Gun Talk w/ Children

[jamee]

Hi ladies! My boyfriend and I are in our mid-20's and we occasionally have my nieces and nephew over for the weekend. My nephew (5-years-old) saw me putting one of our handguns away and he asked a lot of questions:

1. Why do you have guns?
2. Why do you need guns?
3. Why can't you just call the cops because cops have guns?
4. Are you going to kill someone?

I tried to answer them as best as I could using self-defense and protection-of-the-family answers but then realized that I need to have the "gun talk" with him as well. I remember being his age, a police officer came into our classroom and had the "gun talk" with us and I couldn't grasp it until I got much older. My family's pro-gun but my parents never had the talk with us growing up. We never asked questions because the guns were always in the safe. Out of sight, out of mind. Any tip or suggestion on how to talk to kids about gun safety and at what age. Thanks in advance!

[hermosabeach]

Keep the answers appropriate for 5 year olds...

You can also find shows with hunting and guns shown in a positive light.


The NRA has eddy eagle material for teaching kids and guns. It might be worth ordering some material and coloring books for the nephews.

[grantar2]

The NSSF (hosts of the SHOT Show) have teamed up with many of us in the industry and promote child gun safety through Project Child Safe. May I highly recommend reading the and watching the video at the following link. http://www.nssfblog.com/new-project-...ut-gun-safety/

I think this will help you greatly, it's tested, proven, and free.

As Hermosabeach mentioned NRA has Eddy the Eagle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIEBrb_wRYc

https://eddieeagle.nra.org/

Although you didn't ask, of course there is a part you have to do if your going to be around children with guns. Never assume they can't find it, or won't touch it. Don't assume they can't operate it (a two year old shot the mom in January with her Shield kept in her purse well they were at WallMart.)

[jeremiah12]

I second all the previous suggestions. I would like to add talk to his parents also. You do not want to overstep boundaries and upset them, though I agree, gun education should be a part of every child's education. 5 is not too early if it is kept age appropriate.

Do not overlook the sporting aspect of shooting. Self-defense is great but target shooting is lots of fun.

For young children, they need reassurance that they are safe and many get the message in pre-school and elementary schools that guns are dangerous and bad and only hurt people. They only people that should have guns are the police.

Sometimes asking a few questions yourself like what do you think about guns lets you understand what his thinking is. Understand though that for most 5 yo a simple basic answer is all they can process. They need reassurance that your gun will not hurt them.

[Svetlana]

I remember around that age my mom gave me the "knives talk", because we were going to have steak that night and she wanted me to be responsible with knives.

The first two things she taught me were that knives were tools, but they are very dangerous and you can injure yourself and die. I didn't ask much, just listened.

I guess she felt I was old enough to learn how to use one under supervision. Every child is different though, some are more ready than others. You know your kids best.

Most important thing that I realize now is to listen to your children, let them ask questions and answer as simple and directly as possible. But put some "maybes" in to it so it doesn't look too black and white.

[odysseus]

I remember around that age my mom gave me the "knives talk", because we were going to have steak that night and she wanted me to be responsible with knives.

The first two things she taught me were that knives were tools, but they are very dangerous and you can injure yourself and die. I didn't ask much, just listened.

I will echo this sentiment from my own life as a boy and as a Dad. The first most important part is building a foundation of respect. Respect for of course what you are telling them, but also for certain things in the world. From the very earliest beginnings even as they are learning to speak, the idea that some things are toys and some things are tools, and that if not treated with respect things can happen, are things you build on. So that when they are old enough to handle or be around a firearm, they already have a good idea what you are talking about, even before you begin the lessons, and they are listening to you. The bonus is they will have a lot of fun, we all can remember the first time we got to shoot that rifle or pistol, yes?

[Off the Roster]

5 year olds are not capable of intellectual concepts so there is no need for deep conversation. It's not your job to have any "gun" conversation with him,
that is for his parents to decide and field. It is your job to keep them securely put away when he is present.

1. Because I like them.
2. Because I like them.
3. You can.
4. I'm not planning on it.

[Pally]

Good post OP! Welcome to the forum. Tagged for interest.

[BonnieB]

I think "the gun talk" is the privilege and responsibility of the child's parents. As an aunt, you might say something the parents wouldn't agree with or appreciate. So leave it to them, unless they won't do it.

That said, you ARE responsible to say "This is for grownups only, just like a car. You never touch it EVER".

I'd encourage all parents to get their kids into gun safety training as early as possible.

The child's parents DO know you have guns in the house when their kids are there, right? And the guns are locked in a safe? Right?

(If it were my house and I didn't have a safe, I'd take the barrels out of the guns and lock them in the glove box of my car, and then lock the dang guns with a cable lock anyway. All guns are loaded but it's darn hard to shoot them without a barrel...)

[Off the Roster]

And the guns are locked in a safe? Right?

According to the original post the child witnessed the OP putting a gun away and that is what facilitated the questions. Logic determines that not all firearms were locked away prior to the child's arrival.

[BonnieB]

Precisely my point Roster. WHY were the guns not locked up before the child arrived ?

If the child was in the house before the gun-carrier arrived, why was the child allowed to see the gun being put away?

Locked is locked, what little eyes see CAN hurt them. All children snoop, which is how these accidents happen.

A friend of mine who has grandchildren and a gun cabinet but no safe, 'lends' all his guns to me for the weekend. (And no, there are no children in my home, ever.)

[movie zombie]

According to the original post the child witnessed the OP putting a gun away and that is what facilitated the questions. Logic determines that not all firearms were locked away prior to the child's arrival.

serious mistake.

[Mamabearof3]

Eddy Eagle is a great age appropriate program. The NRA has a free video on line with a really catchy song. My 5 and 7 year old liked watching it. The hardest thing is keeping it age approriate. It is too bad they don't come talk to our kids these days in school, heaven forbid you even say the word gun at school.

[savannah]

Kids aren't dumb. You can't just hide the fact you have guns and assume nothing will ever be asked by a child. My son has borrowed a gun or a shotgun and his children have seen his hunting equipment my sporting clay equipment. There have also been conversations that little ears hear. Kids are smart.

I agree that it is a parents prerogative to answer sensitive questions about firearms to the parent. You can answer ever single question easily and simply to a child without having a "gun discussion" with a child who knows you have firearms.

1. Why do you have guns?
A. For sports and hunting
2. Why do you need guns?
A. For sports and Hunting.
3. Why can't you just call the cops? They have guns.
A. You can call the cops and yes, they have guns also.
4. Are you planning on killing someone.
A. Absolutely not.

Didn't realize until I went back to look at each question that Roster had answered the question the same way.

My children know I have guns, my grandchildren also know I have guns. Do I bring them out when they are here? Nope.

I would also let the parents know that questions had been asked and the kids are curious. Important information for a parent.

No home with firearms should be without a safe. Period. Guns should be secure from children and from break ins.