Guns

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

---

• Over 500 children in the U.S. were killed while playing with handguns in 1994
• Nearly half of households in the U.S. have guns

Always:

• Treat every gun as if it’s loaded
• Never point a gun at someone or something you don’t intend to shoot at

Buying a gun:

If you are considering buying a gun for self-protection:

• Consider non-lethal alternatives (e.g. dog, pepper spray), especially if you have children

If you decide to buy a gun:

• Ensure a gun you buy for self-protection has child-proof trigger locks, and/or,
• will be kept in lockable case

Owning a gun:

If you own a gun:

• Realize it’s your responsibility to ensure a child never gets ahold of it
• Don’t keep guns:
  • Under a pillow
  • Under the bed
  • In an unlocked drawer
  • Loaded
• Put a trigger lock on the gun
• Take a firearms course to learn safe handling and storage of guns including any night vision equipment such as a night scope for AR15.
• Store sporting and hunting guns unloaded, securely locked away, with ammunition stored and locked separately

Parents/adults:

• Don’t depend on others to teach your child about the dangers of guns
• Realize that children are fascinated by guns
• Realize that sooner or later your child will probably encounter a gun
• Explain to your children that shootings on TV and in movies are pretend, that real guns kill
• Tell your child that if he/she sees a gun to:
  • Stop
  • Not touch it
  • Run away and tell an adult
• Teach your child to treat every gun as if it’s real and loaded ‚Ä¢ real guns are often smaller than toy guns

Before letting your child visit a friend’s house:

• Ask if they have guns in the house
• Tell your child that if they’re in a friend’s house and they see a gun, they must leave or call you right away

---

EXPLORE: At Home