Sometimes gun-owning parents who live with firearm safety every day take for granted that every member in the family knows age-appropriate rules about gun safety. But if you haven't had "the talk" with the children in your home, they may have questions that haven't been addressed. The conversation is equally important for families who don't have firearms in the house. Their children are just as likely to have questions about guns, and at some point, they will be in homes or other areas where they may come into contact with guns. Project ChildSafe has created a new video, "How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Safety," to help parents have that important conversation. The video stars army veteran, champion shooter, and mom Julie Golob. Watch the video, and please share it with your friends and social media connections.
From the time you pick up a firearm, you become part of a system over which you have complete control. You are the only part of the system that can make a gun safe -- or unsafe. Here are 10 basics of gun handling that you must know, courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF):
1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
3. Don’t rely on your gun’s “Safety.”
4. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
5. Use correct ammunition.
6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care!
7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
8. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
9. Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly.
10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.
NSSF has developed a booklet that explains each of these gun safety rules in detail. You can view or download it here. NSSF also offers other safety literature for use by individuals, families, or shooting teams. You can find it atwww.nssf.org/safety/lit/.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing shooting-sports education and opportunities to school-age youths around the United States to encourage young athlete personal growth and development. Tax-ID number 20-8484121.
Sometimes gun-owning parents who live with firearm safety every day take for granted that every member in the family knows age-appropriate rules about gun safety. But if you haven't had "the talk" with the children in your home, they may have questions that haven't been addressed. The conversation is equally important for families who don't have firearms in the house. Their children are just as likely to have questions about guns, and at some point, they will be in homes or other areas where they may come into contact with guns. Project ChildSafe has created a new video, "How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Safety," to help parents have that important conversation. The video stars army veteran, champion shooter, and mom Julie Golob. Watch the video, and please share it with your friends and social media connections. 
