A Not So Gentle Reminder

I was saddened to read this story today:

3-year-old kills brother, 2, in accidental shooting

12:14 PM CDT on Thursday, May 28, 2009

Associated Press BAKERSFIELD, California — Police in central California say a 2-year-old boy has died after being accidentally shot by his 3-year-old sister.

Bakersfield police Sgt. Greg Terry says the girl apparently found a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun under her parents’ bed Wednesday afternoon and accidentally shot her brother.

The wounded boy was taken to Kern Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Police say the children’s mother was in another area of the apartment at the time of the shooting. Their father was at work.

The investigation is continuing.

So, as a reminder, I’m re-posting something I wrote last summer.   I think it is timely, because many children are just about to wrap up with school and have lots of free time to explore.   You might not have them, but what about your brother? babysitter? the father of your daughter’s best friend?   Now, is the time to educate your kids about guns. Don’t wait.

Are you pro-gun? Anti-gun? Have a house full of guns? Won’t allow guns in your house? For this discussion, it really doesn’t matter. The fact is – there are guns in this world, and there are children in this world. So we need to teach our children about gun safety.

You might think that you are “safe” and that you don’t need to teach your children about gun safety because you don’t allow guns in your home. Well, let me share this with you… Hubby shared a story he read with me the other day. A 5-year-old girl found a gun lying on the ground at an outdoor family Fourth of July event. She picked up the gun and carried it to her parents to let them know what she found. The parents of course were horrified. Upon examination, it was found that the weapon was fully loaded and ready to be fired. If the girl had been curious or careless and somehow squeezed the trigger, she could have easily fired the weapon. Which may or may not have harmed anyone, but the sound of gunfire surely would have startled everyone. One false move, and the holiday easily could have ended in tragedy.

Honestly, I don’t know if the girls parents allowed guns in their home or not. But I do know, that particular gun could have been found by any curious child because it was in the grass on the ground. And I also know, that child needs to learn the ultimate rule of gun safety.

We have taught our children from the very start the ultimate rule of gun safety. The ultimate rule is: if you find a gun run away and tell an adult. We go over who exactly is an “adult.” Because our children are younger, we want to make sure they know that just because 12-year-old Melissa and 9-year-old Geoffrey are older than they are, Melissa and Geoffrey are not adults. It so happens that we do have guns in our home, and we let our children practice what to do should they ever find a firearm. We purposely set out an unloaded handgun – we don’t let it out of our sight – but we give our kids the opportunity to find a gun and practice what steps to take next. Just like we do fire drills, and practice getting out the house and meeting at the mailbox when the fire alarm is beeping – we practice what to do when we find a gun.

Because I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t know for certain what my children will do if they ever find a firearm when I am not present. But I do know that I have given them the most valuable tool – knowledge. Knowledge about what they should do if they find a gun. We have taught them that guns are not toys, and that if they ever find one to run away and tell an adult.

Teaching kids how to be safe if they find a gun – works for me!

PS: I received a note that it might be worthwhile to share this link about the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program. Eddie Eagle says: “If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

I’d also like to add that my husband is an avid shooting sportsman.   Just about once a week, he punches holes in paper.   My kids know what’s going on and have a natural curiosity about the firearms.   We taught them the 4 Rules of Gun Safety.

1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle of a gun point at anything you donot want to destroy or kill.

3. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger.

4. Be absolutely sure of your target, and what is behind it.

Once they could recite and explain what each rule meant. We allowed them to look at and touch any firearm they wish so long as Mom or Dad is there to help and answer questions.   And we’ve taught them not to accept or touch one that has ammunition in it.   They know to say, “Show me that it’s clear (or unloaded.)”   Once they’ve checked (and they do know where to check) they will then accept the firearm.   I believe that the freedom they have to check out any firearm has answered their curiosity, thereby removing the mystery.

Whether you think I’m right or wrong – it doesn’t matter – just as long as you teach your kids about gun safety.