Talking to Kids about Gun Safety

It is important that children know what to do, and what not to do, if they find an unattended firearm.

Watch NSSF & Project ChildSafe Video – Parents Talking With Their Kids About Gun Safety

While there is no specific age to talk with your child about gun safety, a good time to introduce the subject is when he or she shows an interest in firearms. The interest can come from family members, friends, toy guns, video games or television shows and movies. Talking openly and honestly about gun safety with your child is usually more effective than just ordering him or her to “Stay out of the gun closet,” and leaving it at that. Such a statement may just stimulate a child’s natural curiosity to investigate further.

The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program isn’t to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather to promote the protection and safety of children. The program makes no value judgments about firearms, and no firearms are ever used in the program. Like swimming pools, electrical outlets, matchbooks and household poison, they’re treated simply as a fact of everyday life. With firearms found in about half of all American households, it’s a stance that makes sense.

Parents play a key role in developing safe practices and are ultimately responsible for the behavior and safety of their children. Isolated lessons and concepts can quickly be forgotten but with repetition, children remember standard safety procedures. The target age group of this program is pre-K through fourth grade. Explore the interactive site with your kids today!

The goal of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® program is to help you bring up an important safety issue with your child. It’s not a complicated or confusing message, and it’s easy and fun to teach. If children see a gun, they need to remember:

STOP!

This first step is crucial. Stopping first allows your child the time he or she needs to remember the rest of the safety instructions.

Don’t Touch

A firearm that is not touched or disturbed is unlikely to fire and otherwise endanger your child or other people.

Run Away

This removes the temptation to touch the firearm as well as the danger that another person may negligently cause it to fire.

Tell a Grown-up

Children should seek a trustworthy adult, neighbor, relative or teacher – if a parent or guardian is not available.

This information is listed for CRPA members’ convenience through websites not operated or maintained by CRPA. CRPA cannot vouch for the continued existence, business practices, or legitimacy of the listed businesses. Members are advised to contact the business to confirm hours of operation, locations, admittance policies, etc. before traveling to the location. — Always Use Firearms Responsibly —