NRA Against Adoption Questions

[redeye202]

Originally Posted by Bruce

I believe (I could be wrong, but from how I interpret the article) that this issue is with a private (rather than State run) agency and their "questionnaire".

I've asked my father for my adoption records. All I get is shrugged shoulders and a "your what?" look from him.

Bear in mind, I am asking him to recall back nearly 43 years about an undertaking that was handled mainly by my (adoptive) mother (whom I am not speaking with) and her mother (who past away about 17 years ago). All my dad can tell me is that my adoption was arranged prior to my birth through a lawyer, that I was born in Florida, and that he and my 'mother' flew down to Miami to pick me up the day I was born.

By the way - I wasn't informed that I was adopted until I was 40 years old.

My guess is - there was no questions about guns or outlet plugs or anything of the sort - probably just money changing hands (quite a bit of it, I am told) and legal documents signed, notarized and duly filed.

Also, remember, this was back in 1967; of course there was an 'anti-gun' movement back then, but it wasn't nearly as aggressive.

It wouldn't have mattered much in my case. There were no firearms in my home anyway. None of my relatives had any firearms. There weren't any hunters of any kind in my family. Heck, I wasn't even allowed to have cap pistols - ever - as a child (let alone a BB gun). I wasn't even allowed to have water pistols (unless they were shaped to look like anything but a "pistol"). My mother was (still is, I am certain) extremely "anti-gun".

I would be for a law like the one the NRA is backing. After reasonable interviews, background checks and everything else prospective adoptive couples have to go through, they should have more than enough information - no need for them to know if the parents actually own firearms.

The State of Florida already has a law against 'allowing minors access to a firearm', so it would be purely moot to discuss 'safekeeping' practices in any pre-adoptive "questionnaire". I can only conclude the question is asked for purely 'political' reasons.
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You are not alone brother,i knew i was adopted at a young age,however i did not know the particulars until both of my adoptive{sp} parents had passed away,be cool,the people who raised you ARE your mom and dad.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by redeye202

You are not alone brother,i knew i was adopted at a young age,however i did not know the particulars until both of my adoptive{sp} parents had passed away,be cool,the people who raised you ARE your mom and dad.

Let's just say that no two people's lives are quite the same.

I can honestly state that, from very personal experience, it is a really, really *bad* idea to withhold the truth about a child's adoption past adolescence. Being a teenager is just plain tough enough without the added mysterious and very confusing, and very real, powerful 'feeling' that you truly, really are a Stranger in a Strange Land compounded with your already discombobulated young and fragile psyche.

It's a unique feeling, sort of an innate knowledge, that only non-biological adoptees can ever really comprehend. If you were not biologically related to your 'parents', I am sure you understand.

Also, it is really weird, and I do mean ef'd up, to find out that you are the central element of a huge conspiracy that, for your entire life, your *entire* family (outside of my younger 'siblings' - who were/are 'biological' to my adoptive parents) was part of. In my case, all of my relatives (aunts, uncles, older cousins, et cetera) "knew", yet, while I distinctly recall being treated/regarded as a 'black sheep' by some, they never once said a word.

All that said, I do love my father (my "adoptive" father, though I have always called, and will only ever call, him "Dad") very much. He has treated me as though I were his first born son my entire life. He and I have a wonderful relationship (and it was easy to 'forgive' him).

And... let's just leave all that crap right there. 'Nuff said.

Most people have... an unusual, or at least an unusual relationship with their, family. Most people have a somewhat crappy childhood (or, at least, lots of unwanted memories of some pretty crappy parts of it). In this respect, I am like most everyone else on the planet.

For the official record, I'll reassert: I fully agree with the proposed new, NRA backed, Florida law. In fact, I think it should definitely be made a federal law!
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[redeye202]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Let's just say that no two people's lives are quite the same.

I can honestly state that, from very personal experience, it is a really, really *bad* idea to withhold the truth about a child's adoption past adolescence. Being a teenager is just plain tough enough without the added mysterious and very confusing, and very real, powerful 'feeling' that you truly, really are a Stranger in a Strange Land compounded with your already discombobulated young and fragile psyche.

It's a unique feeling, sort of an innate knowledge, that only non-biological adoptees can ever really comprehend. If you were not biologically related to your 'parents', I am sure you understand.

Also, it is really weird, and I do mean ef'd up, to find out that you are the central element of a huge conspiracy that, for your entire life, your *entire* family (outside of my younger 'siblings' - who were/are 'biological' to my adoptive parents) was part of. In my case, all of my relatives (aunts, uncles, older cousins, et cetera) "knew", yet, while I distinctly recall being treated/regarded as a 'black sheep' by some, they never once said a word.

All that said, I do love my father (my "adoptive" father, though I have always called, and will only ever call, him "Dad") very much. He has treated me as though I were his first born son my entire life. He and I have a wonderful relationship (and it was easy to 'forgive' him).

And... let's just leave all that crap right there. 'Nuff said.

Most people have... an unusual, or at least an unusual relationship with their, family. Most people have a somewhat crappy childhood (or, at least, lots of unwanted memories of some pretty crappy parts of it). In this respect, I am like most everyone else on the planet.

For the official record, I'll reassert: I fully agree with the proposed new, NRA backed, Florida law. In fact, I think it should definitely be made a federal law!
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Piont well made and taken. Peace.