The prospect of handling powerful tools in the world is as clandestine as it is judicious. In an age of tools as abstract as social media and across to legacy assets steeped in diesel and grit, firearms retain a decisive seat in the pantheon of American interests. Sidled alongside the axiom about great power and great responsibility, assuredly, there is an enthusiast that understands how safety and amusement can complement one another.
Sponsored by the NSSF and Project ChildSafe
Becky Yackley takes us around the horn on firearms and some of their foundational basics. This revisit comes on the wintery heels of the big hunting seasons where the tried-and-true rules of firearms safety have been hashed and stressed. Becky discusses the importance of being candid about the presence of firearms in the house and promotes the positive and enjoyable role that they can play in children’s, and more broadly, a family’s life. From teaching rules to guided handling, manipulation and drillwork, the opportunities are as present as they can be dynamic.
At the epicenter of the article is the onus to have children raised to respect firearms. Their lifelong understanding ought to be that firearms can be a tool for tremendous good but can, in the same breath, be abused by the negligent and notorious. Parents curtail all manner of unsavory habits in their children and in particular, poor manners and conduct. Firearms can be a breeding ground for bad habits, but they can be a titanic asset in the hands of the disciplined and dignified from a young age. ~IBR
Captured here, Becky leans into the simplicity of knowing a firearm like any other tool:
Out of all the rules, one that stands out as a place more women can take an active role is: “Always check that a gun is unloaded.” Let’s face it. Guns are machines. They’re not terribly complicated. If you can use snapchat on your phone, you can figure out how to unload and take the safety off a gun … and so could your child.
So if you have firearms in your home or not, you children should be taught to respect them, and know the rules surrounding them. And you are the person to teach them. Just like you teach them about cars, fire, chemicals and any number of tools in our world that children need to learn about. And just like your child might come into contact with a TV show you don’t approve of, or a chance to ride their bike beyond where you’ve given them permission to, they could come in contact with firearms in a way you don’t approve of, and they need to be taught to respect guns before they’re in that situation. It’s why we rehearse with toddlers, “Look both ways before you cross the street.”
If this excerpt piqued your interest, view the original post here. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the NSSF’s important program, Project ChildSafe.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
