photo courtesy of the author
The second amendment states “a well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” In our modern country, we have kept this amendment true. Though we should keep true that gun safety is more important than who owns what gun. So, I say, don’t just teach adults, teach children gun safety as well. Teach them from a young age about firearms.
When I was little, my first experience I had with guns was from my father. He and his brother taught me the valuable lesson of how to safely handle a handgun. I was taught how to hand a gun to someone, how to receive a gun handed to me, how to store a gun, how to check the chamber correctly, and, most importantly, the idea of treating every gun as if it is loaded. To this day whenever I handle any gun, I always use those principles that were instilled in me from a young age. So, I say that all children should receive basic gun safety, so that they can better understand how to treat guns.
I am more afraid of someone who doesn’t like guns and doesn’t know basic safety than I am of someone who owns 30 or more guns. If a grown adult does not know even the basics of guns, how can they teach their children in a correct way that doesn’t lead to problems? It is one of the most important things to be able to at least give your child a basic lesson in gun safety, because you won’t always be there when situations arise. People might say teaching young children about guns would be dangerous. I say not teaching them is just as dangerous. Without basic knowledge, a child who is confronted with a gun is dangerous to themselves and others. In teaching a child about guns, they can understand how to navigate situations with firearms. Being able to sit your child down and giving them an understanding of even the most basic knowledge about firearms goes a long way. Even if that knowledge is just the fact to treat every gun as if it is loaded.
Another part parents must push is tearing down guns as weapons and propping up guns as tools. It is completely natural for someone to be cautious around guns, like how they are cautious around knives, but to only see guns as weapons is a terrible mindset. Now some might argue that my comparison of knives isn’t correct because knives don’t project metal at over 700 feet per second. I would say to their arguments that they are correct; that is why it is ok to be cautious around guns. However, if all you see when you look at guns is a weapon of killing, then you will never see them as tools of sport or necessity. Guns can be used in the sports of trap and other competitive shooting events. They can be tools used for hunting wildlife. Guns are not always weapons to cause violence towards humans; they are more often than not tools for humans.
Additionally, gun safety can give children experiences of responsibility that will develop their ability to advocate for themselves in serious situations. When I was little, I was not a fan of the kickback from my father’s handgun. I understood that it was more dangerous for me to continue firing the handgun than it was for me to say I didn’t want to fire it. I advocated for myself and in turn, I didn’t fire the handgun until I was able to manage the kickback. Children can learn just like I did when it comes to firearms and safety. They can advocate and learn the importance of their voices. These safety measures can turn into lifelong practices that can be applied for other life events.
So, it goes to say that in teaching children gun safety they can learn more about themselves. They can learn the importance of advocacy, knowing limits and most importantly how to view guns as tools. So, teach children safety. Teach them guns!
One more thing, just for my father. Thank you for exposing me to gun safety from a young age and allowing me to gain the extremely important ability of learning to handle firearms. I will always remember fondly the fall days when I was 8 and you taking us out to practice. I wouldn’t be the young man I am today without you. Thank you so much.