#23 There has been many questions regarding gun safety with kids in a house. This is a system that has worked, and should continue to work with a little common sense on your part. Safety with guns. A little background on myself. I was raised with guns around the house, in a rural environment. I was taught from an early age that guns were nothing to play with. At age 5, I shot my first rabbit (with a .22 rifle, with Grandpa holding it for me, effectively doing all the aiming), and saw what a bullet does to flesh. Because I was taught respect for firearms at that early age, it carried on into my adult life. I've never even considered "going for a gun in the heat of anger", or as a solution to a problem. Guns are, to me anyway, simply a tool to hunt or target shoot with. I have great respect for firearms today, and the tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. I want to instil those same standards into my children. Tyler will be 5 years old on April 19th, and Rachel will be 2 on April 3rd. Ty has grown up with much more violence on TV than I did (I'll be 35 in May), but I don't think things have changed THAT much. After all, I DID grow up with John Wayne shooting it out with the Indians, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto killing the bad guys. The set and setting have changed on TV, but basically the hostility is still there. Just more graphic. So far (knock wood), my efforts are obviously working. Tyler takes great pride in telling people who ask him, that "I don't touch Daddy's guns because I know what's real and what's a toy gun. I know that guns are not to play with and that they can kill people. I know that if I ever play with one, Dad won't let me handle one until I'm very old!" For 4 years old, he's doing alright. The question comes into play.... "What if one of Tyler's friends is visiting and hasn't had the same respect instilled?" Good Question! My answer to that is to simply keep the gun out of obvious sight, and keep ammunition and/or clips separate from the gun. While I'm not a paranoid, I was burglarized in 1978 (and lost everything, including a 31-gun collection) and KNOW what it feels like to come into the house and finding it EMPTY. All my guns except 1 are put away, out of sight and locked up. The one gun that's kept for "home defense" is a Colt Officer's .45, and the clip is kept separate, but loaded. It would come into play quickly enough if I heard someone breaking into the house. However, I do not recommend that everyone keep a handgun for home protection... they're hard or impossible to shoot in the dark accurately, and unless you're well-practiced, you may not get it loaded in time. Over-penetration is another consideration. A shotgun for home defense is by far the best tool for the average home owner. Use bird shot (number 6 or 7 1/2), and you won't have to worry about the projectiles flying through 8 walls. Ok.. now to get back on track. I am a great believer in early education of children on proper respect and handling of firearms. I was exposed since childhood and haven't turned into a mass murderer (yet), and would like to think that those same methods use on me will be successful on Tyler and Rachel. I AM ALSO A GREAT BELIEVER THAT GUNS KEPT LOCKED UP, NEVER PRACTICED WITH, RARELY USED, AND KEPT ENTIRELY OUT OF SIGHT FROM CHILDREN IS AN ACCIDENT LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN. Kids are naturally curious. Why not satisfy that curiosity by carefully handing your favorite pistol to your young son, USING REVERENCE, and explain that someday that gun will be his if he understands and respects firearms. Explain to him/her that it is not a toy. It isn't even anything like what they see on TV... (TV has done a good job of showing that big rifles like .308 only go "pop" instead of a real "BOOM!"). Explain that the only time he or she is to handle a gun is after YOU have specifically handed them the gun. Don't let them hold it and swing it around unless they're a little older than 5.... let them hold it in their hand and feel the weight as if they were holding a bar of gold. Build a reverent respect for the gun, while dispelling the (potentially deadly) curiosity. Also instruct them that if any of their friends ever come across one of your guns, that it is THEIR duty to immediately stop that child from touching it. (Although it's YOUR duty to keep the thing out of sight and reach anyway, you can give them a sense of worthiness by delegating some of that responsibility). That way, in the event that one of their nosey friends stumbles across your shotgun in a closet, your child can feel useful and knowledgeable in telling the visitor to keep the hands off. I have read horror stories about kids who have discovered "Dad's pistol" and shot young friends while simply inspecting the gun. In most cases, and ALL that I have read, the kid who handled the gun was ignorant, and hadn't been properly taught gun respect and proper handling practices. By educating your children at an earlier age, you nip many of the potential dangers in the bud. You dispel ignorance, and may even help serve to educate one of their young friends who isn't fortunate enough to have a Dad who cares enough to teach his child about guns and their handling, care and shooting techniques. It can be a great learning adventure... and I know that I feel a sense of pride and well-being after having a short educational session with him. When Rachel is 4 or 5, she will also be taught the same way. Even if she decides never to shoot, the information will not be forgotten. And if Ty decides not to shoot? That's fine too. At least I'll have done my part in pro-active accident prevention. Disclaimer: The author of this article cannot be held responsible for gun or shooting accidents. This is only a guideline to be used for parents who have questions regarding children and the safe handling of firearms. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that children (and those not familiar with weapons) do not handle guns unless you specifically hand them one during training sessions. =============================================================================