From a recent national study it is estimated that 53% of citizens have some type of firearm in their home. Many are purchased for defense of home and family against violent criminals. Another study shows that there is an 80% chance you will be injured if you are home during an intrusion or burglary if you are unable to defend yourself, which is why the right to own a firearm is so important. Yet the number of firearm accidents in the home involving gun owners and their children jeopardizes your right to possess firearms because it gives the gun control lobby more ammunition to take that right away. You must be a safe and responsible firearms owner if you want help ensure your right to keep and bear arms is honored by the U.S. government in the future.

High Profile Gun Accidents

Firearms accidents get a lot of press by mainstream media, especially when a high profile figure is involved; the media just eats it up. The gun control lobby quickly goes to work escalating public propaganda on the dangers of the armed citizen. Gun grabbers are 100% correct in one respect, that is, a firearm can be very dangerous. Complacency has no place around firearms.

Accidents Are Often the Result of Stupidity

With that said it is also worth mentioning that automobiles, power tools, golf clubs and many other things common in our lives are also dangerous, and like firearms, if handled improperly, can result in injury or death. Where the gun grabbers are 100% wrong is in the notion that taking away dangerous things will make everyone better off. We can’t live in a nurf world of padding and protection from everything that is dangerous, yet the gun control lobby continues to single out firearms as being the only real significant danger. Statistics indicate otherwise when studying fatalities resulting from misuse of other things in our daily lives. People should use common sense and practice safety when driving, working with tools, handling firearms, and whenever else it’s necessary.

You need to be responsible when handling a firearm. If you are a parent, that goes double for responsibility of ownership, including use and storage alike. When handling firearms in the presence of others, carelessness and the assertion that the gun is not loaded will inevitability lead to disaster. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded all the time, even if the action is open or the clip is empty. Don’t squeeze the trigger to “see” if it is loaded. This is the most common cause of unintentional gun shot wounds. One should never point the muzzle of a firearm at someone unless they intend to kill or destroy.

Don’t Presume To Be a Gun Safety Expert

Intelligence, in the sense of using common sense when handling a firearm, is only part of the equation, the other part is education. It is just as important to learn, so you have knowledge of gun safety, as well as applying your intellect when handling a gun. Don’t assume you know it all already. You may have been raised properly and already practice many firearms safety measures, but ignorance of one small detail could lead to an accident, and it might be something you never would have considered otherwise. So a good place to start is at The National Rifle Association’s Gun Safety resources; NRA Gun Safety Rules - also available as a brochure. Information is available on the NRA web site on finding gun safety training and other related resources.

Children and Gun Safety

As a parent you have to use your own judgment in determining the right age to talk to your children about firearms. When your child starts to ask questions about firearms or the child starts to play referencing the subject, such as “shoot’em up” video games or good old fashioned “cops & robbers,” it is probably time.

Unfortunately, Hollywood movies and television set a poor example for children. They first need to be taught that what they see in the movies is not true. Firearms are far more lethal than most children’s perception of them as the result of what they see on T.V.

You would be surprised as to how curious children are about firearms, and their instinct to explore. Children should never be allowed access to a firearm without the presence of a competent adult. Teach your children if they should encounter a gun or ammo somewhere when they are unsupervised - Do Not Touch.

Dangerous things tend to fascinate children. This is why, as a parent, you should explain firearms use to your children, much like you would with matches. These are things children shouldn’t play with, but at the same time they need to fully understand. By eliminating the mystery, you will go far in preventing children from unsupervised exploration.

Seek resources for helping to education your children on guns and gun safety. The National Rifle Association is again, a great resource for helping you to find the materials and resources you need to best educate your children and minimize the possibility of a gun related injury.

You Can Protect Your Family With Your Gun

In the end, preventing accidents and abuse will best preserve your rights as a United States Citizen. Protect the safety of your loved ones, and yourself, by being educated on proper firearms handling and storage. A firearm can be an instrument of safety and defense if handled responsibly. There is a possibility that your gun could save the lives of your loved ones. The country is full of criminals that will use guns whether or not they are legal. Just make sure that your own gun isn’t the instrument of family or personal injury. Take the time and learn about gun safety.

Note: This is not a definitive guide to gun safety. This article is only intended to get you thinking about the issue and motivate you to seek the information and resources you need. Please take this issue seriously.