Protecting Children, Preventing Tragedies

Last Sunday, the New York Times published a heartwrenching article called Children and Guns: The Hidden Toll. As you might expect, authors Michael Luo and Mike McIntire explored the preventable and all-too-common issue of accidental shootings of children in the United States.

It was an eye-opening article. Due to inconsistencies in the way these shootings are categories - some as accidents, some as homicides - the conventional statistics regarding their frequency are inaccurate. Given that it should never (ever!) happen at all, the fact that it happens even more than we thought is simply galling.

Furthermore, this inaccurate data is being used to fend off legislation designed to keep children safe. The authors note that "the National Rifle Association cited the lower official numbers this year in a fact sheet opposing “safe storage” laws, saying children were more likely to be killed by falls, poisoning or environmental factors — an incorrect assertion if the actual number of accidental firearm deaths is significantly higher."

The authors also note that most of the shooters and victims are boys, who simply cannot resist the allure of a real gun, despite whatever warnings they've heard from parents. After younger adolescents, three-year-old boys are most susceptible to be involved in accidental shootings. 

I'm a parent. I know my children are safe from firearms accidents in my own home, yet I've struggled to summon the courage to ask about gun safety in the homes they visit for playdates. The Center to Prevent Youth Violence has been campaigning to normalize asking about guns through their Asking Saves Kids (ASK) program. 

Thanks to the Western Springs Police Department, residents of the Village have a new conversation starter and an absolutely invaluable resource. At the encouragement of Common Sense Reform, the department is participating in Project ChildSafe. According to the news release on their website, "FREE cable gun locks are available to residents to help secure their firearms. The locks can be picked up at the Police Department located at 740 Hillgrove Avenue. If you have any questions, please contact the Police Department at 708-246-8540."

Keep your children safe. Keep your children's friends safe. Claim your free lock if you need one. And don't be afraid to ASK.

Let us hope and pray that no more young lives will be lost to these preventable tragedies.