Koon's Watch

Being a parent or grandparent means we must sometimes have tough conversations with young people in our lives.

One of those important conversations is what they should do if they come in contact with a gun.

For younger children, that could mean coming across an unsecured gun as they play or explore around the house. For teenagers, it could mean a friend flashing a gun around in a social setting.

Telling all the younger members of your family what they should do when a gun is in their midst could save lives.

If you see a gun:

1. Stop.

2. Don’t touch.

3. Get away.

4. Tell an adult.

Here are some tips about

what to do in specific circumstances:

• Walk away, and tell a parent if your friend shows you his parent’s gun.

• Tell an adult immediately if you | see a gun in someone’s backpack at school.

• Tell a trusted adult if you hear a girl or boy say that she or he is going to bring a gun to school.

When you follow these steps, you’re protecting yourself and helping to keep other people safe. Follow these same steps if you find a gun in a park or somewhere unattended.

If you’re not sure why a gun is dangerous, talk to a parent about it.