How to Talk to Children About Gun Safety

As many as 10 children are killed each day by guns in the United States. Here are some ways you can provide children the information they need to stay safe.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Ask your children if they have ever seen a gun at a friend's house or at school.

2. Remind them never to touch any gun or bullets.

3. Tell them to leave immediately if they ever see a gun in someone else's home.

4. Stress the fact that guns can kill.

5. Explain the difference between toy guns and real ones.

6. Encourage children to tell you if they ever feel unsafe at home or at school.

7. Talk to them about violence in television, movies and videogames and prompt them to discuss their feelings.

8. Encourage them to make safe decisions.

9. Invite them to come to you whenever they have further questions.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with other parents to find out if they have a gun in their home before your children visit.
• Help choose programs, movies and games that are non-violent.
• Be a positive role model at home.
• Encourage games and activities that teach good decision-making skills.
• Be on the lookout for signs of depression, since suicide is one of the common causes of youth handgun death.
• Consult a professional if you feel your child seems disturbed or exhibits any signs of being suicidal.

[superdadbrad]

on 7/29/2009 if your kid never touches a gun the chances of shooting themselves in the face goes down to 0%.

If you teach your child to avoid guns, they won't need gun handling skills.

If there are no guns in the house the chances they touch one is 0%

[emclean]

on 6/3/2008 You need to check your numbers again. There were 278 kids (age 24 and below) killed by accidental discharge of a firearm in 2005, only 75 of witch were below 14. it is still a tragedy that these children are killed by preventable means, but you are greatly exaggerating the problem.

Reference http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_10.pdf page 34.


You also left out that the best way to protect your childe is to gun proof them. all of your steps are appropriate for young children, but older kids (12 and up) are able to safely handle a weapon, if taught properly. If you do not know how to teach them, look into your local 4H, scouting, or other youth group that dose shooting sports. Speaking as a cub scouts shooting sports instructor, the child’s safety is our main goal.

[RockinJay414]

on 10/23/2007 I've found that if you talk to your child on the extreme dangers of guns without giving them hands-on instruction with quadruple-checked unloaded weapons, they just don't get it. For me, what worked was them seeing the weapons up close and having the hands-on experience of learning how and why it works the way it does. I am proud to say that my kids and my relatives' kids (that wanted to learn) have extremely competent gun handling skills. All questions are answered with the utmost seriousness and sincerity, and they are all quizzed on a regular basis on safety rules, type of gun, all of the parts and what they do, and other basics. I don't hide the fact that I have them, and they know that if they want to see them, all they have to do is ask. I actually trust all of them with my life if they have no other choice but to pull the trigger. BTW, I'm NRA combat/safety certified.

on 8/8/2006 Take your kid out and let them shoot off a couple of rounds at a tree or something. Usually they will get scared because of the sound. Then take them back home and tell them about how dangerous guns are. Or, you could imprint into their minds that they are a pacifist. I wouldn't suggest that though. If you want, you could show your kids some pictures of people that have been shot, and people that have been killed by guns.

on 6/30/2006 Take your kid out and let them shoot off a couple of rounds at a tree or something. Usually they will get scared because of the sound the bullets make when they do off. Then take them back home and tell them about how dangerous guns can be. Or you could imprint into their minds that they are a pacifist. You could show your kids some pictures of people that have been shot, and people that have killed by guns.