Common-sense precautions can help keep guns out of the hands of children

BY KRISTEN PETTIT

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the Dyker Heights girl who was recently shot by another child. This tragedy could have been far, far worse and we need to do everything possible to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening in the future.

A recent analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety showed that nearly two children per week are killed in unintentional shootings— and more than two-thirds of these tragedies could have been avoided if gun owners stored their guns responsibly and prevented children from accessing them.

Often times, these tragedies are labeled “accidents” but the majority of these events are entirely preventable with safe gun storage.

That is why Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America encourage parents, caretakers and everyone else to “Be SMART” and take these simple steps to help prevent shootings by children:

• Secure all guns in your home and vehicles;
• Model responsible behavior around guns;
• Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes;
• Recognize the risks of teen suicide;
• Tell your peers to be SMART.

We also need to press our leaders to propose, pass and enforce child access prevention laws that penalize adults who do not properly secure firearms—especially in the presence of children.

It is up to all of us—gun owners and non-gun owners alike—to do our part.

Common-sense measures that reinforce responsible gun storage respect the rights of lawful gun owners while also protecting our children.

Let’s all do our part to keep guns out of the wrong hands, including our children’s.

Be SMART.

Kristen Pettit is the Campaign Lead for the New York State Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She is a mother of two and resides in Bay Ridge.