Guns are now the third-leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 17 in West Virginia, highlighting urgent concerns over firearm safety in homes. Recent incidents, like a three-year-old’s critical injury from a left-accessible gun, point to a troubling trend of improper firearm storage, according to West Virginia State Trooper Isaiah Harmon. He stresses that simply locking guns in a case is insufficient if children can still access them and advocates for the use of secure safes to eliminate this risk.
Furthermore, Trooper Harmon emphasizes the need for proactive education about gun safety. Families are encouraged not only to secure firearms but also to teach children how to respond if they come across a gun. This includes instilling awareness and providing guidelines on how to handle such situations safely, as even non-lethal options like BB guns can pose serious dangers. In West Virginia, firearm owners may face liability if children gain access to improperly stored guns, underscoring the importance of responsible firearm management.
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