Firearm Safety

There is no magic solution that will eradicate, teen suicides, or accidental with firearms in the home. We can, however, reduce the likelihood of these tragedies occurring. The National Crime Prevention Council, with various partners, developed a public education campaign that urges firearm owners to "Lock It Up". Safety advocates recommend that you safely store firearms from unsupervised children, at-risk youth, potential thieves, and those who intend to harm themselves or others. Please report lost or stolen firearms to local law enforcement. You can report illegal firearms to Gunstoppers.

Selling your firearm safely is part of firearms safety. Every day responsible gun owners take certain safety measures. You ensure they are used and stored safely to help protect yourself and others. Selling your firearm safely can help achieve those same goals. Using a federal firearms license (FFL) can provide a secure process if you want to transfer your firearm to another person. It provides several advantages such as a third party location for the transfer, assurance of a background check on the buyer, and it helps law enforcement trace the firearm to the buyer if it is ever used in the commission of a crime. Visit Sell with Certainty for more information on how to safely sell your firearm.

Additional Link(s):

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

hs career day 3Parents Talk Gun Safety with Your Children:

It is important to start a dialogue with your children about what to do if they find a gun.

  • Walk away and tell a parent if your friend shows you his parent's gun
  • Tell an adult if you hear someone say that they are going to bring a gun to school
  • If you're not sure why a gun is dangerous, talk to a parent or guardian about it.
  • Remember, if you see a gun to 1. Stop 2. Don't touch 3. Get away 4. Tell an adult
  • Tell an adult immediately if you see a gun in someone's backpack at school

Safety Tips for Firearm Handling:

There are basic tips to follow when you handle and/or own a firearm. Remember to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire, and treat every gun as if it were loaded. Listed below are some more safety tips:

  • Help keep guns out of the wrong hands by securely storing firearms when not in use
  • Store ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms
  • Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting
  • Safe storage options like gun locks or safes are available for all home situations
  • Hiding a gun is not secure storage
  • Talk to your children regularly about gun safety