Talk to your children about guns.

It is essential that you speak with your children about guns, regardless of where you live, the schools your children attend, or who their friends are. Gun violence affects nearly every community in the United States. As a parent or caretaker, you alone are responsible for ensuring the safety of your children and the children in your care.

Kids see the power that comes from shooting guns in movies, on television and in video games. What these programs do not show are the real consequences of using a gun — the injuries, the deaths, and the pain of losing a loved one. Explain to your children the difference between guns in the media and the ways guns affect people in real life.

Talking about guns is not just a one-time conversation. As children mature, their opinions about guns may change — be sure to talk with them regularly about the dangers of guns. Discussing stories in the news in which children or young people have been affected by gun violence is one way to bring up the subject, and be honest with your children, regardless of their age. It is up to you to know what is age appropriate for your child but you can always start with asking them questions.

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Questions you may want to explore with your children:

• Do they know or have they heard about anyone who has been shot?
• Do they know about kids at school having guns or being involved in violent activities?
• What do they think about guns? Have they ever seen a real gun?

What you might say to your child if he/she sees a gun at a friend’s house:

• Get away from the gun — do not touch it
• Tell an adult
• Call your parent and/or go home

What you might say to your child if he/she is in a house and hears gunshots:

• Duck and find cover
• Stay away from the windows
• Wait until help comes, If help does not arrive, call 911

Listen to your children—be patient!

It is often difficult to talk with youth about any subject, especially one as sensitive as gun violence. Here are some tips:

• If you are uncomfortable, resist the urge to do all the talking.
• Let them know that you are always there to listen, and that they will not get into trouble if they come to you with questions or problems.
• Keep track of what interests them on television, in movies, in video games and on the internet. If it concerns you, bring it up with them.
• Talk with them about the value of human life. Explain how you would feel if anything happened to them.