Gun ownership is not the debate that anyone will ever win. We have a culture of gun ownership in our country, that is clear. But can we instill a culture of gun safe ownership? That is the question that we must answer with a resounding YES if we truly care about the well-being and safety of children and seek to improve physical and psychological safety in our most sacred spaces, like schools and homes.
NBC News published Children unintentionally shot and killed at least 157 people last year, Everytown says that documents a study released by Everytown regarding unintentional shootings by children. The tragic consequences of unsecured firearms and the urgent need for preventive measures are the focus of many public health campaigns. But why isn’t the needle moving on this life-saving measure?
Reaching milestones that document how many children unintentionally shoot and kill themselves or family members is devastating to read. Remember that what is predictable is preventable, a public health call to action, repeats itself repeatedly when it comes to safe storage practices or lack of them.
The data revealed that teenagers aged 14 to 17 and children under 5 were most often involved in these shootings, with about half of the incidents resulting in self-inflicted injuries. The victims were typically siblings, cousins, or friends, leading to multiple families experiencing grief. Everytown called for increased tracking and public data on these incidents to develop effective prevention strategies, stressing that these tragedies are entirely preventable.
The lack of comprehensive national data on unintentional shootings poses a significant challenge in addressing this issue. Everytown’s efforts are fueled by this data gap and the need for more detailed information to understand and prevent such incidents effectively. While federal agencies like the CDC provide some data on firearm injuries and deaths, the information is often limited and delayed.
Everytown’s tracking of these incidents based on media reports, although not exhaustive, aligns with previous research findings and sheds light on the persistent risk posed by firearms, especially to children. Firearms remain a leading cause of accidental child deaths.
The personal stories shared in the article, like that of Julvonnia McDowell whose son JaJuan died due to an unintentional shooting, underscore the devastating impact of lax firearm storage practices. McDowell’s advocacy for safe firearm storage reflects a broader call for responsible gun ownership to prevent further tragedies like those detailed in Everytown’s report.
This is an issue that we all need to worry about, whether it’s your gun or not, believe me — it can be your child.” – Julvonnia McDowell mother of 14-year-old JaJuan McDowell was unintentionally shot and killed by another teenager who was playing with a gun that had been stored in a dresser drawer.
As a new grandmother, career school nurse, and family member of both victims and survivors of two mass shootings, I choose to be part of the solution to making our country safer not only for my precious granddaughter but for this next generation of young people who should not inherit the tragic results of our lack of action. Will you share the idea of creating a culture of gun safe ownership?
Here are some ideas to start with:
Talking to children about violence June 2022
