US leads the world in child gun deaths: Officials stress importance of gun education

DAGSBORO, Del. – According to a newly released report by the New England Journal of Medicine, death by gunshot was the second highest cause of death in adolescents ranging from 1 to 19 years in the United States in 2016.

“It’s a shame. It didn’t have to happen. It does not have to happen,” said M & L Guns owner Mark Derrickson.

The study showed an increase in adolescent deaths by both homicide and suicide, while accidental deaths remained the same. But these incidents are all too familiar here on the eastern shore where just on Thursday a 19-year-old was accidentally shot in the neck in Princess Anne after he and his friends were seen passing around a handgun.

“They pull that trigger , they don’t know where the safety is, the safety’s not in it or whatever and they’re fooling around and they pull hat trigger, somebody’s dead,” said Derrickson.

That’s why firearm officials say it’s so important for people of all ages to become educated about guns. Like remembering to never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot and to keep your finger off the trigger. While also keeping your gun in a safe and secure place.

“There’s all too many injuries where kids are picking up handguns underneath of pillows, and things like that and shooting one another,” said Derrickson.

Some firearm officials say one way that could help combat this issue is by educating and exposing kids to guns at an early age like taking them to shooting ranges.

“When it’s not something new, when it’s not something foreign, the kids have a lot less likelihood for then to be curious themselves if you’ve already removed the curiosity from it,” said Delmarva Law Enforcement Supply, Inc. owner Stuart Jones.

And while officials add that we might not be able to prevent every firearm death they say educating the public is at least a step in the right direction.

“Please get some training on it and know what your dealing with. Knowing that it is a lethal weapon and that it can take a life,” said Derrickson.

Officials add that if you want to become more educated about your firearm you can simply head to your local gun store where a professional will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.