LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Central Arkansas has seen multiple incidents this week involving juveniles mishandling or illegally using firearms, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is reminding families that preventing tragedies starts with responsible gun storage and firearm education.
The renewed message comes after a 7-year-old was shot and killed Tuesday in what investigators called an accidental shooting after someone left a loaded firearm unattended inside a home.
“It’s tragic, you know anytime someone dies by gun, especially a child, it’s a tragic situation,” Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Trey Reid said.
Reid said adults should securely store firearms to keep them out of children’s hands.
“We need to keep guns either in a locked safe, or have a locking mechanism on the trigger where it can’t be used,” Reid said.
While some gun safes can cost a lot, Reid said affordable options exist, including smaller safes and trigger locks.
He said safely storing firearms is only one part of preventing accidents. Parents should also talk with children about firearms and teach them how to respond if they encounter one.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working with the Arkansas Department of Education to implement firearm awareness training in public schools across the state. Reid said the program aims to educate students about what firearms are, how they should be handled and the legitimate purposes they can serve, rather than to frighten children.
“Yes, a gun is a deadly tool, but there are practical uses for guns as well,” Reid said.
Until the program becomes more widely available, Reid said parents remain the first line of defense.
“Educate your children about firearms. If you have them in the home let them know what they are … what they do,” Reid said.
Reid said he hopes firearm awareness training will begin in Arkansas public schools as soon as this fall.