Let’s be real, America. The current situation has everyone on edge. Families are juggling a chaotic mix of work-from-home responsibilities, conference calls interrupted by children asking for snacks, and the challenges of homeschooling. Many parents are “essential workers,” venturing out into an uncertain world, while others are stuck at home, grappling with financial insecurities as the days stretch on.
Amid this whirlwind of stress and anxiety, there’s a critical issue that every family must address—especially with kids spending more time at home, often without supervision: the secure storage of firearms.
It may not come as a shock that since the pandemic began, sales of guns and ammunition have surged. In times of crisis, many feel compelled to arm themselves for protection, as seen in the case of 20-year-old Jake Thompson from Phoenix, AZ, who cited fears surrounding COVID-19 as his reason for purchasing a firearm. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when he mistakenly believed his gun was unloaded and, in a moment of misguided humor, pointed it at his cousin, resulting in a fatal incident.
Similarly, a recent tragedy occurred in Richmond, VA, where a four-year-old boy fatally shot himself after accessing an unsecured firearm at home, while both parents were present.
These incidents are not isolated. In just a few months of 2020, Everytown for Gun Safety reported 58 unintentional shootings by children, leading to 16 deaths and 44 injuries. Young lives, like that of 13-year-old Marcus Rivera and the four-year-old toddler, were tragically cut short due to the mistaken belief that having guns in the home somehow ensures safety.
Moreover, the pandemic has heightened emotional stress for many families, exacerbating issues like depression and isolation in children. Are you checking in regularly with your teens or tweens? A national survey revealed that 17% of high school students expressed serious thoughts about suicide in the past year. Alarmingly, in homes that own guns, 41% of adolescents report having easy access to firearms.
Consider the danger: a teenager struggling with hopelessness, cut off from friends and support systems, now has unfettered access to a loaded gun. This is a situation we cannot ignore.
Whether you’ve been a gun owner for years or recently acquired a firearm, it’s time to ask yourself a crucial question: Are your guns securely locked away, out of your children’s reach?
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, emphasizes the importance of parents reevaluating gun storage methods. “Having an honest conversation about well-being and taking necessary precautions can truly be a matter of life or death for families.”
If you’re unsure how to approach this topic, consider exploring the Be SMART campaign, which provides straightforward strategies for safe gun storage. Here are key points to remember:
- Store firearms securely in homes and vehicles.
- Model responsible behavior around firearms.
- Inquire about gun safety in other households.
- Acknowledge the connection between guns and suicide.
- Encourage others to Be SMART.
This means ensuring that firearms are locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition, rather than merely hidden under beds or in drawers. We cannot rely on children to “just know better” when it comes to guns—curiosity can lead to disastrous consequences.
During these unprecedented times, parents must be proactive in safeguarding their children from the dangers of unsecured firearms. Kids need protection from accidental shootings, and teens need support to navigate their emotional struggles without access to a firearm.
As Watts points out, “Millions of children live in homes with unsecured firearms in America,” and it’s essential to ensure that these weapons don’t become a source of harm during such stressful times.
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In summary, as we navigate these challenging times, it is more crucial than ever for parents to take the responsibility of securely storing firearms seriously.