Maintaining a focus specifically on the risks of handgun ownership can help keep the message clear and reduce controversy. Remember, too, that you haven't failed if a patient doesn't take your advice. Providing safety information to gun owners is just as important as urging them to remove guns from the house. Advocate Proper Gun Storage and Safety People who choose to keep a gun in the house should be counseled on safe storage and handling. Ideally, guns should be kept unloaded and locked in a place where only responsible adults have access to them.
Many experts recommend lockable gun boxes.
Trigger locks can also be used to secure a gun. A good source for more detailed information is the AMA's Physician Firearm Safety Guide. As every clinician knows, preventive health advice of any kind isn't as easy to administer as an antibiotic or a vaccine. Follow-up is essential to underscore your commitment and to help patients overcome obstacles. The same goes for gun safety, experts say.