Recheck Firearm Storage When Children Start Exploring

A child who can climb, open a drawer or follow an adult from room to room changes what counts as out of reach. Take that milestone as a reminder to check the household’s firearm storage. Make the check with the adults who actually use the storage so everyone knows what the routine requires.

Verify that every firearm is accounted for

Review which adults have responsibility for locked storage. Project ChildSafe’s home guidance calls for storing firearms unloaded in a locked place inaccessible to children and keeping ammunition locked separately. The lock must be engaged during the periods when adults are distracted, such as when guests arrive or someone sets down a bag after coming home.

A drawer, high shelf or piece of furniture without a lock can become accessible as children grow. Include storage used by visiting adults in your plan. Ask guests in advance to make secure arrangements before they arrive.

Check who can get to keys and combinations

Consider who can reach spare keys, who knows the code and whether it is written somewhere a child can find. The ATF owner safety guide recommends keeping keys and combinations out of children’s reach and separate from those for ammunition storage. If a child may have learned a combination, have the responsible adult update it. Keep the replacement information private.

Put the check on an existing household routine

Review storage after a move, an extended visit or a change in who lives in the home. Pair a regular check with a household task you already remember, such as testing smoke alarms. Set a second reminder if a lock or battery needs maintenance under its manufacturer’s instructions. What matters is that everyone responsible for storage can explain who controls access and how the household keeps children away.