"Most of us are sure what we are and aren't allowed to do legally," said one gun owner.

Firearms instructors Sgt. Tom Raine and Const. Glenn Henry of the Yellowknife RCMP, tried to set the record straight but admitted even they aren't sure about all the answers.

Henry emphasized that in most cases a little common sense will go a long way. Of foremost importance --whether for storage or transportation -- a firearm must always be unloaded.

For safety purposes, it would be wise to lock the firearm in a gun case, safe or vault and store ammunition separately. Trigger locks are a prudent extra precaution.

Generally, the safety standards for handguns are twice as strict as those for rifles, according to Henry.

Many regulations relating to safety, gun permits and registration are changing in October when new legislation, the Firearms Act, comes into effect, Henry noted.

"Big changes are coming," he said.

As for children -- the original topic at hand -- Henry and Raine, who are both parents themselves, said it's imperative to remember that youngsters are highly impressionable.

"If you wave the muzzle around, your child will probably wave the muzzle around," Henry advised, adding that adults must always be aware of the example they are setting.