8/2/07
Ask the Chief: gun safety is everyone’s responsibility
By Chief Randy Garrett
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The prevention of unnecessary injury and death caused by unlocked and loaded guns is everyone’s responsibility. Gun safety information is available from any municipal police department, the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department, off the Internet and from numerous state and local agencies.
The facts are sobering.
• South Carolina ranks 4th in the United States for children who committed murder with handguns.
• South Carolina ranks 21st in the United States in child victims murdered with handguns.
• South Carolina ranks 23rd in the United States where children became victims of crime where handguns were used in the commission of the crime.
• From 1995-1999 there were two children per day killed in the United States, each day, by handguns by another child.
• One half of firearm owners keep firearms loaded and ready for use in accessible locations.
• 3.3 million children live in households with firearms that are kept loaded and unlocked.
• Most (90%) un-intentional firearm related deaths of children occur around their own homes or the home of a relative.
• Firearms cause 77 percent of violent deaths in schools.
• In 1998 more than 10,000 children ended up in hospital emergency rooms for non-powder gun-related injuries.
The following items are considered as weapons: BB guns, handguns, air pistols/rifles, long guns, cross bows and bows and arrows
Prevention of tragedy begins with properly storing all weapons. Doing so can prevent injury and death, as well as theft.
Children should be taught that when they see a gun:
STOP
DON’T TOUCH
LEAVE THE AREA
TELL AN ADULT
Children should be taught about firearms, the dangers associated with firearms and understanding the finality of any action they take with a firearm. A lot of parents disagree with educating children about firearm safety, but national statistics tell law enforcement that due to the number of weapons owned in America, that children are tremendously likely to come across a weapon at a friends or relatives home. They see guns on TV, in movies and on video games and none of these teach our children prevention or that when a bullet comes out of the end of the gun that (unlike Hollywood) that is the end.
Remember these things can also help to prevent a tragedy:
• There is no such thing as an unloaded gun unless it has been checked and is locked.
• Always check a firearm before you clean it.
• All weapons should be properly stored in locked cabinets or closets.
• All weapons should have cable locks, trigger locks or slide locks.
• Ammunition and weapons should never be stored in the same place.
• Trigger locks should not be used on loaded guns.
For more information about gun safety and the safety of your children, feel free to contact the Manning Police Department at 435-8859. |
