#NotAnAccident Index Reveals There Have Been at Least 180 Unintentional Shootings by Children Nationwide This Year, Resulting in 75 Deaths and 108 Injuries
Moms Demand Action’s Be SMART Program Outlines Steps Adults Can Take to Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Children
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following statement in response to reports that three children unintentionally shot themselves in separate incidents across Memphis over the past three days. Two children died from their injuries. The third child is currently in critical condition.
In response to the shootings, local police urged people to responsibly store their guns. Adults, gun owners and non-gun owners alike can help prevent unintentional shootings by children by following the steps laid out in Moms Demand Action’s Be SMART program.
STATEMENT FROM KAT MCRITCHIE, VOLUNTEER WITH THE TENNESSEE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Over the past three days, three children in Memphis unintentionally shot themselves, two fatally. My heart goes out to the families that have been touched by this violence.
“Unintentional shootings by children happen far too often in our communities. Already this year, at least 12 kids in Tennessee have unintentionally shot themselves or someone else, resulting in five fatalities. This isn’t acceptable or normal. Tennessee has seen more unintentional shootings by children this year than all but two other states. Tennessee has already seen more of these incidents this year than in all of 2016.
“Responsible gun storage can prevent tragedies like these ones. As the Memphis police have recently reinforced, it is up to adults in our community to ensure that guns are stored properly and kept out of the hands of kids. The Moms Demand Action Be SMART program introduces five easy steps we can all take to ensure guns are stored responsibly and kids are protected.”