| People are injured and killed every day by accidental and intentional discharge of firearms in the United States. In 2003, the National Safety Council reported that 730 people were killed in firearm-related accidents out of a total 109,277 accidental deaths. These numbers tell us that about 0.6% of accidental deaths involve firearms. It's good that it's so low, but bad because many of these could have been prevented.
Hunter safety courses and the Eddie Eagle GunsafeŽ Program, as well as others, have educated children about what to do if they find a gun and how to handle a gun safely. Firearm safety has reduced the numbers of accidents involving children and hunters over the years. Firearm accidents are always tragic, and it's important to understand that even one accident is too many. Even though firearms only account for 0.6% of the accidental deaths each year, we still have to be thinking about how to avoid such tragedy, especially when the accident involves a child.
Sadly, the largest group of people who suffer from death from a firearm are late teens who have committed suicide. In 2003, there were 7,671 suicides that were firearm related. That figure is almost half of all the suicides that involved the use of a gun. If you have a gun or are purchasing one, it is vital that you consider how to ensure that the gun cannot be used by a troubled teen or child on themselves or each other, such as in a school shooting. The children involved in this sort of accident often don't ever let on that there is a problem at home, so consider carefully how you can be certain that your kids and their friends do not have unsupervised access to firearms in your home. If you keep guns locked up and ammunition locked up separately, it greatly reduces the chance of a suicide involving a gun. If only one life is saved, then it is worth the effort of securing the firearms in a safe place.
One of the easiest ways to keep guns out of the hands of children and teens is to use a gun safe. They come in many different sizes from small locking boxes to large floor type safes. The important thing is that firearms are kept locked when not in use, and ammunition should be kept locked in a separate place. It would be best if children didn't know where they were kept and the keys should always be inaccessible to prevent an accident. The greatest danger is when the adult is not at home and the children are, so if you have a gun out, be sure and lock it up before you leave, and do not leave it unattended.
The rate of firearm related accidents is falling, and gun owners and operators are taking responsibility for keeping guns out of the hands of children. Consider using a gun safe, or at least keep guns in a tamper-proof locked closet or cupboard. Additionally, educate yourself and children about safe handling procedures, and what to do if they discover a gun at home or somewhere else. Consider taking a hunter safety course through your state Conservation Department. Often a parent and child can take the class together, so you will learn how to be safe and spend time together. You will also have the advantage of reminding your child and refreshing his or her memory about rules and techniques you learned.
The bottom line is that even one death by firearm is too many, and it fuels anti-gun sentiments. When gun owners are responsible and teach their kids proper gun safety and keep guns locked up when not in use, they are protecting them from accidental injury or death. Guns can be a pleasurable activity or protection for the whole family, if you use a little common sense. |
GUN SAFE GUIDE
