Gelser, Guns, and Good God!

I have to wonder why, exactly, a foster care provider would have a gun in their home. It's not only extremely dangerous, but speaks of a very unatractive mind set. I also have to wonder why this bill doesn't also include adult foster care providers. Adults living in foster care are just as bullet proof as children. From the Oregonian...

Bill addressing guns in foster homes upsets some
Posted by Michelle Cole, The Oregonian February 05, 2009 07:00AM
SALEM --A proposal to allow the Oregon Department of Human Services to adopt rules regarding the storage and transportation of guns when foster children are present, doesn't even have a hearing date but it does have people talking.

House Bill 2530, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, would allow the state child welfare agency to regulate "the storage, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition in the presence of children placed in foster homes."

The proposal was introduced in the House Wednesday and follows a firestorm that erupted in 2007 after the agency attempted to adopt rules telling foster parents who also hold concealed weapons permits what they could or could not do with their guns. The agency backed off after an attorney general's opinion found only the Legislature has legal authority to regulate firearms.

Gelser said she introduced the bill to allow the agency to adopt certain gun storage and transportation requirements. She points out that the proposal also specifically states that the agency "may not deny or revoke certification of a foster home on the basis that a person possesses firearms or ammunition" or is licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

If anything, Gelser says, the bill would write a foster parent's right to own a gun clearly into Oregon law. But she admits that didn't soothe conservative radio host Lars Larson or some of his callers on Wednesday. --Michelle Cole;