Gun Safety Resources for Parents and Community Members
We all share a role in protecting the children in our community.
Parents often believe they hide their firearms well from their children. However, children are naturally curious and a study found that 30% of children in a household with an unsecured firearm knew where it was located and had handled it without their parents’ knowledge. Keep in mind:
- It is normal for young children to be curious and explore drawers, cabinets and closets at home and when visiting other houses.
- Preteens and teens can find firearms fascinating and see them as symbols of power.
- Teens living with depression may seek household firearms to attempt suicide.
Safe storage practices can reduce the number of gun-related deaths among children and young adults.
Talk it Up
We need to have conversations around gun storage. Start asking the question: "If you have a gun in your home, is it stored locked and unloaded?" Before you send your child to someone's house, talk about gun safety.
If you have doubts about the safety of someone else's home, invite the children to play at your home instead.
Tips for Talking about Gun Safety
It can be hard and feel awkward asking other people how they handle firearm safety. Here are some tips to help:
- Ask about firearms along with other things you discuss before your child goes to play at someone's home such as seatbelt use, allergies, and animals.
- Present your concern with respect.
- Work through groups such as your child's preschool, childcare, or local PTA.
If you're a firearm owner, it can also be awkward starting this conversation. But sharing with other parents that you store your guns safely, can help establish trust with other parents.
Conversation Starters:
- “Gun safety is an important topic in our family. Do you have firearms? And if yes, do you store the firearms locked and unloaded?”
- "I wanted to let you know that we have firearms in the home, but they are stored locked and loaded. We practice safe gun storage in our home."
- "I hope you don't mind me asking if you have a firearm in your home and if it is properly stored?"
- "Mom, Dad, ______, this is awkward for me and I mean no disrespect. I am concerned Ruby will find one of the firearms in your home when we visit. Do you keep them locked up with the ammunition stored separately?"
Find additional conversation starters from Be SMART.
Talk with your Child
In addition to storing your firearms locked and unloaded, talk with your children about the risk of firearm injury in places they may visit or play. Teach your child if she or he finds a firearm to leave it alone and tell an adult right away.
Content from King County