JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Accidental shootings from unsecured firearms are one of the leading causes of unintentional death among children and teens, according to the CDC, and as summer unfolds, experts emphasize the importance of parents taking proactive measures to ensure their children’s safety.
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News4JAX spoke with Tom Hackney, a crime and safety analyst, about what parents should know and ask regarding firearm safety.
In a split second, tragedy can strike. For children and teens ages 1 to 17, shootings from unsecured firearms are a significant concern, as highlighted by a 2023 CDC study.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised at all by that,” Hackney remarked when asked about the prevalence of accidental shootings.
Hackney points out that this issue is alarmingly common, saying, “The careless handling of firearms by owners is just inexcusable and so preventable.”
Just weeks ago, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to an accidental shooting involving a child where a man was found with a gunshot wound outside a daycare center on Dunn Avenue, underscoring the urgency of this issue.
This incident occurred nearly two months after a tragic event involving a 2-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself on Calvary Drive in the Wesconnett area of the Westside, leading to his death.
“The bottom line is, if you own a firearm, whether in your home or in your car, you have the responsibility to ensure it is secured,” Hackney emphasized. “That responsibility is even greater when you have little ones.”
Securing firearms is just the first step, Hackney advises. Parents should also engage in conversations about gun safety with their children and loved ones.
“The biggest thing is having a conversation with kids about not handling firearms,” he said. “You can have your house as secure as can be, but if they go to a relative’s house or a sleepover, those are considerations you need to have as well. It’s the other side of that coin.”
For those needing assistance with securing firearms, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office offers free gun locks at all six of its substations, which are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
