KENNEWICK, Wash.-- According to federal statistic, there are guns in roughly half of all Washington households.
If you don't own one, it's still likely your child could encounter one. So it's important for kids to know exactly what to do if they find one.
Kids under the age of 18 aren't legally allowed to possess a firearm but there are some exceptions and that's when it's the parents responsibility to step in.
Kids can use a gun on their parent's property with permission . They can also use a gun in their home if they fear for their life and are protecting themselves.
There is no specific age limit when on their parent's property, but Kennewick Police Officer Craig Hanson said that just like you wouldn't give a kid keys to a car without training or knowing the laws, you shouldn't give a child a gun without showing them how to use one and talking about the consequences.
"I'd encourage parents to make sure that if they do have firearms in the house, they teach their kids not to touch them and to be able to say, there's a gun here and to tell an adult rather than play with it. And sometimes removing the curiosity helps there too, but that's an individual decision," Officer Hanson said.
Officer Hanson said that if you own a gun and keep it in your home, you should demonstrate to your child how it works. He suggests in a safe area, shooting a water bottle or pumpkin or any other object that displays the impact of a bullet.
People on our Facebook page shared that they have taught their kids at all different ages about gun safety. Some said their children learned about guns at age 3, others say by the age of eight their child had shot a gun.
Firearm stores and the Department of Fish and Wildlife offer information about teaching your child about gun safety.
