Tuesday, August 26, 1997
Gun safety training can prevent nightmares
By TANYA EISERER
Staff Writer
It took only a split-second in late June to forever alter the
lives of two young Breckenridge boys.
Two 5-year-old boys were playing with a 22-caliber single-shot
rifle unbeknownst to their parents who were next door.
"(One child) was shot right underneath the chin, through
the throat," Municipal Judge Stella Sanders told the Reporter-News
at the time. "It's a bad deal - a nightmare."
The child was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital where he
later died.
"I understand (the rifle) was under one of the mattresses
in the bedroom," said Breckenridge Police Chief Ronnie Pendleton.
That little boy became one of hundreds of children who are
killed each year by gunfire. The Texas Legislature has designated
this week as Gun Safe Week to publicize the dangers of guns that
are accessible to children.
"It is estimated that one in two households have guns
in them," Molly Sharp, an official with the Austin-based
Firearm Safety Coalition official. "If they aren't locked
up, then there's that potential (for danger)."
In 1995, more than 200 children 14 and younger in Texas died
from unintentional firearms-related injuries, and 1,500 others
were treated in hospital emergency rooms for such injuries, according
to Texas Department of Health statistics.
Guns "are very much a part of our lives," Sharp added.
"Even if a parent doesn't own guns, their children may be
spending the night at houses were they are."
Lawmakers also hope to decrease the number of gun-related deaths
through the Child Access Protection Law.
Under that law, which went into effect Sept. 11, 1995, a person
can be held criminally responsible and fined $4,000 if a child
injures someone with a gun.
Take the mystery out
Abilene police Lt. Craig Fullerton believes the best way to
protect children is through educating them about guns.
"Guns are such a part of the American culture," said
Lt. Craig Fullerton, who is himself a gun enthusiast. "We
didn't want to teach our kids to be feaful of guns. We showed
them how they work because it takes the mystery out of it."
Fullerton said he has shown his boys, ages 10 and 12, what
bullets can do when they hit something.
"I've told them that once you pull that trigger, you can't
stop the bullet until it hits something," said Fullerton,
who keeps his guns locked up. "The fear tactics don't work
with children because when you're out of sight they will be curious."
Besides education, parents can also do other things to keep
their children from getting hurt:
- All guns - sporting guns, antique guns, BB guns, pellet guns
and others - should be properly stored and locked up. They should
be unloaded with ammunition in a separate place out of the reach
of children.
- Adults should store guns in a safe container with a key or
combination lock. Guns that are not stored should have a properly
fitted trigger lock, which can be obtained from a local gun dealer.
- Only adults should have access to lock keys and combinations.
Store keys and locks separately.
- Do not store firearms with valuables.
- Never store guns in a bedside table or under a mattress.
- Remember that children as young as 2 or 3 are strong enough
to pull the trigger of many handguns available in the United States.
For more information, contact the Austin-based Firearm Safety
Coalition at 512-43-7015.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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