My Christmas wish
Phil Taunton
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas is just around the corner.
If you are thinking about buying a youngster a firearm for Christmas, even a BB gun or an air rifle; please take a couple of things into consideration.
Are firearms safe in your home and can your child be trusted with such a responsibility? There are many positive things a child can learn from firearms safety education and especially the shooting sports. These include safe habits when handling a firearm and instilling a responsible attitude that can last a lifetime.
Proper handling of a firearm and learning to be a safe shooter teaches responsibility and respect. Self-discipline and control also must be mastered in order to hit the target. Learning to hold a firearm steady and to shoot a gun accurately teaches concentration and helps develop hand-eye coordination. Knowing the shooter alone is ultimately responsible for his or her performance teaches self-reliance and builds self-esteem.
Parents should realize a child’s age isn’t the most important factor when deciding whether there should be a firearm in the house or if the child should be allowed to be around firearms. Mindful, responsible parents know their child better than anyone else.
Can the child follow directions and handle responsibility? Is the youngster mature enough to make decisions that will ensure his or her own safety and the safety of others? And last but not least, do the parents themselves have the knowledge and experience to give proper instruction in the basics of firearm safety?
Supervision and instruction on basic firearm safety rules also should be a part of the child’s Christmas gift. Hands-on instruction and training, repeated over and over, along with a thorough understanding of the safety rules, will teach the child that nothing can be taken for granted concerning firearm safety. If a new gun is on your child’s Christmas list and you still are a little apprehensive about giving such a gift, you might want to have your child sign a Firearms Responsibility Contract.
In this written contract, the child promises to learn and obey all the rules of safe firearms handling.
Get a copy of the 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety, review them and discuss their meaning. Make it a point to attend a Hunter Safety Education class if you haven’t already done so, even if you don’t plan on becoming a hunter. The next class scheduled in Lyon County will be at Camp Alexander on March 15-16. A promise should be made by the child to never play with firearms, because they are not toys. This includes BB guns.
Where children are concerned, firearms should be used only with permission and under the strict supervision of a responsible adult. Treat every gun as if it were loaded and never aim it at something you do not intend to shoot. It should be clearly understood there will be an automatic forfeiture of shooting privileges for whatever length of time agreed upon, if the Firearms Responsibility Contract isn’t adhered to.
An Automobile Responsibility Contract might come into play in years to come when a decision is made to turn the young driver loose with the family vehicle for the first time. Knowing the youngster’s ability to follow directions, handle responsibility and be trusted will make this decision that much easier.
If you already own a gun, always remember to unload the firearm carefully and completely before taking it into the house. Never load a sporting firearm in the home. Always make sure firearms are securely stored in a location inaccessible to children.
You might even treat yourself to a new gun safe for Christmas!
Ammunition should be stored in a separate location, locked up and inaccessible. Place firearms in their proper storage location immediately after returning from a hunting trip or a day at the range. When you remove your gun from storage, always recheck it to confirm that it is still unloaded.
It is a gun owner’s responsibility to make sure firearms are not casually accessible to anyone — especially curious young people who might be looking for Christmas presents.
For more information on firearm safety education, programs and events, contact the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc., by phone at (203) 426-2359 or by e-mail at www.nssf.org, or call Eddie Eagle at (800) 231-0752 for the latest program information.
You might also give the Lyon County 4-H Extension Office a call at 341-3220 and ask about its shooting sports program.
Beau Arndt
Beau and his brother Seth were certified Kansas Safe Hunters in March of 2002. As one of their instructors, I asked them to become ambassadors to the sport of hunting: Be ethical, responsible, safe and respectful. Be a mentor and get others involved in this time-honored tradition.
During this past week, testimonials by Beau’s family and friends have shown Beau did just that. In the eyes of the law, this incident, even though criminal, will be considered a hunting accident.
I can only imagine the pain Beau’s parents must feel and hope they find comfort in knowing his death won’t be in vain. News of this tragedy has spread throughout our society of hunters and conservation-minded people. Safety concerns will be voiced and, in Beau’s case, the guilty prosecuted.
I, for one, promise to stay this course and tip my hat to the waterfowl Beau so dearly loved as they disappear into the sunset.