Guns And Kids: A Deadly Pair

Each year, thousands of young people are killed with guns.  Some of these deaths are suicides, some are murders, and some are the result of unintentional shootings.  Regardless of the reason the gun is fired, multiple people die every hour because of guns.  Many people simply do not know how to handle a gun safely, and young people frequently have no understanding of the consequences a gun can bring.

Think about what you see on television and in the movies.  Often, people who have been shot get back up and walk again.  For a child who doesn't yet understand death, this image can cause them to think that guns are essentially harmless.  If a child finds a gun, he could casually use it, having no clue as to what the consequences are.  For this reason, it is essential that children not come in contact with guns.

Guns in the Home
As dangerous as they are, some people own guns for hobbies such as hunting or collecting.  If this is the case in your family, be sure that the guns are kept in a hidden and securely locked box.  When storing your guns, always be absolutely certain that they are unloaded, and that the ammunition is stored in a locked box that is in a different location from the guns themselves.

Most safety experts recommend that people who live with children safely dispose of all the guns in the house.  Frequently, parents who own guns will hide them, but kids are curious and they will eventually find them.  Children who don't live with guns also run the risk of coming in contact with firearms either at a friend's house or on the street.  For this reason, it is important that every child learn about gun safety.

Talk to your Kids
First of all, tell your children that they have no reason to touch a gun.  Explain to them that accidents happen all the time, so that even if they just hold a firearm, they are risking their lives.  Tell them that guns go off for unexplained reasons, so they should never hold or even go near a gun.  Make sure they know how much you love them, and that you want them to always be safe.

After that, it is important that you make kids understand death, as best as they can.  Use an example such as the family cat that died or a grandparent they have lost.  Explain to them that death means a person will never come back.  Tell them that even if they are mad at someone, they should never use a gun on that person.  Make sure they know that anger will fade, but a person will never come back to life.

Tell your kids that it is illegal to use a gun without a permit, and that they could be put in jail if they did so. 

In the end, your children will make their own decision.  But as a parent, you have more influence than you think.  Use that influence to keep your kids away from guns.