Michelle, mother of two boys. You are the best defender of your children, both by what you do and what you teach. There are two ways to protect your children from life's dangers. In some cases and at some ages, the right approach is to shield them from exposure. In other cases, the better approach is to teach them how to handle that potential danger.
Children are naturally curious about all adult things.
They will reach for a gun the first time they see one within reach. Once they are taught about firearms, the curiosity is satisfied and they are willing to abide by a rule not to touch a gun without a parent present. Sharon, one of the members of my shooting club, has received lots of criticism from her neighbors because she taught daughter Sue and son Steve how to use guns. The result is that in her yard, basic firearms safety is applied even to toy guns. Her children have taught their friends and enforce the primary rule that guns are never pointed at another person, even in play.