Michigan Gun Owners – What We Do
By Mike “ Tallbear” Thiede
Michigan –-(AmmoLand.com)-Michigan Gun Owners was established in 2002 with the mission to educate the public and encourage grass roots activism on a state-wide level through various outreach programs and a popular community forum on the internet. Michigan Gun Owners has become Michigan’s fastest growing, grass roots gun rights advocacy organization.
Owning a gun is a serious responsibility. Using guns safely and keeping them out of the hands of individuals who should not have access to them are the two main priorities of Michigan Gun Owner. If you handle guns safely and responsibly and then project that onto the people around you, they will do the same. Make sure that if you let someone handle or use your guns, they use them in a safe and responsible manner. If that is in doubt, then you should not let that person use or handle your guns.
Get Trained!
If you are going to own a gun, for whatever reason, you should take a class from a certified instructor on how to safely operate and shoot the gun. There are a lot of schools and independent instructors out there who can train you; and in most cases for not a lot of money. Getting professionally trained is worth it.
Children and what to teach them about Guns
Every parent, whether you have guns in your home or not, will have a different opinion on when they feel is the best time to teach their children about guns and how much to teach them. Below is some advice that we hope will help everyone on this issue.
Young Children
Young Children are curious and will certainly pick up a gun as if it was a toy because they don’t know any better. They should to be taught what guns look like, that they are dangerous, and that they should not be touched. If they find one, they should be taught to not touch it and to come and tell you immediately. They should be taught the difference between toy guns and real guns and the differences between movies and TV as compared to real life.
Adolescents
When children get older and are able to play independently outside of your watchful eye, they should be taught not to be around or accept a gun from anyone without your consent. If one is offered or shown to them they should come home immediately and tell you or tell the closest adult or Policeman. Only if you hand them a gun or with your approval should they touch one.
How to use a gun
At what age should you teach your children how to use a gun? That is a question only you as their parent can answer. You might start by remembering what age you learned to shoot; but the best advice we can give you is to ask yourself these questions. Do they understand what a gun is and what is it used for? Do they understand the difference between a real gun and a toy gun? Can they hold the gun up and shoot it safely? Do they understand the safety rules? If you can answer yes to these questions they are probably ready. Keep in mind that children learn from watching their parents. So if you handle guns safely and take it seriously, they will too.
About:
Michigan Gun Owners is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization committed to educating the public and engaging in grass roots activism. Visit MiGunOwners.org