The Truth About Kids and Firearm Safety

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February 24, 2025

In this video

Why Kids Need Firearm Safety Training – A Critical Conversation

Every year, kids are injured or killed because they don’t know firearm safety. Learning the right steps now could save a life. The solution? Education, not avoidance. Kids and firearm safety should be normalize in our society.

In this episode of For the Love of Guns, I spoke with Derek LeBlanc, founder of the Kids Safe Foundation. We discussed the realities of kids and firearm safety. We also covered a tragic case with Mia Anstine. A child lost their life due to a lack of firearm awareness—an accident that could have been prevented with education.

⮺ Watch my interview with Mia Anstine for the full story:
🔗 trb.fyi/mia-anstine-outdoor-mentorship

Essential Kids and Firearm Safety Lessons

The Kids Safe Foundation stresses that teaching firearm safety early can prevent tragedies. By removing the novelty and curiosity surrounding guns, children are less likely to engage in unsafe behavior. (Source: Kids Safe Foundation)
🔹 The Foundation teaches children four essential steps if they encounter a firearm:

Stop!
Don’t Touch!
Run Away!
Tell a Grown-Up!
🔹 They also emphasize safe firearm handling rules:
Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
Be sure of your backstop and what is beyond it. (Source: Kids Safe Foundation)

🗣️ “Even if you don’t own firearms, your kids should still know how to be safe around them.” (00:03:09) – Derek LeBlanc

Whether a family owns a gun or not, children will encounter them at some point. The difference between safety and tragedy is education.

🔎 Answering the Questions Parents Need to Know

Should kids learn about gun safety even if there are no guns at home?

👉 Yes. Kids see guns in media, video games, and at friends’ houses. Without education, curiosity can lead to danger.

🗣️ “Guns are here, and they’re not going anywhere—so let’s talk about them in a way that actually keeps kids safe.” (00:04:59) – Derek LeBlanc

What’s the best way to introduce kids to firearms?

👉 Follow a tiered exposure approach:
1️⃣ BB guns or Nerf guns → Teach muzzle awareness & trigger discipline
2️⃣ .22 rifles or pistols → Supervised handling to reinforce safety rules
3️⃣ Higher calibers & range time → Building confidence under guidance

🗣️ “I started shooting when I was seven, started with air guns, then moved up to .22s.” (00:02:21) – Jason Schaller

How do I teach firearm safety without making my kids curious?

👉 Normalize firearms as tools, not forbidden objects.
👉 Make safety training routine, like teaching road safety or fire drills.
👉 Ensure kids understand the rules before allowing hands-on experience.

Why the Media Gets Kids and Firearm Safety Wrong

The media loves to push fear-based narratives, portraying gun owners as reckless. But responsible gun owners prioritize safety and education.

🗣️ “The media has done a really good job of trying to make this a taboo situation… We should be making gun safety mainstream.” (00:04:37) – Derek LeBlanc

🟠 The Truth:
🔹 Teaching gun safety does NOT make kids more likely to handle firearms unsafely.
🔹 Avoiding the conversation INCREASES the chance of accidents.
🔹 The Kids Safe Foundation reports that children trained in firearm safety are significantly less likely to engage in unsafe firearm handling. (Source: Kids Safe Foundation)

🎮 Airsoft as a Training Tool for Kids and Firearm Safety – The Right & Wrong Way to Use It

🔹 Can Airsoft teach gun safety? Yes, if used properly.
🔹 Can Airsoft be dangerous? Yes, if used irresponsibly.

Many competition shooters use Airsoft for training. However, some teens misuse it by removing the orange tip, making it look like a real firearm.

🗣️ “Some teens take the tip off… kids in Oregon have been shot by law enforcement because they can’t tell if it’s real.” (00:07:59) – Derek LeBlanc

Important Kids and Firearm Safety Tips for Airsoft:

👉 Keep the orange tip intact
👉 Treat it like a real firearm (muzzle discipline, trigger control)
👉 Use proper safety gear (eye protection, designated shooting areas)
👉 Supervise younger users to prevent bad habits

🛠️ Kids and Firearm Safety Checklist for Parents

✅ Educate your kids on what to do if they find a gun: STOP. DON’T TOUCH. LEAVE. TELL AN ADULT.
✅ Store firearms securely: Use a gun safe, trigger locks, and biometric safes.
✅ Separate ammunition from firearms when storing at home.
✅ Teach basic safety rules using Nerf, BB guns, or Airsoft before live-fire training.
✅ Lead by example: Always follow safety protocols around kids.

How You Can Support Kids Safe Foundation

The Kids Safe Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free and low-cost firearm safety education. Their biggest expenses? Ammunition, travel, and training materials.

💡 Want to help prevent accidents and save lives?
🔗 Donate here: kidssafefoundation.org

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🔥 Get 20% off at My Medic with code TRB20: trb.fyi/mm

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Credits and Disclaimers:

Original Content by The Rogue Banshee / My Rogue Solutions LLC.
Credit: Jason Schaller
Email: jschaller@trb.fyi

Content Use & Compliance

The videos, articles, and images shared by The Rogue Banshee feature gear, tools, and products for informational and entertainment purposes only. All activities follow local, state, and federal laws where they were conducted in. All activities are conducted safely under professional supervision in approved locations.

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Some links in my content are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, The Rogue Banshee earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and create content.

Firearm Safety Notice

I promote safe and responsible firearm ownership. All activities are conducted in a controlled, professional environment and adhere to YouTube’s policies and community guidelines.

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