Firearm safety is especially important for families with children. Studies estimate that around a third of U.S. homes with kids contain guns, and millions of children live in homes where firearms are both loaded and unlocked. Because young children are curious explorers, even toddlers can discover an unsecured gun and unintentionally cause a tragic accident.
As parents, we work hard to keep our children safe from everyday dangers. However, many people are surprised to learn that firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Studies have found that guns in the home can increase the risk of accidental shootings, suicide, and violence. The good news is that safe storage practices can make a big difference.
Unintentional Shootings
Unintentional shootings can happen at any age, but they are especially common among teenagers and young children. Research shows that teens ages 14–17 and children age 5 and younger are the groups most likely to accidentally shoot themselves or someone else.
Many of these tragedies happen at home when children discover an unsecured firearm while playing or attempting to show it to a friend or sibling. Firearms are often accessed from places like nightstands, dressers, or bedrooms where they were not safely secured.
Over the past several years, thousands of accidental shootings involving children have led to serious injuries and deaths. In most cases, other children were the victims, highlighting how important secure firearm storage is in protecting families.
Suicide Risk
Mental health and safety go hand in hand. For children and teens, access to a firearm in the home can increase the risk of suicide, particularly during moments of emotional distress or impulsive decision-making.
Many youth suicides involve firearms that were found at home or in a relative’s home. Because teens may act quickly during a crisis, having immediate access to a loaded gun can make those situations far more dangerous. Secure firearm storage and limiting access during difficult times are important ways families can help protect their children.
Homicides
Firearm safety is about more than preventing accidents. Research has shown that children and teens living in homes with guns are at greater risk for violence-related deaths, including homicide. Sadly, more than half of firearm deaths among young people occur as a result of homicide. These statistics highlight the importance of safe firearm storage and reducing children’s access to unsecured guns.
Secure Your Firearms at Home
If your family keeps firearms at home, safe storage is one of the most important ways to protect children. Research shows that teaching kids not to touch a gun is not always enough, because children are naturally curious and may still try to handle a firearm if they discover one.
Safe Storage
To reduce the risk of injury, all guns should be locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition. Make sure children and teens cannot access keys, passcodes, or combinations to safes or lockboxes. It’s also important not to leave loaded or unsecured firearms in vehicles or anywhere else children could gain access to them.
Safe Gun Usage
During hunting or target shooting activities, keep the safety on until you are ready to fire and always unload the firearm before putting it down. While children may be curious about shooting sports, they are not yet mature enough to safely manage a potentially deadly weapon.
Safety in Other Homes
Many accidental shootings involving children happen in someone else’s home — including the homes of friends, neighbors, or family members. Even if your own home does not contain firearms, it’s still important to ask about gun safety anywhere your child spends time.
Ask Before a Playdate
Before your child visits another home, try adding firearm safety to your usual list of questions about supervision and safety. Asking whether guns are present and how they are stored can help prevent dangerous situations. If firearms are kept in the home, they should always be unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition.
Children should also know that if they ever see a gun, they should leave it alone, move away, and tell an adult right away.
Guns in Media
Children are exposed to gun violence through TV, movies, and video games more than ever before. Because media often makes firearms seem exciting or harmless, it’s important to remind children that real-life situations are very different.
Talking openly with kids about the serious dangers of guns can help them better understand that firearms are not toys and can cause life-threatening injuries. These conversations may need to happen more than once as children grow and mature.