a guard dog, and motion-detecting outdoor lighting. All of these measures are far better for your personal safety than having a firearm in your home.
If you choose to own a firearm—whether for personal safety or a sport such as hunting—you can lessen the chances of injury or death by taking certain precautions. Store the gun unloaded, trigger-locked, and in a locked gun case, then place it in a locked cabinet or drawer. Lock up your ammunition in a separate
box and keep it in a different location. Check your gun and ammunition periodically to make sure they remain securely stored. Make the key available only to other trusted adults.
Learn how to use your weapon properly, and have every adult in your family take a training course in firearms safety from a certified instructor. Teach your children never to touch a gun, and tell them what to do if they find a gun anywhere: don’t touch it, and tell a trusted adult right away. Also tell your children that if they are visitors in someone’s home and are not sure if a gun is real or a toy, they should treat it as a real gun. Responsible gun ownership can reduce the risks inherent in having a firearm in the home and make your home a safer place to live.
