Guns & Kids

Always lock your firearms when they are not being used. Lock ammunition in a safe place away from firearms. At an age-appropriate time, show your children a gun, and explain what it can do. You do not have to teach that the gun is "bad," only that it is a tool that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Nevertheless, do not assume that your child will not find your gun, will not be able to fire your gun, will not know how to make it work, or will remember the lessons you have taught. Very small children have fired guns accidentally. "I told them not to touch it" is not a good defense.  

Always assume that your firearm is loaded -- and handle it that way -- even if you are absolutely certain you have emptied all the bullets. Many people have been killed by a bullet accidentally left in the chamber. "I didn't know it was loaded" is not a good defense.  

Use a good locking device that is appropriate for the children living in your house. Do not depend on it as a sole safety measure. "I didn't think he knew how to work the lock" is not a good defense.  

Never ever point a firearm at anyone in fun. Always point your firearm in a safe direction. Remember that a wall is not a safe direction. A distant tree in a public woods is not a safe direction. An animal that you can't clearly identify is not a safe direction. Bullets easily go through most walls and can injure or kill someone on the other side. It's easy to miss the tree and hit a person hiking. Hunters have accidentally killed horseback riders, thinking they were deer. You are liable for wherever your bullets go. "I didn't know she was on the other side" is not a good defense.  

Teach your children that if they see a gun, they should not touch it, and they should immediately leave the area to go tell an adult. Teach them that guns are not toys, and that if a friend wants to show them a gun, they should immediately leave the area and go tell an adult. Impress on your child that this is not tattling -- this could easily save the friend's life or your child's own life. Do not avoid teaching these important lessons to your child or pretend that guns do not exist. They do, and they can be dangerous in the wrong hands or if handled improperly.  

Do not assume that other adults think the same way you do. Before letting your child play at someone's house, ask if there are firearms in the home and where they are. It's a difficult question to ask -- particularly of people you barely know -- but asking this question could save your child's life. Remember that other adults have guns in their home. Other adults lock guns and ammunition together. Other adults keep loaded guns in a nightstand next to their bed or even under their pillow. Other adults have not taught their children important lessons about guns. These other adults will include people you wouldn't think would own guns. "I didn't even know they had a gun" will not bring your child back to life.