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Jed Boal ReportingEarly this month a Midvale toddler shot herself in the head with a gun she found in the home. The two-year-old will recover, but the accident highlights just how vigilant parents must be with children and firearms.
In recent years, Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 30 million free gunlocks throughout the country. Today, Midvale Police teamed up with the project to make their community safer for kids.
Never assume a child is too young to find and use a gun. A two-year-old did just that a few weeks ago and pulled the trigger. The bullet pieced her skin, but not her skull; police called it miraculous. That's the kind of firearm accident Project ChildSafe targets with free gunlocks.
Paul Turner, Project ChildSafe: "What makes this such a good gunlock is that the weapon has to be unloaded to install the lock."
Childsafe set up today at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Midvale. Everyone who needs a gunlock or wants one can get one free, funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. ChildSafe work with local police to promote safe and responsible storage of firearms in homes with children.
Officer Ken Davis, Midvale Police Department: "Keep them out of sight, locked up, and train the kids using them."
Shotguns, pistols, rifles--one size fits all.
Officer Ken Davis: "Just fits on through, and lock it up. As you notice on the pistols and rifles, it prevents the chamber from closing, so there's no way to fire it."
Childsafe gave away 7,500 gunlocks at the International Sportsman's Expo. Police say all guns should be locked up, no matter how young the children.
Officer Ken Davis: "Never too early, and you never know who might come visiting your house. It's one thing to teach your kids, but you've got to worry about visitors also."
If you miss a giveaway, contact your local police department and ask them where you can pick up a free gunlock.
