Overview

If you keep a gun in your home, it's important to do so safely. Storing and handling guns safely can help protect you and those around you. This is especially important anytime children or teens are in your home.

Having a gun in your home increases the risk of accidents. This risk is greater if you or anyone in your home has stress, conflict in the home, or thoughts about hurting themselves or others.

How can you prevent gun violence and accidents?

Here are some things you can do to be safe with guns.

• Take a class to learn how to handle guns safely.
• Store guns safely.
  • Keep them unloaded.
  • Store and lock them in a secure place. This may be with a lock box, a cable lock, or a gun safe. If you keep them in a gun safe, limit the number of people who can open it. If the guns are under lock and key, keep the key hidden.
  • Keep the safety device on.
  • Keep guns separate from the ammunition. It should also be locked up.
• Be aware of your own mental health and that of others in your home.

  Do not keep guns in your home if you or anyone else in your home is depressed, stressed, or angry or feels like they want to hurt themselves or others. Ask a friend or family member to take the guns out of your home and keep them away from you until you and the other people in the home feel better.

• Keep guns away from children and teens.