Firearms or other types of dangerous weapons are discouraged in foster and prospective adoptive homes. The department or child placing agency shall be notified by any foster or prospective adoptive parents if they or a resident in their home possess, prior to licensure or approval or obtained subsequent to licensure or approval, a firearm or other type of dangerous weapon. A foster or prospective adoptive parents shall ensure that:

1. (1) Firearms and ammunition shall each be locked in separate places inaccessible to all children; firearms;
2. (2) whenever practicable, firearms are equipped with a trigger guard lock;
3. (3) other types of dangerous weapons shall be unstrung or unloaded and shall be stored in locked containers out of the reach of children; and, (4) keys to the locked storage area of firearms, other types of dangerous weapons, trigger guards, and ammunition shall be kept in the secure possession of an adult or reasonably secure from children.

(Effective February 20, 1997)