Gun Safety - What Would Your Child Do?

What would happen if your child stumbled across a gun? Local police are involved with elementary schools across the tri-state to talk about just that. We wanted to know if kids take what they learn seriously. We put about a dozen kids to the test to find out what would happen if they found a gun in their back yard or at a playground. Statistics show nearly 500 kids are killed each year by guns. Officers say if they can lower that number by just one with their talks, its a success. Guns are everywhere, in stores, video games, and in movies. The dangers of real guns are often brushed off. Thats why officer Patrick Phernetton talks to elementary students three times a year to talk about gun safety. Afterwards we spoke with students to find out what they learned. Then we put them to the test. Kindergartener Lauren Dodson spotted the gun and stared for about 15 seconds, then, she bolted. Third grader, Nick Shelton, had a similar response, even protecting his younger sister before grabbing mom. These two were tested within the same week they had the class. But what happens when we test kids who didnt have officer burnetts advice fresh in their minds? It seems curiosity wins over. And although this young girl puts it back, others didnt. Some even pointed the gun at me as I went to explain. This curious little boy picks it up and plays with it and calls for his friend. It wasnt until a few minutes later, he showed an adult. James Phillips made his parents proud, he rode his bike by the gun, then quickly pointed it out. Officers advise parents to talk to their kids of all ages about guns and gun safety. They say if you have a gun in your home, it might be a good idea to show your children safe ways to handle the gun to take some of that curiosity away.