Disclaimer: This blog is intended to provide general information about teaching children gun safety. Each family should consider their unique needs, values, and circumstances when deciding if and how to introduce firearms education to their children.

Teen shooter displays a solid Master Pistol Grip.

It’s not uncommon to hear people say they learned how to shoot before they were 10 years old. The same people probably have taught or plan to teach their own kids how to shoot. Teaching kids about gun safety is a super important responsibility for any gun-owning family. Whether or not you intend for your child to handle a firearm, building their understanding of gun safety can help prevent accidents and instill respect for the serious nature of these tools. Here are some things to consider when it comes to gun safety education with your children.

Age-Appropriate Lessons

Gun safety education can start early with a focus on simple rules:

Stop, Don’t Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult: Teach young children what to do if they find a firearm (whether at home or elsewhere). Repetition and practice of this rule can reinforce it as second nature.
Use real-world examples in a controlled setting to discuss why firearms should never be played with, emphasizing the difference between toys and real guns.

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Establish Open Communication

It’s important to create a household environment where children feel comfortable asking questions:

Encourage Curiosity Safely: If your child shows interest in your firearms, address their curiosity in a controlled, safe environment rather than brushing it off or making it a forbidden topic. This way you can reduce the allure of the "unknown."
Set Clear Rules: Clearly state the family’s rules on gun handling and safety. For example, only adults can access firearms, or no touching unless under supervision.
Communicate the Consequences: Without creating unnecessary fear, explain the potential dangers of improper firearm use and the importance of respecting the power and purpose of firearms.

Introduce Safe Handling Principles

When children are mature enough, you may want to consider hands-on education:

Teach the Four Basic Rules:

Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.
Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

Demonstrate and Practice: You can use inert training guns or safely unloaded firearms to show proper handling and help children practice checking that a gun is unloaded.
If or when appropriate, kids can be introduced to formal training with a Certified Instructor and/or through youth-focused shooting programs.

Emphasize Proper Storage

Part of teaching gun safety is ensuring that firearms are stored securely:

Use Gun Safes and Locks: Teach children that guns are always stored unloaded and locked away. Explain why this is important and make them aware of the different types of safe storage solutions.
No Access Without Permission: Reinforce that firearms should never be accessed without an adult’s explicit permission.

Why Gun Safety Matters for Children

Teaching kids about gun safety is more than just a precaution; it’s a way to build confidence, trust, and a culture of responsibility. When children understand the rules and respect the boundaries set by their guardians, they’re better equipped to act safely if faced with a real-world situation. Firearm safety education can save lives, prevent accidents, and foster a healthy, respectful relationship with firearms.

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About The Author

Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.