Firearm safety & training
A Full House Means Lock It Up
Holiday visitors — especially children — change the safety picture at home. A simple plan for secure storage during the season.
2A Digital · December 2025 issue ·
Children are curious, visitors may not know your house rules, and routines get disrupted during the holidays. That makes the season a good time to review how every firearm in your home is stored.
The safest approach is to keep firearms unloaded and locked in a gun safe, lock box or with a cable or trigger lock when they are not under your direct control. Store ammunition separately and securely. Keys and combinations should be out of reach and out of sight.
Talk with relatives who are visiting with firearms of their own. Agree ahead of time on where those will be secured. If you are the guest, ask your host the same question about their home before bringing children.
Teach children a simple rule: if they see a gun, don't touch it, leave the area and tell an adult right away. Repeat it often and make sure every child in the house has heard it.
Some states have specific safe-storage or child-access laws. Check your state's requirements and remember that secure storage also helps prevent theft — which matters when the house is busy and doors are opening all day.
If you see a gun: don't touch it, leave the area, and tell an adult right away.
Educational content only — not legal advice. Laws on firearms, carry, transport and self-defense vary by state and change; confirm current rules with a licensed attorney or official state resources. Always follow the universal firearm safety rules and train with a qualified instructor.