The improper and unsafe storage of firearms in households across the U.S. is a major safety and health problem causing serious injuries and death of our children and other loved ones every year.
In the U.S. between 1999 and 2010, more than 8,300 people were killed as a result of unintentional shootings, including 2,383 children and young people under the age of 21. A study on firearm storage practices in the U.S. conducted in 2005 discovered that more than 1.69 million people under the age of 18 were living in households with unlocked and loaded firearms.
It is the responsibility of the adult firearm owners to ensure that any and all firearms being stored in the household are safely secure and stored with a locking device, in a location that is inaccessible to children at all times.It doesn't matter how proficient you are, whether or not you have concealed carry insurance, or that you're children have been taught firearm safety, a loaded and unlocked firearm is a recipe for disaster.
How can firearm owners be certain that their firearms are always stored safely and securely?
Here are some of the most important firearm storage safety tips that can help protect and keep your family and loved ones safe.
- Keep all firearms stored with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, which means stored facing in a direction that would not result in the injury or death of a person if an accidental discharge of the firearm did happen.
- Unload any firearm before placing it in storage. Always store a firearm and its ammunition in separate storage containers and in different locations.
- Be sure all firearms are kept in storage devices specifically designed to store firearms safely and designed to be unlocked only by a key or combination.
- Every firearm being kept and stored at home must be installed with a proper safety locking device in order to prevent any unauthorized use or accidental discharge of the firearm while in storage.
- After using your firearm always unload and clean it before placing it in safe and secure storage. When handling or cleaning your firearm, never leave it unattended and/or out of sight, even for the shortest amount of time.
- Hide the keys to the locked ammunition and firearm storage devices in a place that you only know about and that is out of reach from children.
The safe and secure storage of a firearm is one of most important and crucial responsibilities that’s bestowed upon a gun owner. To prevent catastrophic injury or even death caused by the improper storage of firearms in a household. Some of the more common long term and permanent injuries that can be the result of a firearm are: Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, stunted growth, broken bones, and many more. All owners of firearms need to take this responsibility seriously as if it was a matter of life and death.
