As a United States citizen your have the right to bear arms. It's a guaranteed constitutional amendment. However, you need to make sure you are being a responsible gun owner by making sure that any child in your home does not have access to your weapon and that they are also educated about gun safety.
Everyday we hear on the news or read in the paper about an accidental shooting of a child. Or perhaps the story of the child who decided to shoot a classmate over a simply disagreement. These stories are all to true and point out the devastating affects of not following proper gun safety and storage.
Whether you have children already living in your home or kids are only coming by on occasion it is your responsibility to make sure your guns are safely stored away. It is also your responsibility to make sure your children are aware of the dangers of guns. Gone are the days where you could simply put your pistol in your dresser or your rifle in the closet. Times have changed and so have the responsibilities of being a gun owner.
It is highly recommended that your purchase locks for all of your guns. They are inexpensive and easy to use. Using a lock on your weapon is just ones of the ways to help insure the safety of any child living or visiting a home where guns are stored. Locks for your guns can be purchased at most sporting goods stores as well as you local gun broker.
You also want to invest in a gun safe. These can also be purchased for relatively affordable prices and when you consider the extra level of safety you are providing you can expect to have much more peace of mind. You want a safe that either has a standard combination type of lock or a key code entry. I do not recommend safes that take only a key as the risk of losing or misplacing the key is simply too great. Unless of course you are storing it outside of your home in something like a safety deposit box.
When storing your guns you also need to consider how easy it would be for a thief to break into your home and use your weapons against you and your family. I would advise you to talk to your local gun broker about safety options that will work for your home and still allow you quick access if needed.
Another thing to consider when keeping your children safe and out of harms way with guns in your home is by educating them. Children need to be taught about the dangers of guns but they also need to learn about respecting the gun. Classes are often offered that teach gun safety to children and adults. These types of classes are taught only by certified professionals and keeping your child safe is their number one concern. You can ask about class options at your local gunsmith shop or by locating a shooting range in your community.
Remember that simply placing you gun up on a high shelf is not going to guarantee a child safety. A curious child will always find a way to get what they want. You also need to make sure you weapons are stored safely and securely if you will have a child home alone. It's all about being responsible. You will never want to experience a traumatic event such as a accidental shooting in your own home with your own weapon. It is not hard to be a responsible gun owner. You need to do whatever you can to ensure the protection and safety of any child coming into your home. It only takes a split second for tragedy to occur.
