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How To Keep Your Child From Being A Victim Of Gun Violence


We don’t like to think about someone we love being a victim of violence, but is much more common than you may realize.

While you can’t keep your family totally safe, here are safety steps you can take to protect your child from what, unfortunately, are real risks.

Each day some 11 children and youth under age 24 die from firearms. You take your child to the doctor to get shots, but your child is far more likely to be killed by a gun than die of anything the doctor can cure.*

Most people are NOT shot in a Newtown type mass attack. Nor are gun deaths restricted to inner-city gangs or criminals.

Most people are shot by someone they know or they die from suicide.  Deaths occur from accidents, domestic violence attacks, arguments that escalate.*

Accident: This includes being shot by a sibling or friend. Normally we don’t hear of these accidents. Since Newtown the press has been more vigilant about reporting them, and I have read about several cases in the last month including the case of a five-year-old killing his two-year-old sister.

What might affect your child and what can you do to protect your child and those in your neighborhood and city?

Helpful Hints:

1. Don’t have a gun in your home. The data shows that if you have a gun in the home the person most likely to be killed is a family member.*

2. If you feel you must have a gun for safety, or want one for sports, make sure it is ALWAYS locked in a childproof manner. Teach your children that guns are not toys and that they must never copy what they see on television or in video games. I remember hearing one teenage boy say sadly that he didn’t realize bullets hurt until someone shot him.

3. Check with the parents of every place your child visits to see if they have guns and how they are stored.

Suicide: I know, you don’t think your child would do it. But six U.S. youths under age 24 shoot themselves to death each day.*

Sadly, it can happen in any family. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teenagers.*

Access to guns increases the likelihood that a suicide attempt will be fatal. I had a friend who had tried unsuccessfully several times, until she tried with a gun.

Talk to your doctor if your child is depressed or talks about suicide or suddenly starts to give away cherished possessions.

Unfortunately, one state has passed and at least six are considering laws backed by the National Rifle Association making it illegal for doctors to ask about guns in the home.

Your child could lose a beloved grandparent since the suicide rate of middle-aged white males has skyrocketed. They now die more often from suicide than from car accidents.*

Domestic Violence: Three to four women a day die from domestic violence. Some data found that in cases of domestic violence attacks, the victim was 12 times more likely to die than if the attacker used hands, knife or other means.*

If you are at risk, your child could also be at risk. If your partner, or ex-partner, has access to a gun or has ever threatened you with a gun, you are in danger. Contact a domestic violence center immediately.

Being aware that it can happen in your community and to your family enables you discuss with your spouse and neighbors the best ways to protect yourself. Good luck.

* Sources:

10 Leading Causes of Death by Age Group, United States-2010. Centers for Disease Control

10 Leading Causes of Injury Deaths by Age Group Highlighting Violence-Related Injury Deaths, United States-2010. Centers for Disease Control

Violence Prevention Facts at a Glance

Peggy Wireman is a guest blogger for JenningsWire.