‘Right to carry, duty to secure:’ Messages of firearm safety after accidental shooting death of Lehi boy
Sep 4, 2024, 5:00 AM
Cunningham shows the different types of gun safety tools that can be used. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — In the wake of the tragic death of an 8-year-old boy in Lehi from an accidental gunshot wound to the head, firearm experts are reminding Utahns to secure their firearms.
The boy’s death follows two other accidental shootings involving children in Utah in recent weeks.
The Park City Police Department released a PSA on Facebook Tuesday where basketball star Shaquille O’Neal lends his voice to a nationwide gun safety campaign to prevent guns being stolen from cars often used to perpetrate violent crimes.
“Take it from Shaq. You may have the right to carry. But you have a duty to secure your firearms,” the post said.
While the video focuses on guns stolen from cars, the message of safe storage was echoed by Raelle Cunningham, a Utah firearms instructor who also runs the Utah chapter of Women for Gun Rights.
“If you’re going to have a firearm in your home with your children, you need to be responsible,” Cunningham said. “It’s all about education, educating your children, getting education for yourself.”
Researchers said that the simple one-minute video published last year by Ohio State University can help.
According to their study, kids ages 8-12 who watched the video were less likely to play with or touch guns, were likely to pull the trigger – and were more likely to tell an adult if they came across one.
Cunningham said with her own kids, whenever they want to go shooting or touch a gun, they find a way.
“When children don’t have that opportunity, it’s something they’re curious about, and then it’s kind of like taboo. And so then they want to do it,” she said.
