On March 12 this year, two young children lost their lives in a tragic incident involving guns. One was just seven years old, while the other was only a year old. On the same day, a 14-year-old was shot in the leg but survived. The heartbreaking truth is that these children were not harmed by malicious criminals or in desperate situations. Instead, they became victims of unsecured firearms in their own homes, with two of them fatally shot by their siblings. The 7-year-old from Lakeview, LA was killed by his 12-year-old brother, and the 1-year-old from Riverside, AL was shot by his 2-year-old sibling after finding a gun in their parents’ bedroom.
Two lives have been lost forever, and their grieving siblings now carry the weight of this tragedy. Unfortunately, these incidents are not uncommon. According to Everytown, an organization that monitors unintentional shootings among children, such tragedies occur roughly every 34 hours in the United States.
Where Does the Blame Lie?
So, where does the blame lie? Can we hold that 12-year-old responsible? Certainly not the toddler. The responsibility falls on us as parents. The common factor in these tragedies is the accessibility of loaded guns in homes.
Many parents believe it won’t happen to them. Yet, it does—often to families who genuinely love their children and take precautions. These parents might think the risk of their children finding an unsecured firearm is outweighed by the need for self-defense against potential intruders. However, statistical evidence suggests that the chances of children harming themselves or each other are far greater than a parent ever needing a firearm for protection.
These are likely devoted parents who ensure their kids wear seat belts, eat healthy meals, and engage in safe outdoor activities like baseball. Yet, their belief that their children won’t discover a gun or that they understand gun safety leads to devastating consequences. I refuse to take that risk. Living in a region where hunting is prevalent and gun ownership is common, I insist that any home my child visits must have firearms securely locked away.
And no, I’m not against hunting. My family consumes meat and supports responsible hunting practices. Our child is a Boy Scout who has learned safe shooting and archery. My stance is simple: just lock up your firearms.
The Illusion of Safety
It’s great if your 12-year-old understands gun safety, but that alone does not guarantee safety. Even if your guns are “hidden” or “out of reach,” that’s not enough. My children love games like Hide and Seek and can squeeze into the smallest spaces. You cannot guarantee that your guns won’t be discovered.
Moreover, what about visiting neighborhood kids? Are they aware of the dangers? Kids often don’t tell the truth out of fear of getting into trouble. For instance, my five-year-old once denied sneaking cookies even with chocolate evidence. As Giffords Law Center highlights, “Studies show that these unsecured weapons are frequently accessible to—and accessed by—young children, even when parents believe they are not.” Shockingly, 73% of children aged nine and under know where their parents keep firearms, and 36% have handled them.
Kids are inherently curious and will test boundaries. This is why we must take every precaution to keep them safe. While we cannot shield our children from all dangers in life, we can control their environment when it comes to firearms.
Creating a Gun-Safe Home
A gun-safe home is one where firearms are stored unloaded in a locked safe, completely inaccessible to children. They should not know the code or have access to the key, and ammunition should be stored separately in a secure location.
If you find discussing gun safety uncomfortable, there are resources like BeSMARTforKids.org that can guide you on how to approach this topic. You can ask questions like, “Are your guns locked and out of reach of the kids?” and verify that children don’t know how to access them.
The Statistics
The statistics are staggering. Since the beginning of 2023, 52 children in America have been accidentally shot. I will do everything in my power to prevent my children from becoming numbers 53, 54, and 55. According to Giffords Law Center, an alarming 89% of accidental shooting deaths among children occur at home, primarily when children are playing with unsecured loaded guns.
If your house is hosting my child, I’m grateful for the break. But I have one non-negotiable request: your firearms must be securely locked away, or my children cannot play.
For more information on safe gun storage, visit Everytown.org for valuable safety tips.
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Summary
The article emphasizes the critical importance of securing firearms in homes to prevent tragic accidents involving children. It discusses recent incidents where children have lost their lives due to unsecured guns and highlights the statistics surrounding accidental shootings. The author urges parents to take responsibility for gun safety in their homes and provides resources for ensuring safe storage practices.
Keyphrase: firearm safety for children
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