Some interesting facts about securing firearms.
[Researchers at Rutgers University] found that 58.3 percent of firearm owners store at least one firearm unlocked and hidden and 17.9 percent store at least one firearm unlocked and unhidden. Among those who store at least one firearm locked, gun safes are the most frequently used type of option both for devices opened by key, PIN code or dial lock (32.4 percent) and biometric devices (15.6 percent).
I don’t have any biometric devices. I frequently have at least one firearm that is not secured in the house, but there are no children in my house, which brings us to the next quote:
First, to address motivation we need to address disproportionate fears regarding the likelihood of armed home invasions. Similarly, we need to help the public better understand the risks associated with having firearms in the home – above and beyond the risk of unauthorized access by children.
Let me guess, this is the point where they trot out the old bull about guns being more likely to be used on a family member than a home invader. The problem with that “fact” is that guns are highly unlikely to be used against you or a family member if you are not a criminal. Gun safes don’t prevent suicide if the owner is the one committing suicide.
5 Comments
Himself · March 7, 2023 at 7:02 pm
An unloaded gun in a safe is nearly useless.
I have my .44 in my bedstand. Loaded.
I have the rest in my gun cabinet, the shotgun with shells on a stock shell holder. The clips to my 30-06 loaded on the shelf.
When the grandkids come over, the guns go in my office, which is shut and locked.
When they are older, they’ll be taught about how to deal with guns.
Divemedic · March 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm
I owned dozens of guns before the boating accident. I have a bedside gun safe that holds my defensive firearm. The rest stayed locked in the safe.
McChuck · March 8, 2023 at 6:55 am
Back before the tragic boating accident, I taught my 4 year old son to handle a 12 gauge shotgun. I unloaded it, and let him play with it. (It was taller than he was back then.) I then made him play with it until he was sick of it. Kids aren’t that interested in things that aren’t forbidden.
In Iraq, I’ve been to homes where loaded automatic weapons, including belt fed, are lying around. Their children were taught to not mess with them. I’ve seen an infant crawl past a loaded PKM, being careful not to touch it.
TRX · March 8, 2023 at 11:34 pm
> Gun safes don’t prevent suicide if the owner is the one committing suicide.
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Suicide isn’t a crime in about half the states.
D · March 9, 2023 at 8:01 pm
My state forbids having weapons “laying around” your home and apparently they can charge you criminally.
None the less, I have 100% ignored that law since the moment it was passed. I raised 5 kids, and every single one of them knew exactly where the guns were and that they were loaded. My youngest is now 16. Not a single one of my kids shot themselves or anyone else. Not a single one of my kids every “sneaked” and played with a gun.
It’s real simple: Don’t make them “forbidden fruit”. Make it clear they are dangerous and should not be touched without mom or dad making sure things are safe. When they’re interested, always make them safe, let the children handle them and take the opportunity to teach them about guns. When they’re old enough, let them start shooting with a .22. Let them shoot *any* time they’re interested, and supervise things to make sure everyone is safe. This removes the “forbidden fruit” aspect, and…if you’re lucky….you’ll end up with a bunch of adults who can easily bullseye a silver dollar at 100 yards.
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