| firearm safety
Rights come with
Responsibilities
lok-it-up 
Many people confuse the issue of gun safety with
the issue of gun ownership. The Second Amendment to the Constitution
states, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms."
Gun safety addresses the responsibility that comes with that right
and the majority of Washingtonians support common sense solutions
to gun violence (homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings).
Over half of all suicides that take the lives of Kitsap County residents
are the result of a firearm. Reducing access to lethal means is
an important prevention strategy. Many guns are stored unsafely.
Locking up firearms can greatly reduce unwanted access and safe
lives. The safe storage of firearms in a locked location can reduce
the risk of deaths, injuries and suicides.
STATISTICS:
- In Washington State, between 1998 and 2002,
2,722 residents (including 115 children, 17 years old
or younger) died, and 1313 were hospitalized, as a result of firearms
(Washington State Injury Prevention Program March 2004).
- Firearm Suicides- 16,418 in US, 381 in Washington
(CDC 2002/2001).
- Firearm Homicides- 10,417 in US, 141 in Washington
(CDC 2002/2001).
- Unintentional Firearm Deaths- 808 in US, 12
in Washington (CDC 2002/2001).
59% of suicides and more than 50% of homicides
in Kitsap County are completed with a firearm (KCHD epidemiology;
Washington State DOH).
Firearms are present in approximately 711,000 of Washington households.
Of these households, 394,000 store their guns unlocked, and 148,000
store their guns loaded. (Washington State Department of Health,
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2000)
FACTS:
- ·Firearms are second to motor vehicles
as the leading cause of death from injury in the U.S and in Washington
State (DOH, 2002).
- ·Between 1997-2001, 8 youths, under
the age of 19 were fatally injured as a result of firearms in
Kitsap County (DOH, 2003).
- In the 2000-01 school year, 5 firearms were
confiscated from students in Kitsap County schools (Office of
the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2002).
- 33% of Washington homes contain a gun (DOH,
2002).
A multi-faceted community
approach is needed to deal with this public health concern.
The Kitsap County Health District has partnered with two campaigns
in order to decrease the numbers of firearm related deaths and injuries
in our community.
- The LOK-IT-UP Safe Storage
Campaign promotes the use of trigger locks and lockboxes with
firearms. In particular, it targets the parents of children and
adolescents in the hopes of preventing unintentional firearm death
and injury, firearm related suicides, and to prevent gun theft
(CDR Newsletter, July 2002). For more information call,
1-877-LOK-IT-UP or visit the LOK-It-Up.Campaign
website.
- The ASK (Asking Saves
Kids) Campaign urges parents to ASK if there are guns
in the homes where their children play. It is designed to educate
and empower parents and others to reduce the risk of firearm death
and injury among children. For tips on how to ASK, call 1-866-322-IASK
or visit the ASK
Campaign website.
WHAT CAN YOU DO:
- Safely store all firearms.
Just talking to your child about the dangers of firearms is not
enough. Children are naturally curious. If a gun is accessible
in your home, there is a good chance a child will find it and
play with it. Store the firearm unloaded in and securely locked
up. There are dozens of devices to lock your firearms. Many experts
recommend using log boxes, sates or gun vaults with a push button
combination or digital keypad lock. No matter which security devise
you choose, ensure that it meets the California Department of
Justice safety standards. Check http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/fsdcertlist.htm
for a list of approved firearm safety devices.
- Ask if there is a gun where your child
plays.
If a gun is accessible in someone’s home, there is a good
chance a child will find it and play with it. So ask your neighbor
or the parent if there have a gun before sending your kids over
to play. If the answer is no...that is one less thing you have
to worry about. If they answer is yes…y9ou need to make
sure that all guns are stored unloaded and locked. If there are
any doubts about the safety of someone’s home, you should
invite the children to play at your house instead.
- Educate others.
Influence other people to store their firearms safely and educate
them about the dangers of having unsafely stored firearms in a
home. Making others aware that locking up firearms can greatly
reduce unwanted access and safe lives.
RESOURCES:
ASK
Asking Saves Kids
ASK
Campaign
1-866-322-IASK
Lok-It-Up
Promoting Safe Firearm Storage
LOK-It-Up
Campaign
1-877-LOK-IT-UP |
