Written in a conversational style with illustrations, this booklet from a series of home literacy readers is directed at the Alaskan environment where guns are a way of life, used for food and defense from animals. But more than 10% of the 1,300 U.S. deaths from gun accidents occur in Alaska, and more than 70%, at home. Nearly half the victims are under 21. Gun safety is a matter of knowing when and how to handle guns. It is important, for example, to store guns and ammunition away from children, to teach children not to play with guns, and to teach them how to shoot when hunting. Guns should be kept unloaded whenever possible. When carrying guns, one should keep the safety on, fingers outside the trigger guard, and uncocked (open actions of shotguns), especially if jumping or climbing. Guns, instead of being packed loose in travel gear, should be disassembled and the pieces wrapped. Alcohol should not be consumed when hunting or gun cleaning. One should never shoot at flat hard surfaces or water, and always make sure of the target. People should be warned of loaded guns at fishing camps or when trapping. Children should be forewarned to stay away from strange guns. A gun should always be treated as if it were loaded. (SC)