New PSA raises gun safety awareness

Posted By: Bayley Bischof 

bbischof@klkntv.com 

"Every year in the US nearly 300 children age 17 and under gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else…"

"Nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun."

These quotes come from a recent public service announcement released by the City of Lincoln.

The Lincoln Police Department, Be Smart for Kids, Suicide Prevention Coalition and Big Shots Indoor Range teamed up to raise awareness about gun security, with the goal of reducing the number of children and teens needlessly killed by firearms.

James Clark, with Big Shots Indoor Range said anytime a gun is brought into a home, it should be locked-up.

“By restricting access we’re going to eliminate or at least reduce the chance for an accidental discharge, possibly a child bringing a gun to school or shooting themselves or somebody else,” Clark said.

The PSA outlines five preventative steps you can take.

"Secure all guns in your home or vehicles, model responsible behaviors around firearms, ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes, recognize the risk of teen suicide and tell your peers to be smart."

Clark said securing firearms can be as easy as a $10 trigger lock and a few seconds.

Or you could get lock–boxes that can be kept in vehicles, or safes that can go in your home.

He says with all of the options, there’s no excuse.

"It’s ridiculous if you don’t."

Visit Big Shot’s website to learn more: http://store.bigshotsrange.com/