicide loss survivor.

Tips from Sara:

  1. Host a Pre-Playdate Conversation: Sara suggests modeling the behavior you want to see by hosting the playdate first. Before the playdate happens, have a pre-conversation with the other parent about general safety, and if you own guns, be open about your rules for safe storage. This approach sets the tone for safety conversations and makes it easier to replicate the discussion when your child visits their house.

  2. Prioritize Pre-Conversations: Avoid awkward doorstep conversations by having the safety talk with the other parent before the playdate. Using text as a communication channel for these pre-conversations can also help remove some of the discomfort associated with the topic.

Tips for the conversation

  1. Normalize the Conversation: Sara, says there is a need to make conversations about gun safety as common as discussing allergies or other safety hazards. She models this behavior by initiating playdates at her house, allowing her to set the tone for safety conversations with other parents.

  2. Frame It Around Child Safety: She also emphasizes the importance of incorporating gun safety into a wider conversation about child safety. This comprehensive conversation might include discussions about allergies, pets, swimming pools, and more.

  3. Be Specific and Propose Solutions: Sara highlights the need to seek specific details about gun storage if a household has firearms. She suggests that one should be aware of what constitutes safe storage—according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, firearms should be unloaded, locked away, and stored separately from ammunition.

  4. Offer Understanding: Sara emphasizes a non-judgmental approach. The focus isn't on whether households should own guns, but on ensuring the safe storage of firearms if they are present.

  5. Prioritize Safety: If there are any reservations or feelings of discomfort during the pre-conversation about gun safety, Sara recommends prioritizing safety over social engagements. She suggests alternatives such as public parks or returning to a known safe environment like their own home.