Our youth need to learn the vitals of firearm safety

Almost one child gains access to a loaded firearm and unintentionally shoots themself or someone else every day in America, according to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. Research shows the two age groups most likely to unintentionally shoot themselves or others are high schoolers between the ages of 14 and 17, followed by preschoolers age 5 and younger.

Most U.S. children who die in accidental shootings are playing with guns or mistake them for toys, according to a June study published in Injury Epidemiology, a scientific journal. In more than 40 percent of cases, the children involved were 2 to 4 years old.

With about 40 percent of U.S. adults reporting they live in a home with firearms, it's clear home gun safety and firearms education are crucial.

Even if you live in a household without guns, youth firearms safety education is vital because your child could visit a friend's home where guns are stored. Children ought to be taught not to touch guns, but parents and guardians should not rely on little ones always being able to resist temptation. That's why proper storage is essential to the prevention of unintentional shootings.

Firearms should be unloaded and secured with either a locking device or stored in a locked cabinet, safe or box. Ammunition should be stored in a separate locked container. Keys or access codes should be stored where children can't access them.

Those who want their children to enjoy the sport of hunting have an even greater responsibility to instruct minors in gun safety.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries offers hunter education courses for those 10 years of age and older. Courses are offered both in classrooms around the state and online.

Here's a list of firearm safety rules that are appropriate for all age groups:

Watch the muzzle. Keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times.

Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded gun. It might be loaded, even if you think it isn't.

Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt. Make sure you have an adequate backstop—don't shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.

Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. This is the best way to prevent an accidental discharge.

Check your barrel and ammunition. Make sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm.

Unload firearms when not in use. Leave actions open; carry firearms in cases and unloaded to and from the shooting area.

Point a firearm only at something you intend to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with a gun.

Don't run, jump or climb with a loaded firearm. Unload a firearm before you climb a fence or tree or jump a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by the butt, not the muzzle.

Store firearms and ammunition separately and safely. Store each in secured locations beyond the reach of children and careless adults.

Avoid alcoholic beverages before or during shooting. Also avoid mind- or behavior-altering medicines or drugs.

Abiding by these guidelines will go a long way to prevent needless heartache.

For more information on ThinkFirst of the Ark-La-Tex, log on to www.thinkfirstlouisiana.org, call 318-226-0066 or check out www.facebook.com/arklatexthinkfirst, www.instagram.com/ thinkfirst_arklatex or www.tiktok.com/@thinkfirstarklatex.

Hunter education info

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hunter education courses at https:// www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/hunterand-trapper-education.