You won’t exactly find this instructional advice in standard parenting guides: An Iowa gun range is offering a new firearms class that teaches parents how to carry both a baby and a gun.
NBC’s TODAY reports that Melody Lauer, a certified gun safety instructor and mother of three, recently led a three-hour workshop entitled “Babywearing and Carrying,” at CrossRoads Shooting Sports, an indoor range in Johnston, Iowa.
"When people say they don’t like the idea of a baby and firearm being together, I can understand that," Lauer, 30, told TODAY. "The reality is that it’s happening... so I decided to make a safe place where mothers of young children can come and talk about guns."
Participants in the class were schooled in the basics of “safe holster and carry systems while babywearing,” according to an ad for the class. Lauer also offered tips on safe gun handling and storage around kids.
Tom Hudson, general manager and owner, said another session is in the works.
“It went pretty well… we felt that this was a neat thing to bring to the community,” Hudson told TODAY. “It was a bit of a pilot, if you will, to gauge reception and interest.”
Lauer said she decided to lead the class after hearing news reports about a woman who was fatally shot by her 2-year-old son in an Idaho Walmart in December after the boy reached into her purse and grabbed a handgun inside.
"We’re seeing a surge in women who are getting into guns," she told TODAY. "All I know is that they’re bringing kids with them and I want to make sure they’re doing it safely."
© 2026 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.