Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
From as early as I can remember, there were guns in the house while I grew up. Back in the day, it was more common for guns to be in a closet or under a bed, as were the guns in my parent's home. Now, responsible gun owners are expected to have their guns locked up and out of reach of children. I can understand why and I don't disagree. The cost of a safe is far cheaper than the cost of a life. So if we all lock up our guns, how, when, and to what extent to we teach our children about guns, gun safety, and how to use them?
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says,
Parents, professionals and many others are concerned about the large numbers of children and adolescents killed by firearms. In order to prevent further deaths, it is important to remember the following:
1) We cannot gun-proof our children and adolescents. Children are playful and active. Adolescents are curious and impulsive. Such healthy traits when mixed with guns can cause death.
2) The best way to protect children against gun violence is to remove all guns from the home. If guns are kept in the home, there will always be dangers.
Point number one applies to adults too. We can't gun-proof anyone. Such healthy traits such as curiosity and impulsiveness can be deadly when mixed with just about anything. Singling out guns is not helping to remove the dangers of chainsaws that many people own and leave unlocked in a garage or shed.