Protecting Your Children From Guns

The idea of your child being around a gun may sound strange, but with approximately 250 million guns in the United States it's important to teach children what to do if they encounter a firearm.  Even if you don't have a gun in your home, there could be a firearm in the home of one of your children's friends.  Teaching your child what to do if their friend begins playing with a gun could mean the difference between life and death.

Things to tell your children about guns:

• Don't touch it - Most children, as well as many adults, don't have the understanding needed to properly handle a firearm safely
• Leave the area immediately - This is not the time to discuss with their friend whether they should be handling or playing with a firearm.  Leaving the area will reduce the possibility that they are  hit with the bullet that is accidentally fired from the gun
• Tell an Adult - They should immediately tell an adult what is going on so the adult to get the gun from the child

Steps that gun owners can take to reduce the chances of a firearms accident:

• Properly secure all firearms in the home - A lockable safe is excellent for this purpose.  A safe will also reduce the chances that a criminal will steal the firearms in a burglary.  If a firearm is needed for quick access, as would be the case for self-defense purposes, there are several quick "keyed" accessible pistol or rifle safes on the market.  The safe can also be used other valuables while the owner is away.  Even a low cost safe properly installed in the home will greatly reduce the chances of having your firearms improperly handled or stolen.
• Take the time to talk to your children about the dangers of improper handling of firearms - Not that firearms in general are dangerous but the improper handling (outside of adult supervision) is dangerous.  Just as having your child unsecured in a vehicle or allowing them to play in the street, giving them access to a loaded weapon without adult supervision is a recipe for disaster.
• Free Gun Locks - You can pick them up at the Police Services Center located at 301 Jones Street.  Instructions on how the lock works is included with each gun lock.

Gun locks or any other lockable devices should not be relied upon to keep a firearm out the hands of a child.  As a parent, you know that children can be very resourceful and simply locking a gun away may not stop a child from accessing a firearm.  So, take the time to educate your children about firearms safety.