Gun Safety

Teacher/Parent Information

Guns are a leading cause of injury and death to children. Most of those shooting deaths involve guns that have been kept loaded and accessible to children.

There are an estimated 200 million firearms in U.S. homes including 60 million handguns. Unrealistic perceptions of children's capabilities and behavioral tendencies with regard to guns are common, such as misunderstanding a child's ability to gain access to and fire a gun, distinguish between real and toy guns, make good judgments about handling a gun, and consistently follow rules about gun safety.

Teaching Information

Did you know that some people have to carry guns when they work? Special Agents must carry a gun when they are on duty. Security guards do, too. Who else can you think of who has to carry a gun to work?

Some people have guns for sport shooting, while others collect old guns as a hobby.

No matter why people have guns or why they carry them to work, each one of them must have special training to know how to handle them safely. Some people go to classes to learn gun safety, some learn it from their parents. I want to tell you what to do if you see a gun.

What should you do when you see a gun?

DO NOT PICK UP THE GUN

DO NOT EVEN TOUCH THE GUN

If you see a gun or are with a friend who plays with a gun - tell an adult right away. Tell your mom, dad, teacher, or neighbor. Guns should be locked up after they have been used.

GUNS ARE DANGEROUS. THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO BE TOUCHED BY SOMEONE WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING.

Here are the basic rules about guns:

  • STOP!
  • DON'T TOUCH.
  • LEAVE THE AREA.
  • TELL AN ADULT.