GUN SAFETY
I know this is a subject that many people worry about and many people don't want to talk about. But the fact is that there are firearms everywhere. Some people have a hand gun, or rifle, or shotgun, or all of the above in their homes. Some people have none of those.
In a 2020 report, FIREARMS became the leading cause of death in children and teenagers. Previously (for the last 60 years), car accidents were the leading cause of death, but the risk of firearm death has increased drastically. Between 2019 and 2020, firearm deaths for people aged 1-19 increased by 30% (which is a massive jump!). For children, 65% of firearm deaths are homicides and 35% are categorized as suicide. Mass shootings, such as the event in Uvalde recently, contribute to those numbers, but the majority are firearm deaths at home, and in one's own neighborhood. These are daily occurrences!
Over all, there were a record 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. in 2020! Between 2015 and 2020, there were at least 2,070 unintentional shootings by children that resulted in 765 deaths and 1,366 nonfatal gun injuries. In 2020 alone, at least 125 toddlers and children age 5 and under shot themselves or someone else.
Firearm deaths, especially those affecting children and teens, are preventable. Straight-forward, common sense safety procedures can prevent a majority of the death and injuries. This starts at home.
THE SAFEST HOME FOR A CHILD IS ONE WITHOUT GUNS AT ALL.
If you do keep guns in your home, these are some of the basic safety rules-
*All guns in your home should be locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately.
*Use a gun safe and make sure children and teens can't access the keys or combinations to lock boxes or gun safes.
*Don't keep loaded, unlocked guns in the car, or anywhere else on your property.
*When using a gun for hunting or target practice, keep the safety catch in place until you are ready to fire it
*Before setting the gun down, always unload it.
*Teach your child never to touch a firearm if they find one, and to always assume that it is loaded and dangerous.
*No matter how much instruction you may give about how to safely shoot a gun, children are not capable or responsible enough to handle a potentially lethal weapon.
The other major risks to your child are guns kept in other people's homes. Your child probably visits friends, neighbors, and relatives, and you may have no idea whether or not they have firearms in their home.
To keep your kids safe in other homes-
*Ask the question! “Is there an unlocked gun in your house”. You may ask about other safety issues such as allergy issues or who will be supervising the children. Just include this in your usual questions before your child goes to another person's home.
*Remind your children that if they ever come across a gun, they should not touch it at all and tell you immediately.
It is important for all of us to protect our children. Keeping children safe is the highest priority!!