15 Ways To Keep Kids Safe With a Gun in the Home

Having a firearm in the home for protection, sport, or hobby comes with a significant responsibility, especially when children are involved. The presence of a gun can introduce risks that are entirely preventable with proper precautions. To ensure your home remains a safe space, here are 15 ways to keep children safe around firearms while still maintaining accessibility for adults when needed.

1. Lock Guns in Quick-Access Safes

Quick-access safes strike the perfect balance between safety and accessibility. These safes often use fingerprint scanners, numeric keypads, or RFID technology, allowing adults to retrieve a firearm in seconds during emergencies. Unlike traditional safes, these are compact and portable, ensuring your firearm remains secure and out of reach for children while still being immediately accessible to you.

2. Teach the Universal Firearms Safety Rules

Instilling the four universal firearm safety rules in your children can be a game-changer. Teach them to always treat guns as loaded, never point them at anything they don’t intend to destroy, keep their finger off the trigger, and always know their target and what lies beyond it. Reinforcing these rules early creates a foundation of respect and awareness that can last a lifetime.

3. Avoid Making Guns “Forbidden Fruit”

Making guns off-limits and mysterious can backfire by fueling a child’s curiosity. Instead, create a healthy dialogue around firearms, letting them know they can always ask to see a gun under your supervision. Removing the mystery helps reduce the likelihood of them seeking out the firearm in secret, which can lead to accidents.

4. Stage Guns with Care and Caution

Staging firearms for home defense can be done safely with careful planning. Keep staged guns in high, inaccessible locations and ensure they are not chambered if children are present. While this may limit immediate usability in some cases, it provides an additional barrier against accidental misuse by curious kids.

5. Perform Routine Safety Audits

Children grow, and their ability to access areas previously out of reach changes over time. Regularly audit your home’s firearm safety setup to ensure it still aligns with your family’s needs. Consider factors such as your child’s age, behavior, and physical abilities when assessing risks and updating security measures.

6. Take Kids Shooting to Demystify Guns

Taking older children shooting under controlled circumstances can remove the mystique of firearms. Experiencing the power of a gun firsthand can help them develop a healthy respect for its capabilities. This hands-on approach reduces curiosity and teaches the importance of safe handling practices.

7. Use Trigger Locks and Chamber Safeties

Trigger locks and chamber safeties provide an extra layer of protection for firearms not stored in safes. These devices prevent the firearm from being discharged without removing the lock or taking additional steps. While they aren’t a substitute for locked storage, they add another barrier to accidental misuse.

8. Store Guns Away From Ammunition

Separating firearms from ammunition is a simple yet effective safety measure. Even if a child manages to find a gun, the lack of ammunition makes it far less dangerous. This additional layer of separation can prevent accidental shootings in situations where other safety measures fail.

9. Teach the “Stop, Don’t Touch” Rule

Empower your children with a simple rule: “Stop, don’t touch, run away, and tell an adult.” This mantra is easy for kids to remember and provides clear instructions for what to do if they encounter a gun. Programs like Eddie the Eagle emphasize this approach, helping children respond safely in high-stakes situations.

10. Use Guns With Heavy Triggers and Safeties

If you refuse to store your guns in safes, consider firearms with heavy double-action triggers and manual safeties. These features make it harder for small children to fire the weapon accidentally. While not foolproof, this setup creates an additional obstacle for younger, less coordinated hands.

11. Keep Guns on Your Person While at Home

Carrying your firearm in a secure holster while at home ensures it’s always under your control. Quality holsters with retention features prevent unauthorized access while keeping the gun immediately available to you. This approach eliminates the risk of children stumbling upon an unattended firearm.

12. Model Responsible Gun Ownership

Children learn from observing the adults around them. Always handle firearms responsibly and demonstrate proper safety protocols in their presence. Modeling safe behavior reinforces the importance of respect and caution when dealing with guns.

13. Show the Real Dangers of Guns

Demonstrating the destructive power of firearms can be an eye-opening lesson for children. Allowing them to see the effects of a gun’s power, such as at a controlled shooting range, helps instill a sense of caution and respect. This can be particularly effective for younger kids who may not fully grasp the consequences of mishandling a firearm.

14. Don’t Rely on Hiding Guns

Many parents believe they can simply hide their guns where kids won’t find them. However, children are naturally curious and adept at exploring every nook and cranny of the home. Always assume your kids will find hidden firearms and plan accordingly with secure storage.

15. Regularly Discuss Gun Safety With Kids

Safety is an ongoing conversation, not a one-time lesson. Talk openly with your children about firearms, answering their questions and addressing their concerns. Revisiting this topic regularly keeps the conversation fresh and reinforces the importance of following safety rules.

Proactive Measures Save Lives

Ensuring the safety of children in a home with firearms is a multifaceted responsibility. By combining secure storage, consistent education, and open communication, you can minimize risks and foster a safe environment. With these 15 strategies in place, you can confidently maintain your role as both a protector and a responsible gun owner.