Before going any further, let’s clear something up.  Gun safety is something different than the heated argument over gun control - though even many adults get them confused.  The gun control debate concerns the issue of who should be allowed to buy guns, what kinds of guns should be available, and what should be the process for buying a gun.  GUN SAFETY is something not too many people argue about- how to stay safe and aware around guns. 

For most young people, there is no one teaching them gun safety.  Schools don’t regularly teach it and unless your parents own a gun (and even then it’s not certain) they may not think of discussing it either.  But it IS important, whether you have a gun or not.

Gun safety is not just about how to handle and clean a gun safely- far from it!  Gun safety is also about what to do if you find a gun, what to do if someone you know is hiding a gun, and what to do to keep others (especially those younger than you) safe from guns.

If you have not been trained in handling guns the most important gun safety rule is simple.  If you see a gun - DON’T touch it, go find an ADULT. You may feel old enough to handle the situation, but resist the temptation. Many adults don’t even know enough about guns to handle them properly - but they will know who to call and how to keep everyone in the area safe.

The second rule for keeping safe is similar.  If you ever hear about someone who has a gun (and isn’t supposed to) or you hear someone threatening someone else with gun violence, it’s your responsibility to let an adult or authority figure know. It may turn out to be a misunderstanding, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be a role model to friends who think it’s cool to play with guns.