The truth is that most Americans want the senseless violence among our youth and in our country to stop. That is where responsible ownership, firearm education and safe storage is a contributing solution for all of us.
Part of educating current or potential gun owners includes teaching these basic safety rules:
- Treat a firearm as if it’s loaded, even when you’re POSITIVE it is not.
- Keep it pointed in the safest direction at all times.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until or unless you are 100% ready to take a shot.
- Know your target and the surrounding area.
- Learn the mechanical workings, such as how to load and unload it, as well as how to clear a malfunction.
- Store your gun and ammunition securely, so that no unauthorized use can occur.
Some common sense rules that are important to remember are as follows:
- Do not handle a weapon if you are depressed..
- Do not shoot in the air for celebration – what goes up will come down.
- Don’t shoot at flat or hard surfaces where a projectile could ricochet.
- Never hand a firearm to someone, or take it from someone, until you’ve verified that it’s unloaded and the chamber’s clear.
- Alcohol, drugs and certain other medications are NEVER a good mix with a firearm.
- When shooting, stay behind the line of fire. Proximity too close, may cause hearing or sight damage; so wear protection.
The bottom line is that responsible ownership means that you can never be too careful or too cautious with any type of weapon. If you own or are interested in owning a firearm, talk to your children about what responsibility and safety mean in terms of any weapon. Don’t assume you have it hidden where they’ll never find it, and so it’s therefore safe. They will find it and because it was never discussed, it could become a fascination for them. Along these same lines, teach kids the differences between real and make believe, as well as the very serious consequences that confusing the two can have, even if for just a moment in time.