Foster parenting and guns

[Zundfolge]

Over on The High Road, there was a little thread about weapons in foster homes ( http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5173615 )

I'm left with a bunch of questions after reading that, so I figured I'd bring the questions over here (since they're Colorado specific).


First of all, as I understand it, as a Foster Parent (or any child care provider) in Colorado you're not allowed to keep any firearms loaded in the home, nor in a vehicle while the foster child is there.
Furthermore, any firearms kept in the home have to be both unloaded and rendered inoperable with the ammo stored separate.

Based on those rules it seems to me that concealed carry and keeping a loaded handgun in a gunvault type quick access safe are verboten.


I was wondering if anyone here fosters, or has had any actual experience with the foster care system here in Colorado.


Also I was wondering if these draconian rules (assuming that's what they are) apply to adoption as well?



Finding actual quoted law online is difficult. I found reference to the law here http://tinyurl.com/79utto on page 24



My wife and I are unable to have children and have discussed possibly becoming foster parents, but I refuse to give up by basic rights and leave my family less safe to do it (seems asinine to me to disarm foster parents ... I guess protection by parents is something the state doesn't want foster kids to have).

[Aloha_Shooter]

I don't know about fostering but I know adoption rules require firearms and ammo to be locked up at all times in separate containers (a couple friends of mine applied for adoption and had to go through the whole process including home inspections). I would interpret that to mean you're right about concealed carry and loaded storage being verboten. You might get away with keeping the home defense pistol in a gunvault and the clips in a locked drawer but you'll have to ask.

[Ridge]

A member on AR15.com (LouisianaCarry) had a foster kid who found the key to the safe and actually took 2 pistols from the safe and horded them in his room along with lots of other things, and also walked around the neighborhood carrying the firearm...kid was arrested and spent some time in juvie, but the member has invited the boy back :S

[BadShot]

I would say talk to the Foster Management agency whomever they are. They should be able to better supply the appropriate state law and or regulation.

[dmeis]

I went through the process. Never had a problem. I keep my stuff locked up and out of reach.

I even bought my son his own .22 rifle. They thought it was great. No worries.

[Zundfolge]

I don't know about fostering but I know adoption rules require firearms and ammo to be locked up at all times in separate containers (a couple friends of mine applied for adoption and had to go through the whole process including home inspections). I would interpret that to mean you're right about concealed carry and loaded storage being verboten. You might get away with keeping the home defense pistol in a gunvault and the clips in a locked drawer but you'll have to ask.

I can see them inspecting the house before an adoption, but AFTER an adoption does the state have any more power over you than they'd have over biological parents?

[sniper7]

I can see them inspecting the house before an adoption, but AFTER an adoption does the state have any more power over you than they'd have over biological parents?


kind of what I was thinking. The whole process..."I don't own any firearms" or you only have 1 pistol for protection. after the fact that you adopt the whild is legally yours, you are not in the process and the kid is considered your own.
At this point how could they limit your other rights? I don't see how and I would want to see what they come up with. You have the constitutional right to own firearms, you aren't a convicted felon.

look at the forms you fill out when purchasing a new gun or any gun from a dealer...doesn't say a thing on it about foster parent, parent of an adopted child etc. etc.
The CBI doesn't check into it