Your Child Will Find Your Gun Before Your Burglar Does

Most gun-owning parents have thought about where to put the firearm. Fewer have thought about how well a child can read their routine. Kids watch where you put things. They climb, they look under beds, and they open nightstands when nobody is around. A hiding place that works against a guest often doesn't work against a curious child who lives there.

Here are the assumptions we hear in class, and why they don't hold up:

• "It's on the top shelf of my closet." A child who can find a step stool can reach a top shelf.

• "My kids know better than to touch my things." Knowing the rule and following it when no adult is in the room are different things, especially for young children.

• "I told them guns aren't toys." One conversation, however serious, is not a safety system.

Hiding is not storing. A firearm that is locked is secure whether or not anyone knows where it is. A firearm that is only out of sight is secure only until someone looks.

What Florida law says

Florida Statutes section 790.174 requires you to secure a loaded firearm, in a locked box or container, in a location a reasonable person would believe is secure, or with a trigger lock, if you know or should know that a minor under 16 is likely to gain access to it. You don't have to lock it if you're carrying it or have it close enough to use as quickly as if you carried it. Full details are in our storage guide.

The law sets a minimum. A good setup also covers teenagers and visitors.

Hardware and conversation both matter

1. Secure it. A quick-access lockbox, a biometric or keypad safe, or a trigger lock can keep a firearm from unauthorized hands while still letting you reach it quickly. Keep ammunition separate, and keep keys and codes out of children's reach.

2. Talk about it, early and often. Telling a child "don't touch" and leaving it there often leaves them curious. Answer their questions honestly and calmly, and tell them the same rule every time. Many parents find that children who feel they can ask are less likely to go looking on their own, though no conversation replaces locked storage.

3. Teach one simple rule. If your child sees a firearm: Stop. Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult. Practice it the way you practice a fire drill.

4. Think beyond your front door. Your child will visit friends, relatives, and playdates. Ask other parents whether firearms are in the home and how they're stored. It's an ordinary question, and it's easier to ask than to regret. You can't control every house, but you can make sure your child knows what to do.

Learning from an instructor

Law enforcement and military families live with this balance every day: a firearm that's ready when it's needed and out of reach when it isn't. At Top Shot Miami we've taught law enforcement and military families, and we use the same safe-handling principles with every family we train.

Some parents choose supervised instruction with a certified instructor so their children hear the rules from a professional. In Florida, a child under 16 may shoot only under adult supervision and, for recreational shooting, with parental consent (Florida Statutes 790.22). If you're considering it, ask us how we run it.

Take the next step

Review your storage this week using our storage guide. If you'd like help setting up your home or teaching your kids what to do, text (305) 791-4249 or email info@topshotmiami.com.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change. Consult a Florida attorney about your situation. Last reviewed October 3, 2026.

Sources: Florida Statutes 790.174 and 790.22 (flsenate.gov).

More free guides: Free Firearms Resources From Miami Instructors