Gun Safety

From my research, I have discovered that there are many programs, websites, brochures and classes available regarding gun safety. I learned of various organizations such as the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) and the NRA (National Rifle Association) that make it their priority to get the word out about the importance of gun safety. This safety information is not only for the person using the gun, but is also for the people surrounding the person using the gun. According to my research from a previous course in which I wrote on gun safety, I learned that gun purchases are on the rise, therefore causing a higher risk of injury from lack of gun safety knowledge.

Discovering resources that are current and reliable can shape learning about gun safety into an educational experience. When relying on various sources for information, confirm that they include recent updates available including any new laws that were implemented. For example: North Dakota recently made changes to their concealed carry permits requiring physical shooting tests, causing it to become almost impossible for some elderly persons to obtain a license (“Institute for Legislative,” 2009). When reviewing outdated requirements you may fall into this category.

I believe one of the main problems in people acquiring more knowledge about gun safety is that they either 1) feel like they already know enough, 2) feel like it is not important or 3) are not aware of the available material and courses.

Working Thesis Statement
Accepting the knowledge that guns are dangerous and making sure you take a safety course will make you a safer gun owner.

Some gun enthusiasts believe that taking a safety course is unnecessary. People think they already have enough knowledge and think that learning about gun safety is not important. Inevitably, when people believe they know all there is to know, someone gets hurt. Gun safety is important and so is choosing reliable resources. The number of people purchasing firearms is on the rise, therefore making knowledge about gun safety more important than ever. Information produced by a manufacturing company of guns and/or ammunition should be more accurate than searching for random resources with unfamiliar authors.

The National Rifle Association has a program called “Eddie Eagle” that was intended to assist parents in developing the gun safety skills of their children. This program is designed for parents to show their children how to properly handle guns if found and no adult is present. “According to federal statistics, there are guns in approximately half of all U.S. households” (“Information for Parents,” 2009). Knowing this statistic makes the need to teach children about gun safety even more urgent. The NRA website offers lots of information that teaches gun enthusiasts about guns, shooting, ammunition and more. Having your child see that others are taking a safety course and also hold the same respect for guns as their parents will help to reinforce what the parents are trying to teach their children. Gun safety is not only for adults, but for any and everyone who may use or be around someone using a gun.

References

National Rifle Association. (2009). Eddie eagle information for parents. Retrieved April 25, 2011, from http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/infoparents.asp

National Shooting Sports Foundation. (2009). Safety and education. Retrieved April 25, 2011, from www.nssf.org/safety