How to Have Guns and Children

Many children are raised in homes where guns are present. The safety of these children lies in the parent's decision to safely store and handle these guns. In addition to properly securing guns, there must be serious conversations about gun safety with children.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gun safe
• Gun safety rules

1. Talk about the difference between real guns and pretend gun play. It may seem like common sense to adults, but children need learn that using a real gun, even in pretend circumstances, can result in real injury.

2. Lock guns in a secure gun safe. Keys for gun safes should be kept in a secure location, out of your children's reach.

3. Secure ammunition in a separate, locked location. Guns and ammunition should never be stored together.

4. Keep gun cleaning supplies in a locked location.

5. Teach your child the National Rifle Association's kid's rules for what to do when you find a gun: Stop, don't touch, remove yourself from the area and tell an adult.

6. Remind your children about gun safety rules often. Telling them once is not enough to ensure they will know what to do when they encounter a gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Be honest with your children about the reasons for gun rules in your home. Avoiding the details may heighten your child's curiosity and send them on their own dangerous search for answers.
• If your child is going to a friend's house to play, ask if they have guns in the house. It may be a little uncomfortable, but it is better to know what kind of safety precautions they have taken before allowing your child to play in their home.
• Gun cleaning supplies may contain poisonous substances and must be kept in a locked location, out of your children's reach.
• Always store guns and ammunition separately.

Resources

• Information on gun safety for children and accident prevention

[Das-Obsfucator]

on 1/12/2009 I raised four children in a house with lots of guns. The true situation is that for gun safety to exist, the children need to know that there are boundaries. If you are lacking in overall control and discipline with your children, locking up your guns will have little effect. You must establish that you are the parent, and that the child must do as they are told. This even works with children that are mentally handicapped. In the raising of my children, I never had a problem with any of the guns in my house. They knew that they were not toys, and that they were not to be handled.