Ann Landers

Common-sense safety tips to keep guns out of little hands

DEAR ANN LANDERS: YOU RECENTLY PRINTED A LETTER FROM CHARLTON HESTON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, WHO SAID, "GUNS SHOULD BE STORED IN A PROPER GUN SAFE, OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN."

I want to thank you for helping to spread this important message of safety and responsibility.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there have been reports of an increase in the number of first-time gun buyers. In the week following the attacks, a 3-year-old boy lost his life after accidentally shooting himself with an unlocked gun, which his father had brought into the home to "protect" his family. Sadly, that same story is repeated almost every day in communities across America.

Our non-profit, non-partisan organization, "Common Sense About Kids and Guns," is dedicated to educating parents about how to protect their children from gun-related death and injury. We strongly urge adults to exercise caution and engage in an honest assessment of their own personal family situation before deciding to bring a gun into the home.

Do children live in or visit their home?

Does someone in the family abuse drugs or alcohol?

Is someone in the household depressed, or prone to violence or abuse?

A responsible adult cannot rely on children not to touch a gun merely because they have been warned against it. It is impossible to predict what children, teenagers and their friends will do, and the risks are too great to place the burden of responsibility on anyone other than the adult who brings a gun into the home.

"Common Sense About Kids and Guns" encourages adults to follow these six common sense safety steps.

All gun owners must:

1. Unload and lock up guns.

2. Lock and store ammunition separately.

3. Keep keys and combinations where kids are unable to find them.

All parents must:

1. Ask if guns are safely stored at places their kids visit or play.

2. Talk with their kids about guns.

3. Teach young children not to touch a gun and to tell an adult immediately if they find one.

The ultimate responsibility for safety is always on the adult, not on the child.

For additional information, your readers can contact us at www.kidsandguns.org, or call our toll-free number: (877) 955-KIDS or (877) 955-5437.

Thank you, Ann, for helping to spread this lifesaving message. -- Victoria Reggie Kennedy, President, Common Sense About Kids and Guns

DEAR VICTORIA REGGIE KENNEDY: THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE WORD TO SPREAD. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT MY READERS WILL PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. THE LIVES OF THEIR PRECIOUS CHILDREN COULD DEPEND ON IT.

Even the most cautious and observant parents must be reminded to keep an eye on their children and make sure they don't "find" a gun or a rifle on a shelf or in a closet -- and you know the rest. Children are curious and like to imitate what they see on TV and in the movies. Almost daily we read about the tragedies that resulted when a child "found" a loaded gun.

My best wishes to your husband, Senator Ted Kennedy. He has been on the front lines in every major battle involving gun control for the last 30 years, and we are lucky, indeed, to have him there. Please address letters to Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11995, Chicago, IL 60611.

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