Parents &
Gun Owners
SAFETY
Millions of Americans own firearms and more people are choosing to become gun owners every day. At the same time, crimes and accidents with firearms have been decreasing. Help Project ChildSafe keep this trend going in the right direction with these safety precautions.
STORAGE
As a firearm owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that guns in your home are stored where they are inaccessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Hiding a gun in a closet, drawer or similar location is not safe storage. Safe storage is employing precautions and multiple safeguards that provide an additional barrier against unauthorized use.
- Unloaded firearms should be stored in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case. The storage location should be inaccessible to children.
- Gun locking devices render firearms inoperable and can be used in addition to locked storage. If firearms are disassembled, parts should be securely stored in separate locations.
- Ammunition should be stored in a locked location separate from firearms.
- Thoroughly double check firearms to confirm that they are unloaded when you remove them from storage. Accidents could occur if a family member borrows a gun and returns it to storage while still loaded.
Ideally, cable-style locks, like those in the Project ChildSafe Safety Kit, should be used in addition to primary storage system like a gun safe or vault. Reference the Project ChildSafe safety brochure from the kit for more information about properly installing the Project ChildSafe gun lock on various firearm types, safe handling and storage.
UNDERSTANDING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND PREVENTING ACCESS TO UNAUTHORIZED FIREARMS
As a parent, you can approach mental health care and suicide prevention in the same way you do other health and safety issues with your children. By educating yourself, you can learn what you can do in times of need to protect them. Checking in on your child’s mental health and asking the right questions – in the right way – is an important starting place. At the same time, being aware of what “lethal means” (anything such as medications, firearms, sharp objects, etc.) are in your home and what you can do to prevent unauthorized access to them can be the difference between a life saved and a tragedy for families or whole communities.
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS: WEBINAR
Listen to the discussion between NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi as well as distinguished guests Doreen Marshall, Vice President for Mission Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Sherry Molock, Associate Professor at The George Washington University. They discuss how parents can help teenagers who may be struggling with mental health issues and make homes safer for those who may be at risk of self-harm.
FIREARM STORAGE AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT QUIZ
Test your firearm safety knowledge, and see how your safe storage habits might be improved.
How do you store your firearms when they are not in use?
Correct!
Wrong!
Storing firearms responsibly and securely when they’re not in use is the #1 way to help prevent accidents and the best way to help prevent your guns from being stolen and possibly used in a crime. A “hidden” gun is not a safely stored gun. There are a variety of safe storage options available, ranging from free gun locks provided by Project ChildSafe to full-length fireproof gun safes. Using any safe storage device will always be better than using none. For a sampling of storage options and their features, check out our infographic, Safe Storage Options for Your Lifestyle.
How do you store your firearm temporarily in a vehicle?
Correct!
Wrong!
Theft of guns from parked vehicles has become a serious concern across the country, according to law enforcement, who add that many guns used in crimes are stolen. Law enforcement officials and other public safety officials urge gun owners to store their firearms securely when left temporarily in a vehicle by using a locking device that can be affixed to the vehicle, such as with a cable attached to the metal seat frame, to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals. The glove compartment or console of your car or truck, even if lockable, should not be considered a secure storage device, as it can be pried open too easily. If you’re looking for options, NSSF’s brochure, “Firearms Safety in Vehicles” is a great place to start.
There are never kids in my house, so securing my gun(s) when not in use is not as important.
Correct!
Wrong!
Although preventing kids from finding unsecured guns can help prevent a tragedy in any home, keeping guns out of all the wrong hands is just as important. Unsecured firearms are easy targets for thieves and for a person with suicidal thoughts. Securely stored firearms can help save a life. For more information, check out NSSF’s “Firearms and Suicide Prevention” brochure.
Lock boxes are a good storage solution when keeping a firearm for home protection.
Correct!
Wrong!
Lock boxes are one of several options for safe and secure firearm storage, and they provide a solution for those who choose to keep a firearm for home security and want quick access to it while denying access to unauthorized persons, including children. Some use biometric technology to provide access without a key. More information on lock boxes and other safe storage options is available on NSSF’s “Safe Storage Options” infographic.
Storing firearms securely when not in use may help prevent all of the below EXCEPT:
Correct!
Wrong!
Secure storage is the #1 way to prevent accidents, theft and misuse. Additionally, depending on the storage system you use, it may also help prevent rust. Some higher-end gun safes include dehumidifiers, but the best defense against rust or other corrosion of the metal in your firearms is proper cleaning and lubrication and storing firearms away from sources of moisture, such as shower steam in the bathroom or damp basements. Safe storage does mean, however, that families still need to talk about safe and responsible firearm ownership.
Where do I find out about the best gun storage option for me?
Correct!
Wrong!
Whether you choose to own firearms for personal or home defense, hunting, target shooting, collecting or all of these, there are safe storage options available for you. You can start by looking over all of the Safe Storage and Gun Owner resources on Project ChildSafe’s Resources page and then talking to your firearm retailer or local gun safe retailer to pick the right match for your needs.
How often should parents talk with their children about firearm safety?
Correct!
Wrong!
Having regular conversations with your children about gun safety, whether you own guns or not, is important in case they encounter an unsecured gun at a friend’s house, outside or anywhere beyond your supervision. Parents talk to kids about other important issues, like drugs, alcohol and sex, and talking about firearm safety should be no different. This should be a regular conversation between parents and children. NSSF’s video “Talking to Kids about Gun Safety” covers the basics of how to talk to children of different ages. Even if you don’t have kids, this video can be a good resource to share with friends, family and neighbors who do.
Which is NOT one of Project ChildSafe’s 10 Tips for Firearm Safety?
Correct!
Wrong!
Having regular conversations about firearm safety, even if you don’t own guns, will help reinforce the safety practices that can help ensure you and your family are always safely handling firearms at home, at the range and in the field and storing them safely during transportation and at home. NSSF’s “Firearms Safety in the Home” brochure and Project ChildSafe’s 10 Tips are great tools for reviewing gun safety practices.
FIREARMS STORAGE AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT QUIZ
Help support and share genuine firearm safety.
Encourage your friends and loved ones to take this quiz and tell us how you scored on social media: @ProjChildSafe on Instagram and Twitter and @ProjectChildSafe on Facebook.
Share your Results:
FOR YOUR KIDS
Children and teens are naturally curious about firearms and, as a result, may be tempted to “play” with a firearm they find. Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand these safety guidelines:
- Don’t go snooping, or allow other kids to go snooping, for guns in the house.
- If you find a gun in your house, or anywhere else, STOP! Do not touch it or allow anyone else to. Leave the area and be sure to immediately tell an adult.
- Even if a gun looks like a toy, don’t touch it. Some real guns look like toy guns, so don’t take a chance. Leave the area and immediately tell an adult.
GOING HUNTING?
Hunting is a rich tradition, often passed down from family members to the next generation. Please remember that safety should be part of every conversation about hunting and firearm use. The most important part of sharing this experience with your loved ones is ensuring they understand that proper precautions and responsible use of firearms can help make every hunting trip safe, fun and memorable.
Take our quiz to test your knowledge of hunting safety tips.
Parents Resources
Click hereVETERAN FIREARM SAFETY RESOURCES
click hereSAFE STORAGE OPTIONS INFOGRAPHIC
click here10 Tips For Firearm Safety At Home
click hereFirearm
Safety in
Vehicles
click here
NOT COOL, KYLE - A GUN SAFETY MESSAGE
click herePCS CHILD'S PLEDGE
click herePCS STATS AND FACTS INFOGRAPHICS
click herePROJECT CHILDSAFE DIGITAL BROCHURE
click hereThe Road to Responsible Gun Ownership
TAKE THE PLEDGE
I choose to own a firearm and therefore accept responsibility for using and storing it safely. I commit to securing my firearm when not in use, being aware of who can access it at all times and educating others to do the same.