A state hunting safety expert says if you plan to pass grandpa’s gun down to the next generation, it should be carefully checked before it’s gift-wrapped. Department of Natural Resources safety specialist Rod Slings says “they may have great, great sentimental value” but antique guns should be checked by a gunsmith or qualified fire arms inspector to make sure the gun works properly. Slings says if you give the gift of a gun to a kid this Christmas, you should make sure the teen has completed a hunter safety course and has “direct supervision” while they’re using the firearm. For more information on gun safety, check out www.iowadnr.com on the Internet.