5 Firearm Safety Tips That'll Keep You And Your Loved Ones Safe

January 5, 2025

In the US, 2,571 children lost their lives in gun violence in 2021, a 68% increase from 1,531 in 2000. With the number of firearms in American households reaching an all-time high, firearm safety is no longer a precaution – but a necessity that saves lives and prevents irreversible heartbreaks.

Want to keep your child and family members safe from getting harmed or even killed by firearms? Avoid keeping weapons in your home if you're going to keep your children safe from unintentional gunshots. However, if you decide to keep a gun at home, ensure it is kept securely.

Here are 5 Firearm Safety Tips That'll Keep You And Your Loved Ones Safe to significantly reduce the risk of potential harm and accidents.

5 Essential Firearm Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that the most efficient strategy to avoid juvenile suicide, gun violence, and accidental injury is to remove firearms from the household altogether. However, if a family decides to keep firearms, the AAP underlines the significance of taking extra care to protect children.

To make sure your children are safe, the following are seven firearm safety tips you can follow beyond just taking the gun away from their children.

1. Keep all of Your Firearms in a Secure Location

Did you know that if only firearms had been unloaded and kept locked in storage, two-thirds of unintentional child gun deaths could have been avoided? Keep your firearm locked up in a safe place; keep the ammunition in a different container.

Encouraging safe storage of firearms in gun safes can help reduce the risk of accidental gun injuries among family members, including children and teenagers. Guns should only be available to those who can handle them safely.

Gun cabinets, lock boxes, gun cases, and trigger and cable locks are all simple methods to keep a firearm secure. All of these strategies can lower the risk of gun-related injuries and fatalities. Still, a secured combination or in wall gun safe is the safest way to store a gun and ammunition.

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2. Keep Your Firearms Unloaded When Not in Use

The safest firearm is an unloaded one. So, you shouldn't load your gun even if they are in a gun safe until you're ready to fire—either in the field or at a target range. Always keep your firearms and ammo in a secure location when not in use.

It's crucial to safely lock both the firearm and the ammo in biometric handgun safes and keep them in different locations to prevent others from accessing them. It's your duty to prevent unauthorized adults and young people from obtaining weapons or ammunition.

While we understand that you want your guns loaded and ready to go in case someone breaks into your house, this little bit of inconvenience can greatly reduce the risk of firearm injury in your house.

3. Gun Safety Should Be a Topic of Frequent Family Conversations

The first line of defense in protecting your loved ones from harm is secure handgun storage. However, children are always curious. To them, everything that appears taboo could be a fascinating mystery. This is why it's critical to talk to your children about guns regularly.

Talk to your teen or adolescent about the dangers of guns when you discuss the risks of alcohol, drugs, or drunk driving. Make it clear to your child that they should never stay in an area where a weapon is visible, regardless of whether their friend assures them it is safe.

No matter how old your child is, just having a single conversation about gun safety isn't enough. Keep bringing it up whenever you're discussing other forms of safety.

4. Remember that You Can't Hide Your Guns

Most children have a good idea of where their parents or guardians keep their fingerprint gun safes. They always know, no matter how well you hide holiday presents or Halloween sweets. We can say the same thing about guns.

A 2017 study found that only 40% of family households with children who owned guns said their kids didn't know where the guns were kept. The problem is that a lot of the kids said they were aware of the guns and could get to them easily. Almost 75% of kids who grew up in a house with firearms hidden away are aware of its location.

Despite adults' best intentions, a 2017 survey indicated that 22% of parents incorrectly assumed their children had never touched a gun. So, believe us when we say it's never a good idea to tuck your firearms away.

5. Discuss With Others On How They Store their Firearms

As a parent, you should talk to anyone your child hangs out with about how they keep their gun safe if they have one. At first, this could be uncomfortable, mainly if you aren't familiar with the person. One awkward discussion, though, can save a life.

So, how exactly do you broach the subject of gun safety with grown-ups? Feel free to broach the subject as you would with any other broad safety issue.

Never assume that someone you know or love has the same views on gun safety as you do. Tell someone you know that your child cannot visit their house if they are not practicing proper gun storage. Remember, most of all, your child's safety is what counts.

Conclusion

Protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our children from harm is an obligation we all share when it comes to firearms. If you own firearms, we share the top 5 firearm safety that'll keep you and your loved ones safe.

These crucial firearm safety guidelines can help families drastically lower their risk of violence, suicide, and accidental harm. Remember, open communication, appropriate storage in handgun safes, and constant education are essential. Let's create a safer atmosphere at home and in the community.