Updated: March 31, 2023
Originally Published: March 31, 2023
On March 12 of this year, two young lives were tragically cut short in our country. One child was just seven years old, while the other was a mere year old. On the same day, a third child, a 14-year-old, was shot in the leg but survived. Shockingly, none of these incidents involved violent criminals or parents in distress. Instead, these children were victims of unsecured firearms found in their own homes, leading to preventable accidents. The 7-year-old from Baton Rouge, LA, was shot by his 12-year-old brother, and the one-year-old from Montgomery, AL, was killed when his 2-year-old sibling discovered a firearm in their parents’ bedroom.
Two children are gone forever, and their siblings must live with the weight of this tragedy for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, these accidental shootings are not rare. According to Everytown, a group that monitors unintentional gun incidents involving children, such tragedies occur every 34 hours on average. So, who is to blame? Can we hold that 12-year-old accountable? Certainly, we can’t point fingers at a toddler. The responsibility falls on us—parents and guardians alike.
The common thread in these heartbreaking incidents is the presence of easily accessible loaded firearms in the home. No one ever imagines that it could happen to them. Yet, it does—often in families that genuinely love their children and strive to keep them safe. These parents weigh the risks of unsecured firearms against the potential need for self-defense and mistakenly conclude that the latter is more likely to occur.
However, as outlined in “The Myth Behind Defensive Gun Ownership,” the reality is that the risk of children injuring themselves or each other with a firearm far outweighs the chances that their parents will need those guns for protection.
These parents might be responsible individuals who ensure their kids wear seat belts while driving, consume healthy meals, and engage in after-school activities. Yet, because they operate under the illusion that their children won’t find or misuse the guns, they become the parents of a deceased child or one who caused another’s death.
I refuse to take that risk. Living in a region where hunting is prevalent and gun ownership is common, I require that firearms be securely locked away before my child visits your home. And just to clarify, I fully support your right to own a hunting rifle. But it must be stored properly.
Regardless of whether your 12-year-old “knows gun safety,” I don’t consider that sufficient. Even if you believe your guns are out of reach, children have an uncanny ability to find hidden things. My kids love playing Hide and Seek, and they’ll squeeze into the smallest spaces to find their friends. You can’t guarantee your firearms won’t be discovered.
Moreover, even if my children understand not to touch a gun, what about their friends who might not? Children often hide things from us to avoid getting in trouble. For example, my five-year-old once denied sneaking cookies, despite chocolate evidence everywhere. A study by Giffords Law Center highlights a startling truth: “73% of children aged nine and under reported knowing the location of their parents’ firearms, and 36% admitted to having handled them.”
We need to take the necessary precautions to safeguard our children and their friends. While we can’t eliminate all risks in life—our kids still go to school, attend concerts, and ride in cars—we can control the environment in which they play.
For a home to be considered safe, firearms should be stored unloaded in a locked safe that children cannot access. They should not know the code or have access to the key, and ammunition should be stored separately.
If you feel awkward about asking a friend about gun storage, resources like BeSMARTforKids.org offer guidance. You can ask questions such as, “Are your firearms locked and out of reach from children?”
The statistics are alarming. Since the beginning of 2023, 52 children in America have been accidentally shot. I will do everything in my power to prevent my kids from becoming numbers 53, 54, or 55. Giffords Law Center reports that 89% of accidental shooting deaths among children happen in their homes, primarily when kids are playing with unsecured guns while parents are away. That’s a staggering statistic that demands attention.
When your child visits my home, I appreciate the break you provide me as a parent. I don’t mind what snacks you offer or whether you have screen time limits. But one thing is non-negotiable: your firearms must be securely locked away. Otherwise, my kids simply cannot play.
For more information on safe gun storage, visit Everytown.org for essential safety tips.
Summary
The article emphasizes the critical need for firearm safety in homes where children play. It discusses the alarming frequency of accidental shootings involving children due to unsecured guns and highlights the responsibility of parents to ensure firearms are stored safely. The piece advocates for locked storage of guns and provides resources for parents to verify gun safety in other homes.