It’s unknown if demonstrating responsible handling actually keeps kids safe.
When I was growing up in the 80s and 90s my Grandfather who served in WW2 kept guns in several closets and under two beds at least, and I also knew where the ammo was located. I knew to never mess with them but times sure have changed.
Nowadays I lock mine up responsibly and never loaded. I’ve not started giving my kids lessons though, since they’re not even 10 yet. We’ve talked about safety though. I think that education is super important.
I’ve thought about one of those hidey wall shelves but am a bit scared to have anything quick access that they could stumble upon.
That’s for the best to educate them. It’s totally possible one of their friends has unsecured firearms in their house. Better to know it’s something serious and to leave them alone.
This is a really important point, thank you for raising it!
Lockpickinglawyer on YouTube destroys every gun safe on the market
The lesson he’s trying to teach, is that there is no ‘right’ lock, only ‘better’ locks. Layer your security and have an honest assessment of threats and replaceability. Locks really only:
- Keep opportunist thieves honest
- Raise the skill threshold needed to bypass, and
- Take longer to bypass, risking detection for the attacker
#1 Can be achieved by the most bottom tier vendor-garbage stacked zinc/brass body lock #2 & 3 Is where most lock ratings come from, but nothing is perfect.
This monstrosity is what the military uses on secure ammo dumps, vehicle storage, etc and that thing still gets other dudes with guns protecting it. If the Army left it completely unguarded, things like thermite, oxy-acetylene, or grinding would not have any trouble getting past.
Inversely, your mid-to-good bicycle cable lock outside the corner store only really works because of the risk of exposure as people leave and enter the store. Bolt cutters might be a two-minute job all said and done, but there’s significant risk of discovery mid attempt.
How many children are watching Lockpickinglawyer AND have lockpicking tools AND have a steady enough hand to crack the locks that Lockpickinglawyer does? Going to guess that is near zero. The dude has also easily picked every common door lock but I’m willing to bet you still lock your doors.
Many of the pistol lock boxes can be opened with trash like a soda can
And many front doors can be opened with trash like a paper clip and screw driver. How many kids do you see going around and lockpicking their neighbors?
Thankfully my kids aren’t a/the Lockpicking Lawyer!
Some dude is on YouTube, better not take any safety measures.
Seriously. You can open most front door locks with a paper clip and a screw driver. I’m going to guess people like this still have a lock on their door.
Cue the gun nuts claiming “not at my house” and pretending it’s not a real problem
Link to source study:
Parental Engagement With Children Around Firearms and Unsecure Storage
Title really needs to include that all participants own firearms. Makes a pretty big difference.
Isn’t that implied? You can’t keep unlocked and loaded guns in your house if you don’t own guns.
Just… why?
Most likely they have been sold the fantasy that someone could break in and kill you at any time so if you do not have a gun at the ready, you will be a statistic.
True… It’s very passive. No one ever pressed me to think this way but I just did… And still sorta do. Maybe movies? And I was susceptible to applying that concept to myself? I dunno.
Not the onion
