Every firearm owner is responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone in their household, especially if they have children. Careless gun ownership can lead to tragedies that could have been avoidable. Fortunately, a few basic safety measures can prevent almost all of these tragic accidents and keep your family safe.

5 Home Safety Tips for Firearm Owners

1. Keep Them Unloaded

Always store your weapons unloaded, and never assume that a firearm is safe. Any time you take your gun out or put it away, point it away from your body and double-check to make sure it’s not loaded. For added safety, store the ammunition in a separate location from the weapons.

2. Lock Them Up

Always keep your firearms in a locked cabinet, gun safe, or locking storage case when they’re not in use. Also be sure that only you have access to the key or combination so no one else can handle your weapons without your permission.

3. Use a Locking Device

For added safety, use a gun locking device to “child-proof” your weapons. However, keep in mind that these locks aren’t sufficient on their own, and aren’t intended to act as a substitute for a gun safe and other best practices. 

4. Put Them Away Immediately

As soon as you get home from a hunting trip or a day at the range, put your guns away immediately. It only takes a moment for tragedy to happen, so make safely storing your firearms a priority.

5. Teach Firearm Safety

Make sure your children know that guns are not toys and that they shouldn’t be touched without adult supervision. When they’re older, you can take them to a shooting range where they can practice and learn how to handle firearms safely.
 

As one of Columbia, IL’s, best indoor shooting ranges and gun retailers, Shooter's Firearms & Indoor Range has a friendly, highly trained staff ready to advise on proper home safety. Their shooting ranges also give you the chance to practice safely and participate in exciting competitions. Visit their website or Facebook to learn more about their training courses, call (618) 281-6393 with any questions, or drop by their facility anytime.