Firearm Safety and Children: Protecting Kids Around Guns

Firearms are present in about one-third of American homes with children. Whether or not your family owns guns, your children may encounter them—at friends' homes, relatives' houses, or elsewhere. Teaching gun safety and practicing safe storage saves lives. Every day in the United States, eight children are unintentionally shot.

The Statistics AAP

Understanding the risk helps motivate prevention:

Unintentional shootings:

• 8 children are accidentally shot daily in the US
• Most unintentional shootings involve guns from the child's own home
• Children as young as 2 have shot themselves or others
• The shooter is most often another child

Storage matters:

• 73% of children under 10 know where guns are stored
• Most children who find guns handle them
• More than 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms
• Secure storage reduces risk by up to 85%

Safe Storage Is Essential AAP

The only safe gun storage:

Every firearm should be:
1. Unloaded (chamber checked and cleared)
2. Locked (gun safe, lock box, or trigger/cable lock)
3. Stored separately from ammunition (ammunition in separate locked container)
4. Kept out of reach and sight of children

This applies to ALL firearms—there is no exception for "just in case" or home protection scenarios.

### Storage Options

Gun safes:

• Most secure option
• Can store multiple firearms
• Fire protection available
• Various sizes and price points

Lock boxes:

• Good for single firearms
• Quick-access options available
• Portable
• More affordable

Trigger locks and cable locks:

• Minimum level of security
• Often free from local police departments
• Should be used in addition to locked storage
• Not sufficient alone

### What Doesn't Work

Unsafe storage practices:

• Hiding guns (children find them)
• High shelves (children climb)
• Locked room (children find keys)
• Assuming children won't touch them
• "Unloaded" guns (many shootings involve "unloaded" guns)

Teaching Children About Gun Safety AAP

### The Eddie Eagle Message (NRA)

If you see a gun:
1. STOP - Don't touch it
2. DON'T TOUCH - Guns can hurt
3. RUN AWAY - Leave the area
4. TELL AN ADULT - Find a grown-up

Practice this message regularly until it's automatic.

### Age-Appropriate Conversations

Preschoolers (3-5 years):

• Simple message: "If you see a gun, don't touch it—tell an adult"
• Repeat often
• Explain that real guns are not like toys or TV
• Practice the response

School-age children (6-12):

• Discuss why guns are dangerous
• Explain the "Stop, Don't Touch, Run Away, Tell an Adult" rule
• Talk about peer pressure to touch guns
• Make sure they know the rule applies even at friends' houses

Teenagers:

• Discuss statistics about teen gun injuries
• Address gun safety in dating relationships
• Talk about what to do if friends have unsecured guns
• Discuss impulsive decisions and permanent consequences

### The Reality About Teaching

Important to understand:

• Education alone does NOT prevent children from touching guns
• Studies show children often handle guns despite education
• Curiosity can override training
• Secure storage is the only reliable prevention

Education is important, but it is not a substitute for secure storage.

Asking About Guns at Other Homes AAP

It may feel awkward, but asking matters:

Before playdates, sleepovers, or visits:

• "I need to ask—do you have firearms in your home?"
• "If so, how are they stored?"

What you're looking for:

• Unloaded
• Locked
• Ammunition stored separately
• Out of children's reach

If the answer isn't satisfactory:

• Offer to host instead
• Meet in a neutral location
• Politely decline

Make it normal:
"I ask about guns the same way I ask about allergies or pool safety—it's just part of keeping kids safe."

If Your Family Has Firearms AAP

Responsible gun ownership with children means:

1. Always store safely

• Every gun, every time, no exceptions
• Quick-access safes available for home protection needs

2. Model safe behavior

• Children learn from what they see
• Never handle firearms casually around children
• Demonstrate that guns deserve serious respect

3. Teach and re-teach

• Regular conversations about gun safety
• Practice "Stop, Don't Touch" response
• Update teaching as children grow

4. Supervise age-appropriate use

• If teaching shooting sports, do so with direct supervision
• Start with appropriate education about safety
• Never allow unsupervised access regardless of training level

Guns and Suicide Prevention AAP

Firearms and teen suicide:

• Suicide attempts with guns are fatal over 85% of the time
• Access to firearms significantly increases suicide completion risk
• Removing access during crisis saves lives
• Teen suicidal crises are often impulsive and temporary

If a child is struggling:

• Remove or secure firearms even more strictly
• Consider temporary off-site storage
• Reduce access to ammunition
• The few seconds it takes to access a gun can be life-saving

Signs to watch for:

• Depression or withdrawal
• Talking about death or hopelessness
• Giving away possessions
• Sudden calmness after depression
• Risky behavior

What to Do If Your Child Finds a Gun AAP

If your child tells you they found a gun:

• Stay calm and thank them for telling you
• Ask where it is
• Secure it or call police to retrieve it
• Praise them for following the rules

If your child touched or played with a gun:

• Stay calm—anger may prevent future disclosure
• Discuss what happened
• Review safety rules
• Consider why they touched it (curiosity, peer pressure)
• Reinforce the message without shaming

Community Resources AAP

Free gun locks available from:

• Local police departments
• Project ChildSafe (www.projectchildsafe.org)
• Some gun stores and ranges

Storage assistance:

• Some areas have temporary storage programs
• Gun ranges may offer storage
• Police departments may hold firearms temporarily

The Bottom Line

Whether or not your family owns firearms, gun safety affects your children. If you have guns, store them unloaded, locked, and with ammunition separate—every gun, every time. Teach children what to do if they find a gun, but know that education alone isn't enough. Ask about guns before children visit other homes. These simple steps can prevent tragedy.

Clara can help you think through gun safety for your specific family situation!