Responsible Gun Ownership Includes Storage

Every course I teach starts with the three NRA rules for safe gun handling:

• ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
• ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
• ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

In the NRA Basics of Pistol course, we also cover additional safety rules needed to be a responsible gun owner.  One of these rules is:

• Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons

It is important that guns are not left lying around.  A gun is incredibly attractive to kids.  If they see it, they will want to touch it but they do not realize how dangerous it is.   This month I've seen two articles about young kids getting accidentally killed playing with guns.

• The first one was a 5 year old girl in Georgia who was shot and killed by a playmate at a babysitter's house.
• The second incident was a 2 year old boy in Indiana who shot and killed himself.

I never leave guns just lying around.  When I'm done at the range or carrying for self protection, I always put the guns into a safe or lockbox.  Some people may see this article and say, "I can't afford to buy a safe."  You don't have to buy a safe for $1000 or more, even something as simple and cheap as a $20 lockbox will keep your guns away from kids.  Also, all new guns come with a cable lock.   These aren't the best thing for quick access but would prevent the tragedies likes the ones mentioned above.

Bottom line, if you can't afford to or won't lock up the gun when not in use you shouldn't buy it.