6 Safety Tips For Keeping Guns In Your Home

Owning guns is a huge responsibility, especially if there are children living in your home. Whether you own firearms for protection, hunting, or sport, it is important to the safety of those around you to keep the guns securely stowed when not in use, and always handle them properly. All too often we hear tragic stories of accidental gun shootings in the home because it was assumed a gun wasn't loaded or because kids had easy access to the weapons. However, with diligent adherence to safe practices, you can safely keep guns in your home and enjoy the sport or personal security benefits they provide.

1. Never bring a loaded gun into your home. In fact, the only time your guns should be loaded is when you are at your target destination. When you are finished with target practice, or ending your hunting adventure for they day, remove unused ammo before placing the guns in your car and heading home.

2. Always check to make sure a gun is unloaded before you handle it. You can't double check too often and assuming a gun is unloaded could be a fatal mistake. Keep the action open after you check for ammo until the gun is ready to be placed in storage. Make a habit to check your firearms for ammo before you hand off a gun, accept a gun from someone else, transport the firearm, or place in it storage.

3. Store guns in your home under lock and key. Don't rely on finding a safe hiding place that is not locked, especially if you have kids. Rifles and shotguns can be placed in locking racks.

Revolvers and pistols can be kept locked in a home safe. Sentry Safes are ideal for this as they will protect your guns from fires, floods, and theft as well as keep them out of reach of children. Sentry safes are also good for storing ammo, although many home safety experts recommend you store ammo and firearms in separate locations so it takes a deliberate effort to assemble and use the weapons.

4. Teach and practice gun safety. Never horseplay with guns and never point a gun at another person, even if you believe a gun is not loaded. While children shouldn't be able to get their hands on guns, it is still a good idea to teach them how to respect firearms so they understand the dangers associated with them.

5. Store guns in temperature and humidity controlled areas. In addition to protecting your family, you also want to protect your guns. This means keeping them properly maintained and storing them in an appropriate environment. Excess humidity and heat can cause wooden stocks to split and metal parts to rust.

6. Learn how to use a gun properly. If you buy a gun for personal safety, it is important to learn how to use it the right way otherwise it could be dangerous in an emergency situation. Take classes so you know how the gun operates and you understand how to use it to your best advantage in a home invasion situation. If you want to use rifles for hunting, there are many things you should know first to stay safe. For example, you want to know how to hike with a loaded gun, climb fences, climb a tree, wade a stream, and any of the other activities you will encounter in the woods.

Gun ownership can bring you many benefits. You will have peace of mind knowing you are able to protect your home and family. You may love the sport of hunting your own food or simply target shooting. Guns sometimes get bad press, but when they are handled responsibly, they can be safely kept in your home. When it comes to owning and handling guns, "safety first" should always be your guiding motto.