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How to Practice Gun Safety in the Home. Whether you own guns for hunting, sport shooting,
or protection, these simple steps can help you store them safely. You will need Training
Trigger or cable locks Secure gun storage and secure ammunition storage. Firearms are
extremely dangerous. Handle them with caution, keep them away from children, and know the
gun laws in your area. Step 1. Follow the basic rules of gun safety: Treat every gun
as if it's loaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your finger straight
and off the trigger until a target is in your sights, and be sure of your target and what's
behind it. Each gun is unique -- make sure you know how the specifics of operating any
firearm you own. Step 2. Attend a gun safety course to educate yourself on how to handle
firearms. Go online or head to your local shooting range to find gun safety classes
in your area. Step 3. Educate children on the dangers of firearms and what they should
do if they ever encounter one. If a child sees a gun they should: Stop, not touch it,
leave the area, and tell an adult. Step 4. Unload all firearms before bringing them into
the home and make sure they're unloaded every time you handle them. Step 5. Use trigger
or cable locks, and always store guns in locked cabinets, drawers, or in a gun safe. Check
with your local police department to find out if your community has a free trigger lock
program. Step 6. Lock up ammunition separately from the guns. This makes it far more difficult
for children to use the weapon if they ever find it, and helps keep your household safe.
Did you know The percentage of American homes that own guns dropped from 54 percent in 1977
to 34.5 percent in 2006.