Hey fellas:

I'm sure at least some of you have guns at home either for work duties or for your own personal protection/hunting. If so, here's an article and associated video regarding the ineffectiveness of gun safes against kids that will surely freak you out:

www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/201...by-a-three-year-old/

So my question is....what practices do YOU follow at home to keep guns safe from kids? What type of safe? Keep ammo separate from gun? Hide in closet? Underwear drawer? Do you train your kids about the gun or keep it's existence in your house a secret?

You are right on with this one, as usual. Parents can get hysterical about chemicals in the lunch boxes, organic milk and Sugar Cereal, the real dangers to kids are cars, pools and guns. Simple as that.

I don't have guns in the house, but grew up around them. I know that for us, in addition to essential passive measures (gun safes, trigger locks), active gun safety is key. I have taken all my kids out to shoot, even though we have none of our own!

The key is that kids need to know how to be safe around the UNSECURED GUN at the other kid's house as well.

Don't just secure the guns, teach safety, too.

Thanks Clay.

That's very interesting that you decided to take the kids out shooting even though you don't have guns in your own house.

I clearly remember as a kid going across the street to my friends house and looking at his Dad's gun in the top drawer. Like you, my parents did not have guns in the house, but that was obviously not enough to keep me completely protected from them!

Now that I think about it...I had run-ins with all three as a kid! Cars, Pools and Guns! I remember all three incidents very clearly!

Nice use of capitalization re. "Sugar Cereal"

Parents can get hysterical about chemicals in the lunch boxes, organic milk and Sugar Cereal, the real dangers to kids are cars, pools and guns. Simple as that. Are you ever right about that. We are in the process of working out "don't run into the street" with our 21 month old. You just can't take your eye off a toddler.

I'd add other people's dogs to the list, too.

I love this topic. I am a former US Army soldier and my training w weapons is extensive. I have guns in the house and all are semi automatics and loaded, but NOT charged. My kids lack the strength to charge the weapon, for now. They are put away, except for my .45, it is on the night stand, but cannot be fired until charged. Two years ago, I began to train my son on weapon safety, the 5 y/o is taught to never touch a gun. Also, toy guns are not allowed in the house and my son is not allowed to have a toy gun, I feel this breeds a "false sense of securtiy" of sorts. This will just train the kid to think all guns are toys and my lead to an accident.

Texan here. There are guns in the house...along with liquor, bleach and sharp and heavy objects.

Gun safety 101: Keep out of reach of children.

Gun Safety 201: If they can reach, teach.