Kids are remarkable creatures. They are crafty and inquisitive and able to accomplish way more than adults usually give them credit for. This ability is fantastic when the task at hand is macrame planters, not so great when we’re talking about locating a firearm and its holster and figuring out how to shoot it. Today we’re going to give you some tips for living in a home with both guns and children.
- Always lock them up and away. If you are not in direct control of the firearm, it needs to be locked away. On top of a shelf or under a sofa doesn’t count. Think your child doesn’t know it’s there and can’t reach it? Think again.
- Always store your ammunition and your guns separately. A gun without ammunition is just an expensive club. If there is no way to make the gun fire, no one can be shot.
- Teach your kids what to do should they find a gun. Stop. Don’t touch. Get away. Tell a trustworthy adult. “Stop” can buy them precious time to remember what else you’ve taught them. An undisturbed gun will not fire, making “don’t touch” vitally important. Kids need to know to “get away” from the gun, even if it means leaving a friend’s home abruptly in the middle of a playdate should they find a gun stuck in a couch.
- Unmask the mystery! Make the gun a part of your everyday life, and introduce your child to it early. Tell them they can handle it (don’t use the word ‘play’) whenever they want, as long as you are there with them. Let them watch you clean it, dry fire, and so on. Removing the mystery early is key.