Why it's important to remember the 4 rules...

[effengee]

http://www.wptz.com/news/25954386/detail.html

This happened about 20 miles from where I live.
Obviously this kid was never taught the four golden rules:

1. A firearm is ALWAYS loaded and should be treated that way.
2. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
3. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.
4. Know your target and everything around it.

I would venture to add:

5. Never point any type of gun at someone unless you intend to hurt them.

My kids know the difference between the airsoft replicas, the .177 BB guns, and the real firearms in our arsenal, but only because I have preached the firearms safety sermon to them since they were babies.

I personally feel that educating children about firearms is the best way to keep them safe. Let them see what the destructive force is all about so that they KNOW what will happen when you pull the trigger.

 

[Gouranga]

I would add to that if you keep real firearms AND pellet guns/Airsoft, etc do NOT store them near each other. I have both in my home. I have a CO2 pellet gun that looks a lot like a real 1911 and a pump action pellet gun that looks very much like a real 22lr rifle and has a similar weight and feel.

The lethal firearms are in a safe the pellet guns are stored in a completely different area. I do not want there ever to be a chance someone grabs the wrong one.

 

[Justin]

Yes.

Following the four rules at all times is an absolute imperative.

That said, do we really need to trot out every single news story involving a tragedy?