Teaching Children Gun Safety

As children many of us grew up around guns.  If you are like me you probably grew up with a love of guns, shooting and hunting.  As adults it is our duty to teach our children to have the same  love and respect for them.

You can begin teaching children gun safety at an early age with their toy guns.  As they get a little older you can graduate them to bb/pellet guns.   As they become more accustomed to handling a gun safely, move them up to the real deal.

Some simple rules that should be taught to children include:

• Always keep the gun safety on until you are ready to fire.
• Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
• Never point the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot.
• Always make sure that you know what your are shooting at.  (Always identify your target before you shoot).
• Never shoot at a sound.  What sounds like a game animal could be another hunter using a call.
• Always make sure the area behind your target is clear and safe.
• Never pick up a gun without your parents permission.
• Never touch a gun if your parents aren't there with you.

By starting them out early and using every opportunity that presents itself to teach our children about gun safety we can help to prevent many childhood accidents.

- Any day in the outdoors is a good day