As Door County families gather for the holidays, and hunters continue moving in and out of the woods, Oscar Castillo, Manager and instructor at Virlee Gun Works in Sturgeon Bay reminds residents that gun safety should remain a top priority throughout the season. With more visitors in homes, kids off school, and firearms often more accessible during hunting trips, the risk of accidental injury increases if guns aren’t handled and stored responsibly.
Castillo says the holidays are the perfect time for gun owners to revisit the basics. “When you’ve got people coming and going, especially little kids who are naturally curious, safe storage becomes even more important,” Castillo says. “A firearm that’s normally secured in a bedroom might suddenly be in a hallway or unloaded on a counter after a hunt. That’s where mistakes can happen.”
Castillo urges gun owners to ensure all firearms are unloaded (however, states that all guns should always be assumed are loaded), locked, and stored in a secure safe or lockbox, with ammunition locked separately. Temporary locks, like cable locks, are better than nothing, but he encourages using a more secure option when households are bustling.
When visiting someone else’s home, Castillo says asking about firearms shouldn’t be awkward, it should be normal. “Asking about guns should be comfortable,” he says. He adds that responsible gun owners don’t get offended, they appreciate the concern. “Any good gun owner will answer that question with respect. Safety is something we should all be on the same page about.” He says that “having a conversation with your own family members at home prior to visiting a gun owner’s house proactively educates and makes safety a top priority right from the start.”
And what’s Castillo’s number-one gun safety tip for the season? “Combine them all”, he says. Every gun safety rule and tip is paramount. From ensuring your gun is unloaded, though always treating it as if it is, to storage, staging, education, and awareness, Castillo says that with more guns than people in the country, gun safety is vital, especially this time of year.
