SAFER SCHOOLS NEWS-VOL. 3

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
What should you do, if you know a student is carrying a hand gun

Gun Violence Prevention

One of the most frightening situations we face is the growing number of children that use guns against children, on purpose or by accident.

Each day 16 children are killed in a gun related accident, homicide, suicide or unintentional shooting.  For ever young person who dies from a gunshot, ten more are seriously wounded, disfigured or permanently disabled.  An estimated 1.2 million elementary-aged children have access to guns in their homes.  Even though you may not keep a gun at home, chances are that some parents or relative of your child’s friends may.

We are not saying that guns are the problem…the problem is a lack of education and the proper care of guns.  The one using the gun improperly is our concern.  Although, parents play an important role in teaching children about the dangers of guns.  Children are not always aware how dangerous guns are.

Below is a teaching tool that parents, teachers, or anyone concerned with gun violence prevention can use to help students understand how dangerous guns are.

Tommy showed his friend John the gun he had brought to school.

John, look at my gun!

“Where did you get it?” asked John

“My dad keeps it in his night stand” said Tommy, “This will teach those guys, they can’t bully me!“

“Are you going to shoot them?” said John.

“No, I’m just going to scare those guys silly.“

“A gun is dangerous.  You could get in big trouble,” said John.

What should John do? 
What would you do?

If someone brings a gun to school or the playground to scare people, it could go off by accident.  The person may not mean to hurt you or your friends, but accidents do happen.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

• Leave the area they are in as soon as possible (this will give you the best chance of not being hurt if the gun goes off by accident).
• Tell a trusted adult (An adult will keep you safe).
  

• Never try to take the gun from the person (the gun could be loaded and you might be accidentally shot).

Learn more:  FREE Knowledge Base Center (Student Center)

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Gun Statistics vs. Others:

• According to the FBI, the total number of gun related deaths of all ages in 2011 was 8,583, 2010 was 8,775.  The total number of gun deaths for 2006 was 10,225, for 2007 was 10,129, and for 2005 it was 10,158.  Numbers are much lower for children and teens.
  • These numbers can seem high. Although, when compared with other types of death — like car accidents, and/or the reckless and intentionally-fatal uses of an automobile — the gun death numbers literally pale in comparison.
• According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of deaths related to automobiles in 2009 was 34,485.
  • More people died via automobiles in 2009 alone than died in gun-related deaths for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 combined.
• According to the CDC, more people died from falls in 2009 alone than died in gun-related deaths for the years 2009, 2010, and most of 2011 combined.
  • Total number of deaths via falls in 2009 was 24,792.
• According to the FBI, in 2011, there were 323 murders committed with a rifle but 496 murders committed with hammers and clubs.
• Another interesting fact: According to the FBI, nearly twice as many people in 2009 were killed by hands and fists each year than were killed by murderers who use rifles.

If you have any comments or questions please Email us at keys@keystosaferschools.com.