While we all know that firearms can
be a divisive issue, everyone agrees that we want to keep kids safe.
Kids by their nature are interest
and curious. That said, why would it be
any different when it comes to their curiosity about firearms? We all know that kids see guns on TV, movies, and maybe even at their
friend’s house and other situations that you are not aware of. It is vital that YOU discuss firearm safety with your
kids. Discussing firearms and their use
on TV and video games with children is important as well. Guns are often
improperly handled, and most children are not able to tell the difference
between being killed on TV and being killed in real life.
If they don't learn about gun safety from you,
they will learn it from someone else. Likely other kids, TV and video games. Having this conversation with your kids
about gun safety will make your kids, your family, and our community a lot
safer.
I get asked all the time what the appropriate age
to start teaching children about gun safety is.
It is my belief that the earlier the better - however it is not about
the age as much as it is about YOUR child’s maturity level. I also believe that
when discussed, taught, and even handled at an early age, the child is more
likely to follow the safety rules you have taught them when you are not around.
The conversation of course needs to be age
appropriate, your description about firearm safety will be different for
preschool children than it will be for teenagers. For all kids, no matter what
age, there are a few things you can do to make this a significant talk for you
and your family
Getting
Ready:
•
This does not need
to be a lecture, but kids need to know that it is a serious topic.
•
If you have other
adults in the home, get everyone on the same page. This will ensure that your
children are learning the proper lessons from both parents.
•
Find a good time
and place where you and your kids won't be distracted. Remember that this is a
conversation, not a lecture.
•
Ask questions. Most
likely they already have questions, so invite them to ask questions, and have
questions to ask them as well.
•
Find out what they
already know or have heard, clarify the situation, then use example of real
life that will help them understand why we have rules about firearm safety.
•
Help them to
understand what to do in situations where you will not be there. Have a
plan of action. Your discussions on gun safety may be ALL they have to help
guide them in those situations.
•
WALK the talk, set
an example of proper and safe gun handling of firearms.
•
Reinforce your
conversation regularly, adding details and more mature conversation as your
kids get older.
•
Repetition is the
key, every month or so is not too often.
Preschool Kids:
The NRA has an excellent children's
gun safety program for Pre-K through third grade, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe®
Program.
The purpose for this gun safety
program is to provide the protection and safety of our children, our family and
our communities
You do not need to be a NRA member
and any one can obtain all the material to teach this program.
The program includes:
•
A
parent/instructor guide book
•
Activity
books
•
A
Poster
•
Animated
video to explain its four-step safety message.
For more information about the
program, visit
Or call (800) 231-0752
I suggest starting by watching one of the videos
posted below.
That gets the conversation going.
That gets the conversation going.
After watching it together open up with questions
to chat about.
•
What did the team
find?
•
What was in the
backpack?
•
What did they do
after they found the backpack.
•
Who was your
favorite character and why?
•
What is the song
they sing? Can you sing it?
Help them
understand a few fundamental rules:
When you see a gun:
•
STOP
•
DON’T Touch it
•
Leave the area
•
Go tell an adult.
Learn about gun safety with Eddie Eagle and the
Wind Team
▶ 8:22
Another
animated Gun Safety video
National
Shooting Sports Foundation video on gun safety
▶ 12:37
|
Remember REPETITION is key.
TEENS:
Many kids at this age may want to start by going
to the gun range. That is why education and plan of action is so important
before they ever encounter a gun.
Even if you don't have a gun at home, they may
see them at friend's house. YOUR instructions on gun safety may be
ALL they have to call on in those situations.
For teens, these lessons are very clear:
•
Don’t Touch, pick up or use a gun without an adult's
permission/supervision
•
Never ever point a gun a anyone
•
Always assume a gun is loaded and can fire
Watch the
video “It’s You Call” (link below) together.
Talk with your teens about situations that could
arise, and walk through options of what they would do in different scenarios.
National
Shooting Sports Foundations:
It's Your
Call: Playing It Safe Around Guns (grades 6-9)
|
PARENTS:
Think your kids are prepared for situation about
gun safety when you are not around? THIS
IS A MUST WATCH for ALL parents.
ABC 20/20 Program
▶
If you have a firearm in your home,
the safety of your children and the children that visit your home is your
responsibility. As the adult, it is your duty to understand and follow all laws
regarding gun purchases, ownership,
storage, and transport. Contact your state police and/or local police for
information regarding such laws. (Insert
link to law)
It is up to you so get started today.
Resources:
West Coast Armory North
Kid’s Safety Day
Project Child Safe
Own it, Respect It and Secure It
NRA:
Youth.nra.org Youth Programs
Eddieeagle.nre.org Young Kids
InSights Training Center;
Kids Safety School: 3 hr classes