Parents that own guns should heed gun safety warnings and secure or get rid of their weapon before a horrible accidental death happens in their family. Recent and alarming incidents involving kids killed after finding access to firearms makes gun safety a must for parents and child care givers.  Here are five incidents in July, 2009 alone! 

In Haltom City, Texas, a five-year-old boy Anthony Abrego died when his 13-year-old uncle accidentally shot him with a bb gun in the back of the head as the two played.

In Hamilton, Ohio, a five-year-old boy Zachariah Nesbitt died after finding a 9mm Glock handgun in a closet and shooting himself in the abdomen.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, a 2-year old girl is in critical condition after her 4-year old brother pulled the trigger, shooting his sister in the abdomen.

In Grey Court, South Carolina, a 3-year old boy shot his 4-year old brother in the stomach with a .22-caliber handgun. The young boy likely found the gun under a bed and accidentally shot his brother.

Another incident in Las Vegas involved a 5-year old boy who accidentally shot himself in the head and killed himself. He found a gun in the car while he and his father were going through the drive through at the Walgreen’s store on Durango and Warm Springs.

These incidents are horrific and real examples of why gun safety is vital. These tragic accidents all happened in just a few seconds and all because young children had access to weapons that kill. 

If you own a gun and have it in your home or car, here are some gun safety parenting tips.

Never keep the gun loaded. Take the ammunition out of the gun and store it away from the gun.

Lock the gun and keep it away from children.  Store the keys to the lock for the gun apart from other household keys and in a place that won’t allow a child to access.  Keep gun cleaning supplies in a childproof place and the chemicals are often poisonous. 

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