It is your right to bear arms, and proudly, but there are ways to do it safely when children (or anyone uneducated in guns/suffering from mental illness) reside in your home. Approximately one third of American households with children have guns, and nearly 2 million children live in homes that have unlocked, loaded guns, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Don’t hide the fact guns are in the house
Teaching children and other household members proper gun safety is a much better alternative to assuming not talking about it will help matters. It is important for everyone to know that guns are not scary when used properly, and in fact used for sport and protection. Sometimes the media scares people into judging households that have guns, but there is nothing wrong with it, nothing to be ashamed of, when it is done safely and properly. Proudly rock that american flag shirt or NRA bumper sticker.
Store guns safely and properly
Keep all guns in your house unloaded and locked up, with the ammunition locked in a separate location. Hide the keys to the gun in a third and separate location. Not only are children curious, they could come across a loaded gun and have the strength to accidentally fire it. You also have to consider depression and mental illness. In fact, most preteens and teens who kill themselves using a gun find it in the house, or in a relative/friend’s house. Education close friends and relatives on gun safety, particularly if you have mental health concerns about anyone in the household. Ways to ask friends and relatives without coming across rudely are: “My kid is pretty curious. Are there any guns or anything else dangerous he or she could get themselves into? Or “My child’s doctor recommended that I check to ensure there are no guns accessible where my child plays, do you have any and if so, are they locked away safely?” Also, if you keep a gun in your car, make sure it’s stored in a lockable container. If it’s on you, make sure it stays in your possession at all times.
Teach children how to properly use guns
Some people choose to teach their children young how to safeuly use guns, whether it be for hunting or target practice. When teaching your children or family member, always keep the safety catch in place until they are absolutely ready to fire it. Always unload the gun before setting it down. Emphasize every aspect of gun safety. Keep in mind children still cannot fully comprehend the importance of gun safety or some of the risks, so they must never be unsupervises. They see guns in video games, movies, and on the media and may get the impression that they are fun or “cool” to have. It’s important not to romanticize guns and to emphasize the importance of gun safety.
Lastly, make sure with proper use that it is still a fun and enjoyable hobby should you take your family or children to a range or spend quality time teaching them how to hunt.
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