Gun Safety (young children)

1. Stop.
2. Don't touch.
3. Leave the area.
4. Tell an adult.

NEVER give children realistic looking toy guns or let them to play with such toys. If your child has toy guns you may want to use them to demonstrate safe gun handling and explain how they differ from genuine guns. There should be no chance that a child could mistake a real gun for a toy.


Safe Gun Handling

1. Point the gun in a safe direction.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger.
3. Keep it unloaded until ready to use.

Gun safety is largely common sense. If one treats every gun as if they are loaded (loaded or not) you will naturally keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger (until ready to shoot), which are the key safety measures that need to be ingrained in every person who uses or handles a gun.


Safe Shooting

1. Know the target and what is beyond.
2. Know how to use the gun safely.
3. Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
4. Use the right ammunition for the gun.
5. Use eye and ear protection.
6. Don't use alcohol or any drugs.
7. Know that extra safety measures may be needed in some situations.
8. Unload and clean guns after use.


Safe Storage

Store all guns in a locked gun safe. If not stored for security use a gun should be unloaded with the ammunition locked up separately in a locked steel box (e.g., a petty cash box).


Safe Transportation

Guns should be unloaded and fitted with a trigger lock when transported unless carried for security use. If a handgun is carried for security use it should be in a secure holster with at least two built-in retention devices to prevent it falling out of the holster or being snatched (e.g., a Safariland SSII security holster).


Download

NRA Gun Safety Rules
NRA's gun safety rules for young children and gun users.