A gun, found by a child, can change lives forever in just a few moments. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds families to ask other parents if there is an unlocked
gun in the home where their child is going to play.
Making sure guns are stored safely is especially important when school is out, and children are spending more time at home. This means
locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored separately.
About one-third of homes with kids have guns, many left unlocked or loaded. Just talking to your child about the dangers of firearms is not enough. Children are naturally curious. If a gun is accessible in someone's home, there is a good chance a child will find it and play with it. Countless tragedies have occurred when kids found guns that parents thought were well hidden or safely stored.
The AAP remains committed to reducing gun injuries to children, and advocates for stronger gun laws, comprehensive access to mental health care, and necessary funding for federal gun violence research and prevention efforts.
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