At Basalt Firearms, we believe responsible gun ownership begins at home and that includes having honest conversations with your children about gun safety. Whether or not your kids have shown an interest in firearms, it’s essential they understand how to be safe around them. This isn’t about instilling fear, it’s about teaching awareness, respect, and responsibility.
Start the conversation early, before your child ever encounters a firearm. You don’t need to get technical or use intense language, just speak clearly and age-appropriately. Younger children benefit from simple rules they can easily remember.
For young kids, we recommend starting with the basics. A simple, memorable rule set, like the “Stop, Don’t Touch, Run Away, Tell an Adult” message from the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program is a good place to begin:
- Stop – As soon as they see a gun.
- Don’t Touch – Never pick it up or try to move it.
- Run Away – Distance is safety.
- Tell an Adult – Find a trusted grown-up immediately.
These rules are easy for kids to remember and practice, even with toy guns or role-playing scenarios.
As your child gets older, you can expand on the conversation. For preteens and teenagers, it’s important to talk about what firearms are, why they are locked away, and how they should be handled, with respect and care. This is also the time to discuss key safety rules, like always treating a gun as if it’s loaded, never pointing it at anything you’re not willing to destroy, and keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. These are principles we follow every day at Basalt Firearms, and they’re the foundation of responsible firearm handling.
If your child shows interest or maturity, it may be appropriate to involve them in hands-on training in a safe, controlled environment. Learning how firearms work under the guidance of a trained instructor can take away the mystery and build lasting respect. We offer youth-focused safety classes and family-friendly education here at Basalt Firearms, and we’re always available to answer questions from parents who want to make sure they’re teaching the right message at the right time.
Of course, conversations are just one piece of the puzzle, secure storage is another. Firearms should always be locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition. When children see these safe habits modeled consistently at home, it reinforces that firearms are not toys, and access is only permitted under direct adult supervision.
Most importantly, gun safety should be an ongoing conversation, not a one-time lecture. Make space for your kids to ask questions and be ready to revisit the topic as they grow. Their understanding will change over time, and keeping an open line of communication helps them take safety seriously while feeling comfortable coming to you with concerns.
At Basalt Firearms, we’re here to help you feel confident in every aspect of firearm ownership, including how to keep your family safe and informed. If you’re looking for resources, training, or guidance on talking to your children about guns, we’re here to support you. Visit us at www.basalt-firearms.com or stop by the shop – we’d be glad to help.