| Millions of Americans own guns for hunting or self | | | | except the adults in the home. Never point a gun at |
| defense reasons. Many of them are outspoken | | | | anyone, even if the safety is on, and never touch |
| advocates of gun ownership, and appreciate the | | | | the trigger unless you are prepared to shoot the gun |
| feeling of safety their guns provide. While a gun gives | | | | at that moment. |
| a sense of safety, particularly in the event of a | | | | Every adult in the home should take lessons on gun |
| home invasion or street attack, gun ownership also | | | | ownership and use. The key to safety with guns is |
| poses many dangers in itself. | | | | knowing about your gun. Never purchase a firearm if |
| Studies have shown that a gun kept in the home is | | | | you cannot own it responsibly and use it effectively. |
| more likely to be used on a friend or on a member | | | | You should be aware of the way it shoots, including |
| of the family than on a dangerous criminal. Commonly | | | | what kickback feels like, as well as the safety |
| cited is the "shooting the milkman" scenario, in which | | | | features included on your gun model. |
| a gun owner inadvertently shoots a perceived threat | | | | In a self defense situation, never pull out your gun |
| that turns out to be a friend, family member, or | | | | unless you are prepared to shoot the attacker. If the |
| acquaintance. In these cases, a scared gun owner | | | | gun is unloaded or you don't know how to use it, |
| may shoot before properly identifying who is in the | | | | showing it to the the assailant will do you no good. |
| home. Unfortunately, this may mean the accidental | | | | Simply pulling out the weapon is likely to cause |
| injury or death of a loved one. | | | | escalation in violence, especially if your attacker is |
| The dangers of gun ownership are compounded | | | | armed. If you are waving around the gun in an |
| when there are children in the home. It can be | | | | attempt to scare off an intruder, he may simply try |
| surprising what kids can get into, even if their parents | | | | to grab the gun away from you. |
| think that the guns are secured. Children may not | | | | Although the second amendment of the United |
| understand the dangers of a gun, and can end up | | | | States Constitution gives citizens the right to keep |
| killing siblings or friends with what they perceive is a | | | | and bear arms, keeping a gun in your home can be |
| toy. | | | | dangerous. If you aren't prepared to deal with the |
| If you choose to keep a gun in the home, there are | | | | safety issue of owning a gun, or aren't sure you will |
| a number of safety provisions you must follow in | | | | be comfortable pointing a gun at an attacker, there |
| order to keep friends, family members, and yourself | | | | are other alternatives. Stun guns or TASER devices, |
| safe from any type of accident involving use of the | | | | for example, are non-lethal self defense devices that |
| firearm. These include storage of the guns in a | | | | pack a powerful punch but won't kill or injure innocent |
| secure location that cannot be accessed by anyone | | | | people. |