Drizzt
Member
Keep kids safe near firearms
QUESTION: My husband has a small gun collection, which I'm concerned about my children coming into contact with. Do you have any suggestions to help me safeguard my children or help educate them?
— Judy, Alameda
ANSWER: The encouraging thing about your question is you're taking proactive steps toward safety before any tragic accidents. As members of the COPPS unit, our duties often bring us to elementary schools for safety talks and the like. Children are often fascinated with our duty belts and all the bells and whistles they contain. Unfortunately, our duty weapon seems to pique the most interest.
That interest isn't limited to boys. Girls are just as fascinated.
We use that opportunity to give an impromptu safety message in case they ever come across a real gun in their homes or in the street. Our message to younger children is always: Don't touch a gun. Tell a trusted adult what you have found. We teach this practice to every first-grade child in Alameda as part of our Children's Awareness Program.
Don't assume because you don't own a gun your child is not in need of training. Your kids may come in contact with a firearm in someone else's home, or they may find one in their travels. If you own a firearm, we advise enrolling yourself and your family in a firearms safety course.
The No. 1 rule in those courses is almost always: Treat all guns as if they are loaded. This rule is important as it builds a healthy respect for guns and ingrains proper handling. Never deviate from this rule, not even after you have determined the firearm is unloaded. If you must handle a firearm, make safe handling a regular habit.
Different schools of thought exist as to whether to expose your children to a gun or not. Some claim exposure leads to increased interest. Others claim it demystifies and leads to less interest. Which line of thinking you subscribe to ultimately is up to you and your comfort level. You should know your children better than anyone else, so we will leave that decision up to you. Regardless of how you feel, education is still an absolute must.
Unintentional gun deaths among children are rising. Shootings are now the fourth leading cause of unintentional death for children, and for every child killed four more are wounded.
Following a few simple rules can help to slow this terrible trend:
-The law in California is to store all firearms out of the reach of children. Lock up your weapons. Triple lock your firearm if possible.
-Ensure your firearm is locked with a device that renders it inoperable by using a trigger lock. Keep it in a locked container in a locked storage cabinet or drawer. The Alameda Police Department has free gun locks available at our front counter.
-Keep the gun unloaded. Store bullets in a separate locked container in a different locked cabinet. Reminder: Treat all guns as if they are loaded, even if they are a BB or pellet gun. Never point a gun at yourself or another person.
-Always keep the gun's safety on, even if it is unloaded.
-Tell your children to never touch a gun and remind them of all the rules.
Remember: Gun safety depends on you. Do your part to spread the message and enforce these rules. If you would like information on gun safety, check www.california.com/jtchew/BAranges.html. That site has a list of local gun ranges, many of which have safety programs.
If you have a firearm you do not want, call your local law enforcement agency and they will take possession of the firearm and destroy it for you. If you would like further information on gun safety or have further questions, don't hesitate to call the COPPS unit at 337-8305.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_2604681
QUESTION: My husband has a small gun collection, which I'm concerned about my children coming into contact with. Do you have any suggestions to help me safeguard my children or help educate them?
— Judy, Alameda
ANSWER: The encouraging thing about your question is you're taking proactive steps toward safety before any tragic accidents. As members of the COPPS unit, our duties often bring us to elementary schools for safety talks and the like. Children are often fascinated with our duty belts and all the bells and whistles they contain. Unfortunately, our duty weapon seems to pique the most interest.
That interest isn't limited to boys. Girls are just as fascinated.
We use that opportunity to give an impromptu safety message in case they ever come across a real gun in their homes or in the street. Our message to younger children is always: Don't touch a gun. Tell a trusted adult what you have found. We teach this practice to every first-grade child in Alameda as part of our Children's Awareness Program.
Don't assume because you don't own a gun your child is not in need of training. Your kids may come in contact with a firearm in someone else's home, or they may find one in their travels. If you own a firearm, we advise enrolling yourself and your family in a firearms safety course.
The No. 1 rule in those courses is almost always: Treat all guns as if they are loaded. This rule is important as it builds a healthy respect for guns and ingrains proper handling. Never deviate from this rule, not even after you have determined the firearm is unloaded. If you must handle a firearm, make safe handling a regular habit.
Different schools of thought exist as to whether to expose your children to a gun or not. Some claim exposure leads to increased interest. Others claim it demystifies and leads to less interest. Which line of thinking you subscribe to ultimately is up to you and your comfort level. You should know your children better than anyone else, so we will leave that decision up to you. Regardless of how you feel, education is still an absolute must.
Unintentional gun deaths among children are rising. Shootings are now the fourth leading cause of unintentional death for children, and for every child killed four more are wounded.
Following a few simple rules can help to slow this terrible trend:
-The law in California is to store all firearms out of the reach of children. Lock up your weapons. Triple lock your firearm if possible.
-Ensure your firearm is locked with a device that renders it inoperable by using a trigger lock. Keep it in a locked container in a locked storage cabinet or drawer. The Alameda Police Department has free gun locks available at our front counter.
-Keep the gun unloaded. Store bullets in a separate locked container in a different locked cabinet. Reminder: Treat all guns as if they are loaded, even if they are a BB or pellet gun. Never point a gun at yourself or another person.
-Always keep the gun's safety on, even if it is unloaded.
-Tell your children to never touch a gun and remind them of all the rules.
Remember: Gun safety depends on you. Do your part to spread the message and enforce these rules. If you would like information on gun safety, check www.california.com/jtchew/BAranges.html. That site has a list of local gun ranges, many of which have safety programs.
If you have a firearm you do not want, call your local law enforcement agency and they will take possession of the firearm and destroy it for you. If you would like further information on gun safety or have further questions, don't hesitate to call the COPPS unit at 337-8305.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_2604681
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