First, become a member of NRA if you’re not already. Order some Eddie Eagle materials and begin now to teach them what to do if they find a gun.
Stop!
Don’t Touch!
Leave the Area!
Tell and Adult!
Over 25 million kids have been through the course and many have reported finding guns and doing the right thing.
After that, begin to introduce your kids to guns by allowing them to look at them under your supervision.
Teach them the safety rules.
As they get just a little older 6 or so, take them BB gun shooting. Then introduce them to a .22.
Join a Cub Scout Pack. They teach at scout camps BB and archery, impressing safety every step of the way. Our council has a BB league that shoots for score with prizes and plenty of safe fun. We had one family who was anti-gun but still had their son do BB League cause they felt he needed to know safe operation of a gun. The lessons learned with BB guns translate directly into safe handling of any firearm.
Keep the guns unloaded and the ammo in a separate location, preferably accessible only to you.
I feel it’s better to gun proof your kids than to kid proof your guns.
Downside on this gun: you must engage the grip safety to rack the slide.
Other than that, it is a very good gun.
Thanks Cyclotic.
NRA was on my mind as well. Years ago when we bought a boat (pre-kids) the first thing the Mrs. and I did was join the local Power Squadron and take boating safety courses, learning basic boating skills, charting, navigation and safety.
Along the same lines, joining the NRA and taking shooting classes/spending time at a range seems to me the logical first step when purchasing a firearm.
Any tips on a good “starter” handgun/shotgun?