Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/149261
FIRE A R M S SA F E T Y was in a lock box or secured with a trigger lock. More recently, a tragedy in Texas occurred when a police officer's two children accessed his off-duty gun from his department-issued gun safe. The younger of the two children was accidently shot and killed; the safe was found to be easily opened just by shaking it. Think like a kid when it comes to securing your firearms at home. And again, keep in mind that the more mysterious firearms seem, the harder your kids (or any other kids in your home) are going to try and find it. Remove the mystery I just read on a child health website that "guns in the home should be kept hidden at all times from children. They should never know that a firearm is in your house." I find that statement not only ridiculous but downright danger- ous. The more mysterious you make guns, the more tempting they become to kids. You can teach your two-year-old not to stick his finger in an electric wall socket, so start teaching him about gun Circle 50 on Reader Service Card 46 Law Enforcement Technology August 2013 safety, too. Using age appropriate terms and details, explain to your kids how a firearm works, why you carry one, what they are used for, and how dangerous they can be. The more children know, Circle 51 on Reader Service Card www.officer.com