Gun Safety Advocates: Time for Change after Accidental Shooting Injures Kansas City Child
Kansas City, MO — An alarming case in Kansas City where a child under five was critically injured in a self-inflicted, accidental shooting on Saturday night has ignited strong reactions from gun safety advocates who are calling for immediate action.
Increasing Frustration Amidst Persistent Gun Accidents
Judy Sherry, founder and president of a prominent local gun safety advocacy group expressed her anguish, stating, “I’m horrified, I’m sad, and I’m really mad. There really is no reason on Earth that a 5-year-old child should have access to a loaded gun; there’s just none.” She also pointed out that the issue of accidental shootings is not receiving the attention it deserves.
“Homicide rates are down, so we know that it’s the accidents,” Sherry added. Despite the reduction in homicide rates compared to the same period last year, Sherry warns this should not lull us into complacency regarding other forms of violence. “Too many people have access to guns with not a lot of knowledge or care about them,” Sherry cautioned.
Working Towards Safety and Education
LaTasha Jacobs, a certified conceal and carry instructor in both Missouri and Kansas, is actively working towards bridging the gap between gun ownership and safety education. After becoming certified to ensure her own safety, Jacobs saw a pressing need for more diversity and representation in gun safety education. She consequently decided to start training others on how to use guns safely. So far, she has trained over 200 families.
“[I want] to continue to educate our community — the urban core — who is most affected by gun violence but the least educated,” Jacobs shared. According to her observation, there is a lack of transparency in communities regarding the impact of gun violence and the importance of receiving adequate training.
Transparency and Responsibility: The Path to Safe Gun Ownership
Both Jacobs and Sherry believe that open conversations about safety and responsibility are key to preventing such tragedies. Jacobs mentions the importance of having “those conversations that are very uncomfortable, no one really wants to have them, but unfortunately, in our community, we have to, and we have to have them a lot earlier than what we were used to.”
Ultimately, both advocates agree that the responsibility of ensuring gun safety falls to adults. Citing transparency as the first step, both insist on the need for parents, grandparents, or any guardian to be responsible gun owners. They highlight the need for storing firearms safely, away from the reach of children. “You just lock it up or put it in a safe, you have to. It’s that simple,” Sherry urged.
Child’s Condition Still Critical
As of Monday night, the boy involved in the Saturday night incident is reported to still be in critical condition. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the potential risks associated with firearms, especially when they become accessible to children.
