Share how you secure your guns
4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns.
Source: National Firearm Survey, 2021
Every parent can agree they want to protect their kids from gun violence. If you have guns in your home, you can put other parents' minds at ease by letting them know how you secure your guns.
When to start the conversation
If you plan to have your child's friends spend time in your home, talk with their parents beforehand to ease any safety concerns. For example, you might tell them how closely you'll monitor the kids' activities since this may vary depending on their age. As part of this conversation, be upfront about the fact that you have guns in the house and how they are stored. Talking about secure gun storage is a great way to share important safety information and helps to normalize these conversations.
Share how you secure your guns
Letting other parents know that you're a gun owner may raise questions for parents who want to ensure their child will be safe in your home. Whether or not the parent owns a gun themselves, they may want to know how you store your guns and if the children will have access to the guns.
Start by sharing how you approach gun safety in your home. Depending on your current setup, you might say something like:
Talking about secure gun storage can save lives—and it may encourage other parents to have these conversations.
“We keep our guns locked and store them separately from ammunition—which is also stored securely."
“I have a biometric gun safe, so I can access it quickly if I need it, but the safe won't open for anyone else."
"I think of myself as a responsible gun owner, so our guns are always locked."
80% of Americans in households with gun owners agree that practicing secure gun storage would reduce gun violence.
Source: Ad Council Research Institute Gun Violence Survey, 2024
Find common ground
Some parents will feel more comfortable talking about guns than others. Remember that we all share a common goal: keeping kids safe. Secure gun storage is part of that.
If the conversation starts to feel emotional or uncomfortable, stay calm. Find something you can both agree on.
Focusing on what you have in common will help you both feel more at ease so you can really listen to and understand each other.
"It's upsetting that gun injuries are the leading cause of death for kids and teens. We have to do everything we can to keep our kids safe."
“I'm glad we're talking about this because avoiding the topic doesn't help anyone."
"As a gun owner, I have a responsibility to store my guns securely—and this is even more important with kids around. It’s why I store my guns locked and separately from ammunition."
After the chat
- If the other parent asks questions you aren’t sure how to answer, let them know you will try to find answers and get back to them. Check our resources page to learn more.
- Some parents may not feel comfortable with their child spending time in a home where guns are present, even if the guns are locked and secured. In this case, you can suggest getting together in a public space, such as a park or library, instead.
Tips for having productive conversations
- Remember that everyone’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences matter. No matter how someone feels about gun ownership, trust that they are trying to make the best choices for their child.
- Ask open-ended questions and listen to the other parent’s answer without interrupting. “Why do you feel that way?”
- Respect other parents’ boundaries. If someone wants to end the conversation, let them, but keep the lines of communication open. “If you want to talk more about this, I’ll be here.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to be connected with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.