Gun control is an issue that has made major headlines lately. With mass shootings and new laws being pushed through legislation, gun ownership is something that nearly every one of us has thought about.
For many families, the number one reason not to have a gun in the home is the presence of children. Having a gun, obviously, leads to the risk of accidental use that could cause fatal injury to a family member. The truth is, children—especially young ones—have no real way of grasping the finality of death and the weapons that cause it. This brings us to the question: should children be educated about guns?
Should Kids Be Educated About Guns?
The answer is not clear-cut. Every organization, from the NRA to the American Academy of Pediatrics, has differing views on the matter. Some believe not educating children about guns is irresponsible, while others argue it leads to more violence. Ultimately, the decision to educate your children about gun safety, use, and whether to have a gun in your home is a personal choice—just as personal as which church you attend or what foods you choose to feed your children.
Of course, it’s important to look at the facts. With so much controversy, it’s difficult to get an accurate picture of how guns affect violent situations involving children. According to Heidi Cifelli, the manager of the NRA’s Eddie Eagle Gun Safety program, gun education is essential. This program, which is mandatory in all Michigan elementary schools, teaches children in grades K through 6 to “Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult” when they see a gun.
The CDC reports that “while fewer kids are bringing guns to school, the rate of firearms deaths among children younger than 13 in the U.S. remains 25 times that of the other 25 industrialized nations combined.”
Opponents of gun education in schools argue that programs like Eddie Eagle, which are being proposed in many states, “glamorize guns by making them seem like something only adults can handle, similar to smoking or drinking.” They believe that telling children “no” and using scare tactics only heightens their curiosity about guns. Many parents share this view, feeling that having a gun in the home creates temptation, which can have deadly consequences.
One thing many parents fail to consider—especially those opposed to educating children about guns—is that they cannot be with their children 24/7. If parents never talk to their children about what to do if they encounter a gun, what happens when they are at a friend’s house or see another child with a firearm? Since it’s impossible to control a child’s environment all day, every day, many experts argue that gun education is necessary, especially in light of recent tragedies involving firearms.
The Children’s Defense Fund, a non-political agency that tracks violence-related data, reports the following:
“In 2008, 2,947 children and teens died from guns in the U.S., and 2,793 died in 2009—totaling 5,740 deaths over two years. That’s one child or teen every three hours, eight every day, and 55 every week. Six times as many children and teens—34,387—suffered nonfatal gun injuries in 2008 and 2009. That’s one child or teen every 31 minutes, 47 every day, and 331 children and teens every week.”
To get more comprehensive and detailed data about children and teens injured or killed by guns, check out the report here.
For families who own guns, the risk of suicide among young people increases by 17%. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that 89% of all teenage suicides could have been prevented had the family not owned a gun in the home, especially since teenagers can be irrational and spontaneous in their decisions. Similarly, the NRA believes that children who are educated about gun safety and shown the consequences of a gunshot wound are less likely to pick up a gun for deadly purposes. Unfortunately, these statistics are difficult to validate because most self-inflicted gunshot wounds result in fatalities.
In today’s world, the U.S. is bombarded with fear-mongering about mass shootings. We often wonder if a “good guy” with a gun could have prevented certain tragedies. This line of thinking seems to take us back to the days of the Wild West when a pistol hung from everyone’s belt loop. On the other hand, many believe keeping a gun in the home is the best way to protect ourselves and our property from intruders.
Many people argue that if guns and ammunition were less accessible, those with criminal or malicious intent might be less likely to carry out their plans. Amidst the confusion about whether or not to have a gun in the home, comes the question: is owning a gun and hiding it—or keeping it under lock and key—enough to keep children safe? Or does showing them how to use it properly make them more responsible with firearms? The truth is, no matter which way you look at it, there are no guarantees of safety when it comes to owning—or not owning—a firearm.
Politically and morally, this is a controversial issue where finding common ground is difficult. Most people feel strongly about gun ownership and its role in their families’ lives, and they don’t always turn to facts and figures to make their decisions. Instead, many rely on instincts and gut feelings.
FactCheck.org, a non-political fact-checking organization, released the following graphic in December 2012. In January 2013, the New York Times reported that every day in the U.S., “18 children and young adults between the ages of 1 and 24 die from gun-related injuries. This makes guns the second leading cause of death for young people—twice the number of deaths from cancer, five times the deaths from heart disease, and 15 times the deaths from infections.”
When you gather these statistics, it’s clear that gun issues are a significant factor for parents to consider regarding their children’s safety. Today, it’s common to educate our children about everything from drugs and alcohol abuse, bullying, and pre-marital sex, to gun control and racism.
Unfortunately, none of this education is making our children wiser when it comes to decision-making. Some might argue that exposing children to adult topics too early in life leads to risky behavior. This could lead to the conclusion that teaching kids about guns is a lost cause—or not. As the graphic from FactCheck.org says, “no single number can tell the whole story.” Parents must make the best decisions for their families.
What do you think? Should kids be educated about guns, or do you think it only worsens an obvious problem?
