We keep guns in our homes in case of emergencies and to protect our families and property. However, there are some important considerations to take into account to make sure you are keeping you and your family safe. Below we will look at storing guns, children and guns, gun safety plans, and the types of guns to consider for self-protection.
Gun Storage VS Emergency Preparation
Many homeowners get this aspect of gun ownership wrong.
They purchase a gun and take a concealed weapons class in an attempt to be proactive about self-protection then neglect to keep their defense tool in a quickly accessible location. Having a gun for self-defense also means having access to it when you need it. There are a few storing principles that can be used at your discretion:
- Unloaded
- Locked up
- Trigger lock
- Slide lock
These are based on preference but should also be taken into account in a household with children.
<h2>Kids and Guns?</h2>
For gun owners with children in the home you will want to make sure your gun is in a safe location not easily accessed by your children. For parents with infants or toddlers in the house keep the gun in place that is completely out of reach. For toddlers, keep the gun(s) in a place where they can’t access them at all.
This could be a safe, a locked drawer, or somewhere safely stowed in your bedroom. Children can be introduced to the shooting sport as young as three years old so that they form a good understanding of firearms early on. A .22 caliber youth rifle is a good gun to introduce children to and it goes without saying they should always be supervised and be adorned with eye/ear protection that properly fits.
<h2>Develop a Safety Plan</h2>
If you have not already developed a safety plan for an emergency situation now is the time to do so. Prepare your family for a situation where an uninvited intruder breaks into your home. Consider the entrance points available and what you would do if you heard or saw someone in your home. Intruders are likely after your property, your finances, you or your family. Develop a plan of action the whole family can respond to in the event a threatening event happens in your home and rehears how you will handle it.
<h2>Gun Safety Selection</h2>
Some guns are more suitable for self-protection than others. A 12-gauge shotgun is the best home defense gun as it only requires the user to point and shoot. Especially true in a mobile home with children, a gun owner needs to consider the impact a bullet will have as they can easily penetrate walls. A 12-gauge may also be a good choice for a home with nothing more than drywall between the walls. A 9mm will go through drywall with enough force to cause injury where a 12-gauge will not. In a home with brick or concrete construction regular handgun rounds may bounce. For a good home defense gun consider a Taurus Judge revolver that can shoot both .410 shotgun rounds and .45 caliber rounds. The buckshot won’t endanger anyone else in the home if fired as it does not penetrate drywall easily.
<h2>The Takeaway</h2>
A safe homeowner realizes the difference between storing a gun and keeping it nearby for safety. They also develop a safety plan for their family in the case of an emergency and have taken the time to rehearse their plan in advance. Finally the type of gun you use to protect your family is a worthwhile consideration as home construction can have an impact on bullet ballistics.
For more information on gun safety for the home or CCW classes contact us today.
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