NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Safe Tennessee Project, which tracks accidental shootings in Tennessee, says the death of a three-year-old in Clarksville is the 13th such accident this year.
Beth Joslin Roth, Policy Director for the Safe Tennessee Project, says, “The shooting in Clarksville yesterday was the 13th incident of a child gaining access to a loaded firearm, discharging it, and injuring or killing themselves or someone else. It was the third fatality so far this year.”
Roth says parents should be asking adults and other parents if there are unlocked guns in the homes or places where their children visit.
“It’s so important for parents to just ask that simple question: Do you have unlocked firearms in your arms in your home?”
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, named for Jim Brady who was shot during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, spearheads the ASK campaign.
That stands for Asking Saves Kids. The campaign encourages parents to ask: Is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?
“This is your child’s life you’re talking about. It’s not in any way making a value judgement on a person if they have a guns,” explained Roth. “It’s perfectly fine to have guns. Responsible gun owners keep their guns locked up.”
She continued, “It’s a simple question, simple conversation, and it’s a question and a conversation that could save a child’s life.”