Biting the Bullet: Navigating Conversations on Safe Firearm Storage

In the North Country firearms are part of daily life for a lot of families, whether for hunting, protecting livestock, recreation, or good old-fashioned tradition. But here’s the thing: even though firearms are commonplace, safe storage isn’t something we should take for granted. And no—this isn’t about telling people if they should have firearms or how many they should own. Around here, we all know responsible ownership is the norm. What we’re talking about is simply making sure your firearms are stored in a way that keeps you, your family, and your neighbors safe, without getting in the way of your access when you need it.

Think of it like keeping your car keys out of a toddler’s reach or making sure the gate at the top of the stairs is closed before the after-bath zoomies set in. It’s not about restriction—it’s about good, practical sense.

Our expert this month is Shana Riel, Public Health Educator in the Health Planning and Promotion Division at the Clinton County Health Department. As team lead for the Locked & Unloaded gun violence and injury prevention program, her goal is simple. To eliminate unintended firearm injury and death in Clinton County.

Why is safe storage of firearms a public health issue and what is the safest way to store them?

Conversations around firearms can often feel like they are polarizing. Looking at safe storage from a public health lens shifts the conversation away from politics to safety and prevention. Firearms are the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1-24 in the United States – that’s fact. But too often these injuries and deaths could have been prevented if safe storage practices were in place.

The safest way to store firearms is – locked up, unloaded, with ammunition stored separately. That means: 

• Completely Unloaded: All ammunition—including any chambered rounds—must be fully removed from the firearm.
• Securely Locked: The firearm should be stored in a dedicated, secure location like a locked safe or lockbox. If that isn't an option, it should be fitted with a locking device, such as a cable lock.
• Separately Stored Ammunition: Ammunition needs to be locked in its own separate container, away from the firearm itself.

There is no one-size-fits all solution; secure storage will look different in each household. Remember, you want your firearms accessible to you, not to anyone else.

How can I talk to my children about firearms in our home and how to stay safe?

Just as we would stress the importance of wearing bike helmets or seat belts, and to look both ways before we cross the street, we should prioritize firearm safety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children as young as 3 are physically strong enough to pull the trigger on many handguns.  That’s why starting these conversations early is so important.

The message should be delivered in a calm, clear, age-appropriate way that is repeated over time. One conversation starter could be: “Firearms aren’t toys, and safety always comes first.” In my household, we talk about safety in comparison to our son’s Nerf gun, reiterating that unlike his toys, firearms can seriously hurt someone. We also use play time as an opportunity to stress behaviors such as not aiming the Nerf gun at people to instill safe practices early on.

As your children become teenagers you can talk in more detail about real-life risks, laws and why safe storage is important.

We don’t have firearms in our home, but our family members do. How do I talk to my kids about visiting their homes and talk to my family about safe ways to store their firearms?

Before they visit, tell your child if they see a firearm don’t touch it and to tell an adult immediately even if it looks like a toy. Make sure they know if they are ever at a friend’s or family member’s house and are uncomfortable, they can call you.

Because conversations around firearms can sometimes feel uncomfortable, keeping the tone respectful and focused entirely on safe storage rather than firearm ownership itself, helps ease the tension. If your family members aren’t aware of secure storage practices, share helpful resources and reinforce the "why" behind the message.

Children are naturally curious and can be impulsive. Implementing safe storage habits adds a layer of protection to keep them, and everyone else, safe. The goal is preventing a tragedy, rather than reacting after one happens.

What if my child is going to a new home for a play date? How can I broach the subject with other parents to help keep both our children safe?

Like discussions with family members, you keep the conversation about safety.

For example: “My child is so excited to visit. Before we arrive, I like to ask every new play date if there are any unlocked guns in the house I should be aware of?” or “Can you share how you store firearms in your home?”

Phrasing it like this, instead of “Do you own guns?”, keeps the focus on safe storage.

If there are firearms in your home, proactively sharing how you store them can help normalize the subject and may make it more comfortable for them to share their practices. If you are not comfortable with their answer, you can offer to host the playdate at your house instead or suggest a neutral location like a park.

What are the different kinds of locks and where can I go to get one if I need one?

The most common are cable locks and trigger locks. Both should be used along with a lockbox or gun safe if possible. No single lock fits every firearm, making it important to contact the manufacturer to find out the exact locking device recommended for your model.

If you need one, the Clinton County Health Department and several local partners distribute both types of locks to community members for free. For a list of these locations, click here.  

Top 3 things to remember.

1. Safety is the priority. We want to protect our children and community from preventable injuries.
2. It’s better to have an uncomfortable conversation than to regret not having one at all. Keeping conversations open, respectful, and focused on safety will help.
3. There are free firearm safety resources available throughout Clinton County.