Project ChildSafe is committed to providing educators (including firearm instructors, elementary, middle and high school teachers) and students the resources they need to spread the message of firearms safety. Below are checklists, tips and videos to help educate students.
It’s important that children become familiar with the rules of firearms safety.
For more educational resources and videos, please click here.
Project ChildSafe, together with The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), unveiled a new public service announcement, “Protect the People you Love,” to encourage families to talk about gun safety – regardless of whether they have a gun in the home.
The PSA focuses on the assumption that children are unaware of firearms in the home or that they know not to touch them without permission. The 30-second spot emphasizes how families can help prevent firearms accidents by talking about gun safety with children. Further, storing firearms responsibly addresses the issue that many children are often familiar with where and how firearms are stored – much more than parents might think.
As more Americans continue to purchase firearms for personal protection and safety, the importance of storing guns is critical. Although the number of fatal firearms accidents is at historic lows, the fact remains that these accidents are almost always preventable. Proper firearm storage helps prevent thefts, accidents and misuse, such as suicide.
Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. A “safe direction” means that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred, it would not result in injury.
Always keep your finger off the trigger until you actually intend to shoot. When handling a gun, rest your finger outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Don’t touch the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.
Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. Whenever you pick up a gun, such as when removing it from or returning it to storage, remember to point it in a safe direction and make sure it is unloaded.
Be sure you know how your firearm operates: read the manual on your firearm, know how to safely open and close the action of the firearm and know how to safely remove any ammunition from the firearm and its magazine.
Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use, ensuring they are in a location inaccessible by children and cannot be handled by anyone without your permission
Store your ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms.
Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. A gun lock should be used as an additional safety precaution and not as a substitute for secure storage.
Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand the safety guidelines concerning firearms. Have them sign the Project ChildSafe Pledge for young people—a reminder that if they find an unattended firearm in their home or a neighbor’s to not touch it, and tell an adult.
Always unload, clean and place your firearms in their secure storage location immediately after returning from a hunting trip or a day at the range.
Educate everyone in your family about firearms safety. Visit the Project ChildSafe website for safety information and to find out where to get a free firearm safety kit in your area.
