We hear of tragic accidents happening every day. Car accidents, four wheeling accidents, biking accidents. As responsible parents we do what we can to make sure that our children are kept safe, protected from these life dangers. We teach our little ones why cars are so dangerous, and to buckle their seat belts at all time. We teach them how to ride a bike, but we teach them to wear a helmet first. But all to often, we hear of children or parents killed in gun accidents, and we say to ourselves, that will never happen to me. 

It doesn't have to happen to you. As a matter of fact there are things that you can do to make sure it never will happen. There are certain statistics that say a child a day is shot by a gun that was not put away the proper secure storage, even worse, children are shot accidentally by guns that they find laying around and loaded- LOADED. How irresponsible can you be? Children only know what they are taught, and believe it or not, children are taught the most by example. We can't expect our children to grow up to be responsible adults unless we behave ourselves responsibly. Do not fall prey to the mistakes that too often traumatize people just like you.  

As a responsible parent the first thing to do if you purchase a gun, and for whatever reason you purchase it, is to teach your children what it is, and the rules about it. Make sure that your children know the difference between toy guns and real guns. In the society that they have been raised in they are taught that guns and killing are glorified events. But the truth is, death is terrible, and the guilt your child will harbor for the rest of their lives if an accident does occur is something you will hold on your conscious as well. Teach them what to do if they find a gun. They should never touch it and if an adult is with them they should make sure to let the adult deal with the weapon.  If you have older children, teach them how to unload the gun, how to put on the safety and where it is supposed to be kept. 

Go out and buy yourself the proper storage cabinet for your gun. Guns should be kept unloaded, and with their safeties on at all times. Purchase a steel gun cabinet or safe, with thick walls and doors, and a secure lock. If it is a hand gun, make sure that the safe is kept out of the reach of your children, or bolt it to the floor. Store the keys, if you have keys, and the ammo in a completely different place in the house, and definitely do not keep the keys for the safe with the rest of your household keys.   

Please don't make the mistake of thinking an accident can't happen to you because it can and will especially when you are careless and unprepared. This is a serious problem, that should be dealt with in a responsible manner. And when you do have your gun dealt with in the proper way, you will rest much easier knowing you have done what it takes to keep your family safe from the inside and the outside.