In recent years, a startling trend has emerged in the United States: toddlers have been involved in shooting incidents, either accidentally injuring themselves or others, at an alarming rate—once a week, to be exact. This raises a critical question: how do we address this issue? Advocating for gun safety regulations? That’s a contentious proposal. According to the National Rifle Association (NRA), responsible gun owners don’t need guidance on proper firearm storage. The organization openly criticized a local board that sought to implement safe storage laws, stating, “Everyone knows that firearms must be stored safely, particularly when housed with children, but it is NOT the Board’s business or role to dictate how people store things in their homes.”
It’s true that everyone is aware of the importance of safe gun storage—much like we all understand that seat belts save lives. So why bother with laws enforcing these practices? After all, we all know that murder is wrong, so why have laws against it? Criminals will always find a way to commit crimes, right? Why hold “responsible” gun owners accountable when they leave their weapons unlocked and accessible to curious toddlers? Accidents happen, after all.
But in reality, we can take steps to prevent such tragedies. Enforcing mandatory safe storage laws across all states and holding adults accountable for the consequences of their negligence is crucial. And I’m not just referring to toddlers here.
While the above may sound like satire, it highlights a serious public health crisis. As Dan Harper, president of the Brady Campaign, stated, “This PSA is satire, but the public health crisis it calls attention to is anything but.” The issue at hand is clear: guns are too easily accessible to those who shouldn’t have them—whether that be a child, a convicted felon, or someone with a history of domestic violence or terrorism. This reality leads to countless lives being tragically altered or lost every day.
Shockingly, fewer than 20 states have enacted laws holding adults criminally responsible if their improperly stored guns are accessed by children and result in harm. Why is this the case? Our children are suffering because Congress is reluctant to take significant steps toward gun regulation and safety. Moreover, we’re often barred from gathering comprehensive data about gun-related deaths. A piece by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times pointed out that while there were 89 grants for rabies research and 212 for cholera, only three were awarded for studying firearm injuries between 1973 and 2012.
Statistics show that one-third of households with children under 18 own a gun, and over 40% of these households leave their firearms unlocked. Alarmingly, 22% of children in gun-owning families have handled guns without their parents’ knowledge. Tragically, more than half of youth who die by suicide using a firearm obtained the weapon from their home, usually a parent’s gun.
Yet, whenever news breaks about a child finding a firearm and causing harm, the narrative quickly shifts to blaming the parents: “This is just an irresponsible, foolish parent!” Some believe that laws can’t fix human stupidity. But they can, and they must!
So, what are we going to do? Are we going to keep shrugging our shoulders every time a toddler accesses a firearm, insisting that there’s nothing we can do? There is a solution.
The frustrating truth is that responsible gun owners and advocates for stricter gun safety legislation share the same goal—protecting our children. It’s time to prioritize their safety by advocating for safe storage laws and recognizing that we hold the power through our votes. Our representatives must understand that we refuse to sacrifice our children’s well-being in the name of 2nd Amendment paranoia.
Let’s be clear: no one is trying to take away your guns.
Recently, Congress struck down four reasonable gun safety measures that any responsible gun owner should support. These included preventing those on the no-fly list from purchasing firearms, closing background check loopholes at gun shows and online, and expanding checks for mental health issues and suspected terrorism. All were dismissed, primarily due to the NRA’s significant lobbying influence over Congress.
So yes, while it may be said that guns don’t kill people, toddlers do—if we continue to ignore the issue, we’re complicit in the problem.
In light of these statistics and the ongoing tragedy, it’s essential that we strive for solutions rather than excuses. If you’re interested in learning more about how to advocate for change, you can check out our other blog post here or explore resources like Women’s Health which provide valuable information on home insemination and pregnancy. Also, consider reputable retailers like CryoBaby for at-home insemination kits as part of your family planning journey.
Summary
The ongoing issue of toddler-involved shootings highlights a significant public health crisis in America. Despite widespread awareness of safe gun storage practices, many households leave firearms unlocked, leading to tragic accidents. Advocacy for mandatory safe storage laws and accountability for negligent gun owners is crucial to protecting children. The time has come for responsible gun owners and advocates for gun safety to unite for the sake of public safety.