Gun Safety in the Home

1. Gun Safety in the Home By Mark Bartimus Kingsland Police Department

2. Introduction • This course of instruction is designed for proper handling of firearms in the home environment. You will learn the safe alternatives for securing of your firearms in the home. You will also receive information on how to match the right style of gun locks for the different types of firearms. • What is gun safety?

3. Performance Objectives • Given this material you will be better informed on the safe handling of your firearms. • The proper ways of locking and securing them. • Where to store them in a safe place

4. Enabling Objections • The importance of the class is to educate parents and guardians of the danger to our children. • As a firearms owner, it is your responsibility to know how to properly handle any firearm that you own. • Remember it could be your child that picks up a firearm and has that accident.

5. Firearms safety begins with the understanding and following all manufactures guidelines and rules of safe handling practices. Before handling a firearm you should be familiar with the following safety procedures. • Be sure you know how your firearm operates. (not al operate the same) • You must know how to properly open the action of the firearm you are operating. • Every owner needs to know how to safely extract ammunition from the types of firearms they own.

6. Remember if you are unsure how to safely operate the firearm you should seek professional assistance. • Every firearm owner has a responsibility to secure their firearms away from children. • Always store firearms where they are not accessible to children. • Remember children are filled with curiosity. • It is the responsibility of the parents who has a firearm at home to ensure the safety of their children and any other child that could be in your residence.

7. Locking and storing • There are different ways of locking and securing your firearm. There are trigger locks, cable locks, lock boxes, and gun cabinets. • Trigger locks • Widely available • Can effectively block a trigger • Does not prevent loading of a firearm • Should never be used on a loaded firearm, it could cause discharge and possibly injury and death. • Alway • S keep out of reach of children

8. Cont. • Cable locks • Widely available • Can be used on most firearms • Also used for securing firearms to a solid surface • Never should be used around the trigger

9. Cont. • Lock boxes • Mechanical or electric • Provide a secure storage place • Firearms may be loaded or unloaded

10. Cont. • Gun cabinets or Gun cabinets • Another option to secure your firearms • This is the most secure way • Remember if there is a key to keep the key in a safe place and away from children

11. What should you teach your child about firearms safety • If a firearm is found find an adult and never pick up a firearm. • Always treat a firearm as if it was loaded. • Never point a firearm at any person • A firearm is not a toy it’s a tool

12. Summary • Remember keep your firearms locked in a safe place. • Use the proper locks for the proper firearm • Teach children the safe practices of firearms

13. Firearm safety in the home is a very critical issue. Learning about firearm safety and teaching others will prevent accidents from accruing. • Does everyone have a better understanding of the importance of firearm safety? • Remember Every child is worth protecting