More than half of firearm-owning parents of children ages 1 to 5 reported keeping at least one gun unlocked, loaded, or both, according to University of Michigan research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, which runs October 2 to 6. Most of these parents said they owned guns mainly for protection.
That combination points to a common dilemma. Parents want a firearm they can reach quickly in an emergency, but a young child can reach an unsecured gun just as quickly. Safety guidance shows the two goals do not have to compete, because quick-access storage can keep a gun locked while still letting its owner open it fast.
