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Gunproofing Kids

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Cathy1911:
I don't have kids, but I recognize a true expert when I see one.

Anyone with children who wants great information on how to gunproof them effectively should read Kathy Jackson's excellent website, The Cornered Cat.

Josh1776:
Thanks for the post. Being A former U.S. Marine I'm comfortable and safe with firearms, but I never owned any of my own until recetly. I have a 3yr old who loves to explore so I'm very cautious to make sure my firearms are locked-up when not on my person.

David Hineline:
Locked up and safe is fine, but do not hide them and refer to them as no-nos.  You teach your child to operate the kitchen stove safely do that same with guns.  Making them a no see and no touch item to kids is like putting a kid magnet on to the item.

armed and humorous:
Cathy1911:

I read a good deal of the linked article(s).  What I read was generally good.  One thing I think is important, and related to disarming the kids' curiosity, is to actually allow them to see what a loaded gun does in action.  If you can take your child hunting and let them see what a bullet or shot shell does to an animal, they will quickly realize what it will do to a human being, too.  Learning what "dead" means is an important part of recognizing the importance of gun safety.  If you can't take them hunting, or don't like hunting for some insane reason :), at least take them somewhere you can shoot and blow up some stuff.  They need to see what that bullet does when it hits something.  A hole through a paper target doesn't do it.  Pull an R. Lee Emery and blow up some watermellons, or apples, or tin cans (we used to sink bottles in the creek, but that's probably not a good idea).  Take an old plastic model car or ship or airplane and turn it into little pieces of unrecognizable junk (be sure and clean up afterward though).  When the kids realize what that bullet is going to do when it hits something, they'll be much more likely to pay attention to the basic safety rules.

One more thing.  They need to learn that you mean what you say, all the time.  When you tell them not to touch a gun, they need to know there will be some consequences if they disobey.  It's too late to learn that after they pick up a gun and shoot someone or themselves.  You need to teach them in every situation that what you say is the law and that there will be punishment for disobeying the law.  When you tell your kids not to color on the wall or they will be punished, you need to punish them if they do it anyway.  When you tell your kid to stop doing any inappropriate behavior, and they don't stop, you need to physically stop them, and use some form of punishment that will get your point across.  Some parents try the "I love you and don't want to see you get hurt or into trouble" speech.  If that works with your kids, fine.  It doesn't with most.  If a few loudly spoken, harsh words do the trick, fine.  It will with some.  If it takes a firm grasp on the wrist and dragging them off to sit in a corner, fine.  With some, it might take a swat or two on the backside (maybe even with a belt, however, not so hard you leave welts or scars!).  You have to do whatever it takes for them to understand they can't break the law without paying the price.  Yes, there may be a rare child who can never be trusted to obey the law, one where nothing short of physical confinement will guarantee compliance.  If that is your child, you'll have to keep your guns in a safe or somehow disable them so they cannot be accessed or fired without your knowledge. 

rugermanx:
Armed, on your point of showing what a gun can do....

I was about 4 years old when my dad caught my little brother and I playing with a defunct (rusty, non shootable) .22 that my grandpa had left in the barn. To this day, I can see what a .22 can do to a medium sized pumpkin. Never has that visual left my mind.

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