New Guns: What to Do When You Take Them Home

Everyone takes several factors into consideration when purchasing a firearm. What am I planning on using it for—personal protection, hunting or target shooting? Of those firearms that fit my uses, how do I narrow the field and make a choice? Does the gun I like fit me physically? Are the features and cosmetics enough for me?

One question that should be at the top of everyone’s list is where and how will I store my gun once I get it home. Complete safety of self, children and others is what we all strive for when it comes to owning and handling firearms.

If you aren’t sure of the answer to that important safe-storage question, let me introduce you to NSSF’s Project ChildSafe program and its new campaign: “Own It? Respect It and Secure It.” These national efforts remind and educate gun owners on how to properly store their firearms to keep them out of the hands of children and other unauthorized persons. Thanks to Project ChildSafe and other safety initiatives, fatal firearms accidents in the U.S. have declined to historic low levels and now account for less than one percent of all fatal accidents, according to the NSSF 2013 Intelligence Report on Firearms-Related Injury Statistics.

Whether you’re a new or experienced firearm owner, we ask that you to do your part to help continue this positive trend. Visit our Project Childsafe and Own it? Respect it. Secure it. webpages and review the Safe Storage Options for Your Lifestyle infographic, take the gun safety Mythbusters Quiz and download the Child Safety Pledge. We also have a wonderful video that shows a variety of ways to store your firearm. Please, remember to store your firearms responsibly.

(Own It? Respect It. Secure It.)

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