Introducing your children to your firearm
If this is your first gun, it will feel especially nerve-wracking to imagine showing your kids and telling them about what it means to own a firearm and how they are expected to behave around them. They may have a lot of questions about why you decided to bring a gun into your home.
It’s okay to be open and honest with your children about your reasons. You can explain to them that you decided to get a gun for safety reasons, or because you enjoy shooting as a hobby. It’s important to be clear about why you have chosen to own a firearm so that they understand your decision and can respect it. However, it is not recommended to elaborate on your fear of intruders or other specific safety issues as that may create unnecessary fear in your children.
Kids rules for gun safety
You should explain to your children that guns are not toys and should only be handled under your supervision. It’s also important to reinforce the rule that they should never point a gun at anyone, even if it’s not loaded. You can use the NRA’s Eddie the Eagle’s GunSafe program to help teach your kids these rules in a fun and engaging way.
- Stop
- Don’t Touch
- Run Away
- Tell a Grown Up
Rules for Parents
As a parent, it is your responsibility to model responsible gun handling behavior whenever the firearm is in view. This means always keeping the gun unloaded and stored in a locked location that is out of reach of children, unless you are discussing it together as a family. You should also never keep the key to the lock for your safe in an easily accessible place. When you do need to use the gun, make sure it is accessible only to you or another approved and competent adult.
As a parent, you will need to remind your children about the safety rules on a regular basis. Review gun safety as the same time as your emergency plan including fire or severe weather drills. By knowing the rules and having a plan, your children don’t need to be afraid of the fact that there is a gun in the house and will know what to do if they come across one elsewhere.
Kids Firearm Courses
Some gun ranges offer introductory firearm courses specifically for kids. These can be a great way to teach your children about gun safety in a controlled environment. Many of these courses include supervised shooting so that your children can get some experience handling a firearm under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor.
