Texas DPS Shares Holiday Gun Storage Safety Tips for Families

December 16, 2025 – CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As families gather for the holidays, the Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding gun owners to prioritize safe firearm storage, especially in homes with children or visiting guests.

As part of its Safe Gun Storage Campaign, DPS officials say the holiday season often brings increased risk as firearms may be left unsecured during busy travel, celebrations, or when relatives unfamiliar with a home’s safety practices are present. DPS encourages gun owners to take extra precautions to prevent accidental injuries or unauthorized access.

Key recommendations include keeping firearms locked in a gun safe, lockbox, or secured with a trigger or cable lock. Ammunition should be stored separately, and keys or access codes should be kept out of reach of children. DPS also urges adults to have open, age-appropriate conversations with children about what to do if they encounter a firearm.

“Safe storage saves lives,” DPS officials said, noting that many unintentional shootings involving children occur when a firearm is left loaded and unsecured. Officials stress that responsible gun ownership includes ensuring firearms are inaccessible to those who should not handle them.

The department also reminds gun owners traveling for the holidays to secure firearms before leaving home and to follow all state and federal laws when transporting weapons.

DPS says the Safe Gun Storage Campaign is not about limiting legal gun ownership, but about promoting responsible practices that protect families and communities.

Additional safety resources and free gun locks are available through DPS partners and local law enforcement agencies across Texas.