Gun Safety Tips

There are parents who don't want their kids to learn about guns. I'm not one of those parents. I'm a firm believer in familiarizing children with gun safety so they don't learn their friends' version instead. We also live in a rural area where hunting is part of the transition to manhood. Teaching my son about gun safety has led me to want to share some of the gun safety tips I found to be most important.

Before taking your child hunting, enroll them in a gun safety course. Indiana offers a gun safety course, as I'm sure that most states do. These courses are not only great for reinforcing gun safety standards, but they also offer certificates of completion. It's something they can hold in their hand or hang on their wall that will make your child proud. The certificate of completion from a gun safety course also motivates your child to adhere to the safety standards that they learned.

Set restrictions for when and where the guns can be approached. Let your children know that they are never to use the guns without your permission. An adult should always be present.

Safety is always on. One of the first things I taught my son about gun safety was that the safety stays on right up until he's ready to fire the gun. No exceptions.

Never aim the barrel anywhere you don't plan to shoot. This rule covers a variety of safety issues. Children need to pay attention to where the barrel of the gun is aimed even when the safety is on. It also covers the fact that they should never look down the barrel of the gun.

Check the chamber religiously. The gun chamber should be empty unless you're getting ready to shoot it. When you take the gun out of the gun cabinet, check the chamber to make sure it isn't loaded. Before you pass the gun to anyone, check the chamber. Before you load the gun, check the chamber. Every time you touch the gun, check the chamber. Notice a theme here? Your children will follow your lead so you have to demonstrate gun safety as often as you can.

Don't touch the trigger until you're ready to shoot. Your child needs to learn that the trigger has one purpose and there is no use putting your finger on it for any other reason than preparing to shoot a designated target.

Have a target. The smaller the target is that you aim at, the more accurate your aim will be. Don't teach your child to hit the paper or just the target on the paper. Teach them to hit the bulls-eye. Aiming at an exact target reduces the margin for error, making your child not only a safe shooter, but an accurate one as well.

Clean the gun. Black powder is a corrosive material. If you allow it to build up inside the barrel, you're creating a safety hazard and potentially damaging your gun barrel. Besides, don't you want your children to learn to clean up after themselves in every other area?

More from this contributor

Ways for Kids to Earn Money

5 Things Every Single Mom Wants to Say

Making Up for the Absent Parent
Source: Personal Experience