Are gun deaths preventable with locks?

Louisiana citizens love their guns, love hunting and detest being told what they can do with their firearms.

But a state that has the second highest gun death rate in the country, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, needs to do a better job protecting its young ones from accidents.

Louisiana has no law prohibiting children accessing guns, and if they do and hurt themselves or others parents usually are not be charged with a crime.

Studies have shown one of every three guns in a home are loaded and unlocked, and up to 70 percent of children know where those guns are. Almost 40 percent admit to handling a gun with or without permission.

National reports indicate 606 people died from unintentional firearm injuries in 2010, with nearly 3,800 U.S. citizens dying in unintentional shootings from 2005-2010. A federal government study showed 8 percent of shooting accidents were committed by children under the age of six.

That’s why organizations such as Project ChildSafe and the NRA’s Eddie Eagle program are critical. Those educational programs promote safe storage of firearms in the home to limit access to those who shouldn’t have access to a firearm without supervision. Through funding from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Project ChildSafe makes gun locks available primarily through law enforcement agencies across the state.

The National Safety Council says fatal firearm accidents for all age groups dropped 22 percent from 2000 to 2010. They now constitute less than 1 percent of all fatal accidents in the country. The U.S. Government Accountability Office said its study found approximately 31 percent of accidental deaths by firearms could have been prevented by safety devices.

Caddo Parish deputy Jim Dunn believes gun owners can’t have too much invested in safety with their firearms around the house, starting with locking the weapon.

“With gun ownership comes great responsibility,” Dunn said. “A lock isn’t going to keep a kid out of a gun because a kid will defeat the lock. We fix that by educating the child about gun safety and by taking the curiosity away.”

Dunn said everyone must evaluate their own safety situation within their home and their vehicle — who has access to firearms — because every situation will be different. The NRA recommends storing ammunition away from the firearm.

“People will say, ‘well, how am I gonna get to my gun if somebody breaks in?’ Front door locks and car door locks work,” Dunn said. “Keep the kids safe. Sheriff (Steve) Prator is very big on firearm safety education.”

The CPSO conducts a summer camp for kids, although the 2015 camp was canceled due to the flooding, and a kids’ “first gun” program is held before and after Christmas to orient youth on the proper use of their firearm.

Twitter: @JimmyWatson6

Project ChildSafe locks

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office is among the local participating agencies that have locks available for no charge by calling (318) 681-0875. Also listed on the Project ChildSafe site as having locks are the Bossier and Red River sheriff’s offices, the Greenwood, Haughton and Shreveport police departments, along with the office of State Parks in Doyline.

Preventing firearm injuries

■ Store guns in a securely locked case out of kids' reach. All firearms should be stored unloaded and in the uncocked position.

■ Store ammunition in a separate place and in a securely locked container.

■ Keep keys where kids can't find them.

■ Always use trigger locks or other childproof devices. Make revolvers childproof by attaching a padlock so that the cylinder can't be locked into place.

■ Always practice gun safety, and be sure to emphasize to kids that guns aren't toys and should never be played with.

■ Teach kids not to touch guns and tell an adult if they find one.

■ Take a firearm safety course to learn the safe and correct way to use your firearm.

■ Lock up gun-cleaning supplies, which are often poisonous.