4 Rules for Kids Finding a Firearm

No one is going to argue that firearms can be dangerous. Firearms were designed to injure and/or kill someone. However, a firearm in and of itself is not dangerous because it requires someone to load and fire it. Many firearm accidents occur because someone was irresponsible with the firearm. However, most firearm accidents occur because someone did not know what it was or how to handle it. This is how most firearm accidents happen when children are involved.

A child who does not know what a firearm is or what to do with one if they find one is most likely going to either injure themselves or someone else. Listed below are for rules for kids finding a firearm. If you own a firearm and there are children in your home you need to discuss the following rules with them:

1. Stop – One of the most important rules for a child to follow if he or she sees or finds a firearm is to stop whatever it is that he or she is doing.
2. DO NOT Touch – Rule number two, tell the child he or she is not to touch the firearm. We have all told our children that if there is a problem to come find us and we will help. A child’s natural instinct is to pick up the firearm and carry it to an adult, so the adult can help. Our children need to be taught that they are never to touch a gun that they see or find.
3. Get Away – The next rule, rule number three, is to teach the child to get away from the firearm, immediately. If another child has possession of the firearm he or she should not attempt to get the firearm away from him or her. Their only concern at that moment is to get away from the firearm.
4. Find and Tell an Adult – Once the child has gotten away from the firearm, the fourth rule, is to go find and tell an adult. It is extremely important that the child tell the adult not only where they saw the firearm, but also if anyone was in possession of that firearm when he or she left the area.

Please be aware that, although having an open line of communication with your child is essential in preventing firearm accidents from occurring, there are no guarantees. Children will always be curious about things they don’t know or understand, firearms are no different. Each parent must decide what the best course of action for their child is, when it comes to firearm safety.

One of the best courses of action a parent can take is by practicing what he or she preaches. Children learn from observing what happens around them. If an adult who owns a firearm follows all of the firearm safety rules than a child is more likely to follow those rules should the time come when they encounter a firearm. By practicing the firearm safety rules a parent is also teaching firearm safety rules.