Do Something!
This past weekend, a tragedy occurred. A young life was lost all too soon. This is a tragedy – because it was easily preventable.
This is local news.
It is devastating to hear that a gun was left where a young child could get their hands on it.
The children are not to blame for this tragedy – the person owning the gun is to blame.
Unfortunately, a child obtained a gun. This child may not have known what to do when they came across a gun lying around. OR, they may have disregarded the instruction when they found the gun.
Children who have been taught basic firearm safety may not follow those rules when they come across a gun. They are children. If you are a parent, and you have guns in your home, please do not depend on your child doing the right thing when you leave a gun unsecured.
Here are a few scenarios:
1. The kids came across a gun and didn’t know what to do because this discussion never came up.
2. The kids were taught what to do when they came across a gun, and disregarded what they were told.
3. The owner of the gun was negligent in storage of their gun.
1, and 2 really shouldn’t matter if 3 was addressed and the gun properly secured. The kids never should have had access to a gun!
I know, I know, you are a conscientious firearm owner and secure your firearms. Children, and those not permitted to gain access, can’t get their hands on your guns. Great! But what about other people’s houses? Are their parents conscientious firearms owners?
So, I now ask a simple question: Does your child know what to do if they encounter a handgun?
If this conversation hasn’t come up, maybe it should.
Let’s discuss which of these scenarios might have been preventable and what intervention could have made for a better outcome.
1. The kids came across a gun and didn’t know what to do because this discussion never came up.
This scenario is easily preventable by informing yourself of basic firearm safety, and taking the time to talk to your kids about what YOU, as a parent, want them to do when they come across a gun.
So, what should you tell them?
This is what the NRA tells kids through their Eddie Eagle Program:
STOP!
DON’T TOUCH!
RUN AWAY!
TELL A GROWN UP!
Eddie Eagle is a firearm safety program designed specifically for children age pre-K through 4th grade. It explains what they should do if they encounter a gun while they go about their daily activities. This program is an excellent resource for parents and teachers to better educate children on this very important subject. Check out the program and video HERE and help YOUR children understand the seriousness of this topic. There is no cost to this program – so you have no excuse – DO IT TODAY!
2. The kids were taught what to do when they came across a gun, and disregarded what they were told.
This scenario is one that is difficult to prevent without a regular reminder from parents of what is expected. Unfortunately, even with regular reminders and doing your best as a parent, other parents may not be as diligent with their teaching or handling of firearms. Be the parent that teaches your child these steps, and even if they do encounter a family that doesn’t – you may save more than just your child from tragedy.
3. The owner of the gun was negligent in storage of their firearm.
This scenario is the easiest to prevent! Firearms ownership is to be taken seriously. As an owner, you MUST be the responsible party and secure your firearms so that no unauthorized person can get their hands on them. If you fail to take these steps, there are laws in place to address your negligence.
The Ohio Revised Code indicates that if you fail to take sufficient steps to store your firearms in a manner that would prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing them, you are guilty of a second degree misdemeanor charge of ORC-2923.19 – Failure to Secure Dangerous Ordinance. I personally believe that this law should have an enhanced charge and penalty if children are involved. As a parent you should take extra precautions if children might have access to your home or place where you store your firearms. The seriousness of the potential tragedy is played out this past weekend as we see a life end. Here is a law that might get an overhaul to address scenarios with children. Talk to your representative about enhancing charges and penalties when these cases involve children!
If you furnish a gun to a minor, and then fail to supervise that child – The Ohio Revised Code shows the seriousness of this situation with the charge of Furnishing Firearms to a Minor – this charge is found in ORC – 2923.21 and the individual is guilty of a fifth degree felony. If you allow your children to handle firearms, you must be present when they do, and be certain that they are not given access when you are not available to supervise. This is your responsibility!
People will shout “DO SOMETHING!” People will want new laws to address these tragedies from happening, and fail to realize that there are laws already on the books that address negligence or unlawful acts. New laws are not going to prevent these tragedies. Only the actions of our citizenry will protect our children. Politicians will claim a new law will do something and claim the new law will prevent tragedy. They are just posturing and failing to face the fact that laws already exist addressing this specific issue. We must, as a community address these issues with our children so as to prevent these scenarios from repeating themselves. We, as parents must take the responsibility to educate ourselves, and our children on these topics. I beg you to stop blaming others and take this step in prevention. Everyone will benefit.
One last comment on the weekend. I have seen other children die due to gun violence. One in Akron (article here, or here) and one in New York (article here, or here). These are local stories that seem to only have very local coverage as of the time I was writing this blog. I’m sure there are others that won’t get national attention either. The gun violence displayed in these instances will most likely be considered “being at the wrong place at the wrong time” as drug violence, drive-by shootings, and criminals being criminals have taken a back seat to the media’s depiction of law-enforcement being the problem in our society. Gun laws will not stop this violence. Calling police the problem will not stop the violence. In recent weeks, it has only enhanced the likely hood of law-enforcement deaths at the hands of criminals who claim to be victims (article here). If the two law-enforcement officers in California would have had the chance to defend themselves, there would have been riots and protests in the streets claiming that the criminal was simply defending himself from the “notorious gang members” they refer to as police.
Wake up! Crime must be curtailed. Police must be given the resources they need to perform their duties.
Every citizen must do their part in addressing the issues of our society. If we each act responsibly, we will see positive change. If we act irresponsibly, we won’t. I encourage every citizen to learn what responsible firearm ownership looks like. I encourage every citizen to become a responsible firearm owner. Get trained, even if you never intend to carry a firearm. Get trained so that you understand what being a responsible firearm owner is, and then encourage others to do the same.
I hope to see you at the range,
Tim Barrage
Owner – Barrage of Shots Firearms Training