Cleveland Daily – Cleveland Tenn

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Gilley: Common sense tips on gun safety and children

Published Sunday, June 03, 2001 6:00 AM EDT

Approximately half the households in the United States have one or more guns and there are 200,000,000 privately owned guns in this country. So, it is likely that your child will be exposed to a gun at some time, whether at home, at play, visiting a friend or neighbor, at school, or even on the street.

Children are not always aware of how dangerous guns are. They see people using guns on television, in cartoons, and at the movies as though they were toys. We often treat non-firearm guns such as BB and pellet guns as though they were toys. But guns are not toys. They can kill. And BB or pellet guns can cause serious injury, frequently including loss of eyesight. For their own protection and the safety of others, children should be taught the basics of gun safety

First, tell children that if they find a gun they should;

A. Stop

B. Don’t touch the gun

C. Leave the area

D. Tell a trusted adult about the gun

This basic safety message is endorsed by sources as diverse as the NRA, and Handgun Control Inc.

Also, parents should make sure that children know the difference between toy guns and real guns, and that if they can’t tell whether a particular gun is a toy, treat it as though it is real. Explain to children that guns used on TV and in the movies are only “make believe” and that actors just pretend to be shot. Help them understand that if someone is shot with a real gun, he or she can be seriously hurt or killed. Explain the nature and extent of common BB or pellet gun injuries as well.

Teach children that if they see a friend playing with a gun, they should ask the friend to put down the gun – DO NOT TRY TO TAKE THE GUN AWAY! They should then walk away and tell an adult. If no adult is present, dial 911 or “0″ for operator, and get some help. Be sure that children know how to get help in case of a gun incident or other emergency.

Besides keeping your own guns out of your children’s reach, check with the parents of your children’s friends to be sure they follow the same gun safety precautions as you do. Set a positive example by always following safe gun handling practices yourself.

If you allow your children to use BB or pellet guns, be aware that there is no substitute for adult supervision. Ensure that children shoot at a safe, non-deflecting backstop. Teach them never to point the gun at anyone, and to keep their finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Hunter safety courses are an excellent idea.

One possible word of comfort. Gun control advocates have lately been tossing some statistics around rather carelessly, in particular a figure of 4,700 children and teens killed annually by gun incidents. This figure is correct but 4,000 of that number are teens aged 15-19 years, not small children who accidentally shoot themselves or a playmate. More children under 15 are killed annually by bicycles, space heaters, swimming pools and cigarette lighters than by guns. Think carefully about your decision to own a gun, but don’t take such hysterical figures at face value.

So, parents, teach your children! A little preventive education can go a long way toward avoiding a tragedy!