Why “Just Teaching” Firearm Safety Isn’t Enough
Teaching children firearm safety is critical, but it’s not the whole picture.
Kids change, their brains develop, and the risks they face evolve with every stage of life.
Even the most responsible parent can’t control every moment. That’s why the safest approach blends education with secure storage, adjusting over time as your child grows.
A statistic to keep in mind
Most unintentional child firearm deaths occur in homes.
Early Childhood (0–5 Years)
Reality: Children under 5 can’t yet consistently follow safety rules. Their curiosity is boundless, and they often learn by touching, holding, and exploring.
- Risk: The highest risk of accidental discharge is due to a lack of understanding.
- Best Practice: Keep all firearms completely inaccessible; no exceptions. Education at this stage should be about “don’t touch” and telling an adult.
School Age (6–12 Years)
Reality: Children in this stage begin to understand danger but test boundaries. Peer influence can outweigh what they’ve been taught at home.
- Risk: Playing with or showing firearms to friends; attempting to “prove” they can handle a gun.
- Best Practice: Continue education while maintaining strict, secure storage. Reinforce that guns are never toys, even if they’ve “learned the rules.”
Teen Years (13–19 Years)
Reality: Teens have more physical ability, independence, and access to information. They can search online for tutorials or use trial-and-error to defeat basic locks.
Why Some Locks No Longer Work: Many simple locking devices, especially those with under 100 possible combinations, are no match for a determined teenager. With only 100 combinations, the chance of guessing the right one on the first try is 1%. On average, it would take about 50 tries (around 25 minutes at just 2 attempts per minute) to open it, and less if they move faster. Even the “worst case” of trying all 100 would only take about 50 minutes.
- Risk: Increased potential for both intentional and unintentional firearm misuse. Emotional stress and impulsive decisions amplify danger.
- Statistic: Firearms are the leading method of suicide among U.S. teens. (Source: CDC)
- Best Practice: Upgrade storage to a solution that can withstand more advanced attempts at access. Pair it with open conversations about mental health and utilize resources like Walk the Talk America’s free, anonymous mental health screenings and mental health plan.
Adulthood & Beyond
Reality: With maturity, responsibility, and training, a young adult may be ready for independent firearm access.
- Best Practice: Transition to shared responsibility by introducing supervised access, then authorized independent access when appropriate.
Storage That Adapts to Your Family
Your approach to firearm safety should grow with your children as they grow.
Education lays the foundation. Storage ensures that access happens only when it’s safe and intentional, no matter the stage.
A locking device that allows you to adjust who has access, and when, bridges the gap between education and real-world protection.
A Note on These Statistics
The numbers shared above aren’t meant to scare you. They’re here to help you understand the realities so you can make informed choices that reduce the risk of tragic outcomes.
Every family’s situation is unique, but awareness is the first step toward creating a safe, responsible home environment for everyone in it.