'Operation Safe Summer:' Special classes teach families gun safety

EVERETT -- Millions of Americans own firearms and have them in their homes -- that means it’s critical kids know about gun safety. In our last ‘Operation Safe Summer’ of the year, we go inside a classroom where both parents and kids are being taught an important life or death lesson. “People ask us all the time at what age is knowing gun safety appropriate? The earlier the better,” says Stephanie Kerns, owner of West Coast Armory North in Everett. Kerns teaches kids safety classes at a shooting range and says the sooner you talk to your kids, the better. “They already know about guns, let’s find out what they know. Ask them some questions and then find out if they have questions.”

Part of her kids' class has videos showing various scenarios and one where a child brings a gun to school. The kids are asked what would they do in that situation? Young Katlin is quick to respond, “I would tell them to put it away and go tell the teacher." Kerns explains, “We start with younger kids as stop, don’t touch, leave the area, tell an adult.” Four basic rules that Ginger Hallberg, who enrolled her kids in this class, wants them to know, “Because they need to understand the safeties of guns within the house and outside of the house because they will run into them especially because they are military kids.” Felicia Sinclair brought her younger siblings to the class and explains, “They live in an area where most of their friends and their parents are going to have guns in their house and I have guns at my house and I work in the industry, so I thought it was important to at least know what it’s about.” For younger children there are songs, coloring books and even cartoons that help parents talk to their kids about gun safety, but nothing takes the place of an actual conversation between parents and child. “What I suggest is have the discussion and make a rule that they have agreed upon that if there is no adult around that they will not touch a handgun,” Kern says. Experts add that taking the mystery out of guns before kids are confronted with it by themselves will go a long way in helping your kids stay safe this summer and beyond. West Coast Armory North is having free gun safety seminars on Saturday, October 10th for the whole family. They`re also giving away free gun locks. CLICK HERE for more information.