A news story from Harris County, Texas Monday morning rang all too true for many attending our local Rotary Club luncheon meeting this past Tuesday.
The ABC News story was on KVOE about a 4-year-old girl being accidentally shot and killed by her younger sister who got a hold of a loaded semi-automatic pistol in their Texas apartment.
Our Rotary program was presented by three ladies from a local gun safety organization called BE SMART GUN SAFETY. Our notice included something about an Emporia Mom Demands Action.
I was expecting a pitch for increasing regulations on guns with an anti-gun bias, but that wasn’t it at all.
The most shocking statement made by the ladies was that guns kill more children in America than any other cause. Another was a survey from kids found 41% indicated they had easy access to a gun.
The program last Tuesday was geared entirely at keeping guns in the home secure from kids by using gun trigger locks which are free from most law enforcement people or locked cases designed for that purpose.
When I looked at the NRA website I saw a lot about how to safely use guns, but less about keeping guns secure from kids.
The Texas story where a three-year-old sister evidently shot her four-year-old sibling should scare the bejeezus out of anyone with guns at home.
Remember, the most shocking statement made by the ladies was that guns kill more children in America than any other cause.
SMART stands for:
S is for Secure
M is to Model responsible gun behavior
A is to Ask about unsecured guns in homes or vehicles
R is to Recognize the role of guns in suicides
T is to tell friends and neighbors to be SMART with guns
Thank you ladies for an excellent program.
I’m Steve Sauder hoping I’ve given you Something to Think About.
