Now that everyone has recovered from being sick, we’re finding that we have more free time. It’s been nice the past couple of days! So nice!
Since Mark was off of work the other day, we decided to fire a few rounds at the gun range.
The Gun Range
Gun range is a pretty lofty title for the place where we go shoot. How to describe the “Gun Range??”
It’s an unmanaged unofficial range up on Beretta Drive in the hills. I don’t know who owns it, but Mark’s co-worker told him about it shortly after we moved to the area.
It’s pretty laid back at the range.
So laid back, in fact, the day we went to the range, the cows were loose! A picture would be perfect right here.
Now all you gun haters out there…don’t be hatin’ on guns. We are not a gun-loving family by any means! But we think the right to bear arms is pretty rad and we choose to exercise that right.
Back to the pasture range…we brought our .22 survival rifle (which is compact and really a cool little gun). And our little itty bitty .380 with a laser that is not sighted in yet.
We have started teaching the kids about gun safety and drilling them on how to handle guns. They can answer basic safety questions pretty well and we run a TIGHT ship out at the range.
So here are our top tips for teaching kids about gun safety. And no, we are not trained professionals, just concerned parents.
Our TOP 9 Tips for Teaching Young Children Gun Safety
- Never, EVER point a gun at ANYTHING unless you intend to shoot it.
- Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.
- Do not put your finger near the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Always point a gun toward the ground. And not at your shoe because your foot is in there ~ that is E’s contribution.
- If you don’t know what to do, stop.
- Slow and calm movements are controlled and safe movements.
- The parent assisting must tell the child they are free to fire. Without our go ahead, they are NOT allowed to pull the trigger.
- They (the shooter) yells “Fire” when they are ready to shoot.
- Hearing and eye protection are to be worn at all times while at the range, (unless they are in a vehicle).
Mark is always helping them, and right beside them. One child is shooting, everyone else is in the van. We go for 1/2 hour or less, short for the kids. That’s it.
My Initial Reservations
In the beginning, I didn’t go with two older kids and I didn’t want Mark taking them to the range. But because our kids are fairly well behaved I wasn’t concerned with them not listening to us. I think it was more the stigma associated with firearms and just fear of something going wrong. Let me tell you…
Stigmas are stupid.
AND something can go wrong anywhere.
The benefits – which I’ll cover – outweigh any negatives. Truly, it’s been a positive experience.
Why This is Beneficial for Children.
- We get to demystify guns and take Hollywood out of guns. Remove the mystery.
- This allows us to squelch the desire to “play” with guns because they can appropriately use them under our direct supervision.
- They get to learn how to safely shoot them (at an age-appropriate level).
- They understand guns are dangerous and we are instilling respect for firearms.
So there you have it. Any tips or benefits you’d like to add?
Thank u 🙂
I think it is also important to teach kids what to do if they find a gun unattended or unsecured. Children need to know that they should tell an adult and leave it alone.
Very good point Patrick!
Great post. I’m hoping to get my children into competitive shooting. But I’m genuinely curious as to what you define as “gun-loving”?
Hi Cyrena, we also would love to get our kids into competitive shooting when they get a little older. I’m hoping there are more opportunities to do so once we move to Florida. I see such a practical reason for them to learn firearm skills and I see true value in the sport.
The view of “gun-loving” that I was speaking against is the one that is as portrayed in the media and comes with a VERY negative impression. Basically media portrays that those who are for gun-rights and ownership are angry, religious, and obsessive about firearms. That type of family is “gun-loving” according to media. It’s clearly a negative image.
As a family, we don’t own many firearms and aren’t out shooting frequently. Firearms simply aren’t a major hobby of ours. For those that it is, I think it’s great and shouldn’t be seen as negative at all.
I love this post. My in-laws are anti-gun, though I grew up in a hunting family. .22 rifle was my first gun. I still have it. And I love it. When I was first introduced to the range my two favorite phrases were ‘Range Cold’ (everyone put your guns down, so we can go look at our targets – you were immediately thrown out if you even looked like you were going to pick up the gun) and ‘Range Hot’ (the range is clear and guns may be handled once again. Little things like the phrases were such a fun part of the experience of learning how to handle guns.
I research gun safety all the time. I am beyond lucky that my kids go to a small private school where my husband and I have been asked to teach the kids about gun awareness and gun safety. Our rules we teach are similar to your and I took away a few things from reading this and other comments. Here are a few extra rules we have if any of you are interested.
A gun is not a toy.
Always know what is behind your target.
Be aware of other shooters (like at a range or shooting sporting clays, or dove and duck hunting) what we tell the kids is when our gun goes up you go down (staying low and or seated is always safe AND ALWAYS STAY BEHIND THE SHOOTER NEVER TO THE SIDE OR IN FRONT OF EVEN IF IT IS AT AN ANGLE)
As parents and part of the class we teach for the older kids 4th and up we take a laser pointer with us and show how easy it is with just the slightest movement of the wrist can make a huge difference.
Another rule is keep your safety on until you intend to shoot and the second you are done with that shot safety goes on…safety off-fire-safety on.
Be aware of who’s house your kids are going to. My husband is a Marine and a good friend of his is a marine as well and a huge hunter. We quickly found out that his gun safety was seriously lacking… He came to our place and brought a camper to stay for a bit..He has three kids as well. Not only did he leave guns on tables out side and in the trucks he had loaded unsecure guns in his camper… This is WRONG and he should have know better not only as a Marine and adult but as a father. We had to have a long talk that ended in a very serious note of secure your guns or you can leave. People take for granted that other adults know or willingly let their kids sleep over at some ones house and guns are NEVER something they think about. YOU AS A PARENT NEED TO KNOW. Any responsible gun owner should have no trouble telling you if a gun is in their house and if it is secure. And make sure to know what their secure means. A closet is not secure or up high or a gun that doesn’t have a round in the chamber. Anyway just a FEW things to add 😉 so sorry this got away from me but as a mother and a lover of guns it is so important to teach our kids and be aware ourselves as parents and I think it is important to share with each other.
Love your additions Brittney!! Thank you!
I research gun safety all the time. I am beyond lucky that my kids go to a small private school where my husband and I have been asked to teach the kids about gun awareness and gun safety. Our rules we teach are similar to your and I took away a few things from reading this and other comments. Here are a few extra rules we have if any of you are interested.
A gun is not a toy.
Always know what is behind your target.
Be aware of other shooters (like at a range or shooting sporting clays, or dove and duck hunting) what we tell the kids is when our gun goes up you go down (staying low and or seated is always safe AND ALWAYS STAY BEHIND THE SHOOTER NEVER TO THE SIDE OR IN FRONT OF EVEN IF IT IS AT AN ANGLE)
As parents and part of the class we teach for the older kids 4th and up we take a laser pointer with us and show how easy it is with just the slightest movement of the wrist can make a huge difference.
Another rule is keep your safety on until you intend to shoot and the second you are done with that shot safety goes on…safety off-fire-safety on.
Be aware of who’s house your kids are going to. My husband is a Marine and a good friend of his is a marine as well and a huge hunter. We quickly found out that his gun safety was seriously lacking… He came to our place and brought a camper to stay for a bit..He has three kids as well. Not only did he leave guns on tables out side and in the trucks he had loaded unsecure guns in his camper… This is WRONG and he should have know better not only as a Marine and adult but as a father. We had to have a long talk that ended in a very serious note of secure your guns or you can leave. People take for granted that other adults know or willingly let their kids sleep over at some ones house and guns are NEVER something they think about. YOU AS A PARENT NEED TO KNOW. Any responsible gun owner should have no trouble telling you if a gun is in their house and if it is secure. And make sure to know what their secure means. A closet is not secure or up high or a gun that doesn’t have a round in the chamber. Anyway just a FEW things to add 😉 so sorry this got away from me but as a mother and a lover of guns it is so important to teach our kids and be aware ourselves as parents and I think it is important to share with each other.
This really made my day! I’m glad to see a family not only using guns in a safe and responsible way, but teaching their children to do the same. Your list of safety tips seems simple, but comprehensive, and I agree completely with every point. Thanks so much for writing!
Thank you Paul! I appreciate your comment!
This really made my day! I’m glad to see a family not only using guns in a safe and responsible way, but teaching their children to do the same. Your list of safety tips seems simple, but comprehensive, and I agree completely with every point. Thanks so much for writing!
Thanks for your post. Totally what I’m looking for my research about children guns safety.