The time may come when you or your family members want to learn to handle and shoot a gun safely. In the case of a child, his or her attitude, learning ability, and physical and emotional maturity are some of the factors to be weighed before allowing formal instruction to begin.

When a parent decides a young person is ready, many training opportunities are available. Providing instruction in the safe handling, use, and storage of firearms is one of NRA's most important functions. NRA Basic Firearm Training courses, taught by 36,000 NRA Certified Instructors, are offered in every state. A program called "FIRST" STEPS (Firearm Instruction, Responsibility and Safety Training) provides a three-hour orientation to your specific firearm. For more information about taking any of these courses, please call our automated voice menu system at (703) 267-1430.

Gun Owners' Responsibilities:

Most states impose some form of legal duty on adults to take reasonable steps to deny access by children to dangerous substances or instruments. It is the individual gun owner's responsibility to understand and follow all laws regarding gun purchase, ownership, storage, transport, etc. Contact your state police and/or local police for information regarding such laws.

If you own a gun and do not know how to operate it, do not experiment with it. Point it in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger, and store it securely. Seek competent assistance and instruction at once. An untrained adult can be as dangerous as a curious child.

Store guns so that they are inaccessible to children and other unauthorized users. Gun shops sell a wide variety of safes, cases, and other security devices. While specific security measures may vary, a parent must, in every case, assess the exposure of the firearm and absolutely assure that it is inaccessible to a child.

For more information on firearm safety and youths,

call (703) 267-1560

or write:

NRA Community Service Programs Division
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030

This brochure is not intended as a complete course in gun safety and is not a substitute for formal, qualified instruction in the handling, use, or storage of firearms. The guidelines herein should be considered options to minimize the chance of an accident occurring in the home.