Guns in the home pose a serious risk

The recent murder of a 10-year-old Chicago boy, Arthur Jones, is another tragic example of how guns in the hands of youth can lead to a senseless death. Law enforcement officials have confirmed that 17-year-old Steven McCaskill took the gun that killed Arthur Jones on Oct. 17 from his grandmother's home that day.

This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all adults who keep guns in the home that are accessible to children and teenagers. Far too often guns are being taken from a home and being used on our streets and in our schools.

Parents, grandparents and guardians need to take responsibility for what's happening before more children like Arthur Jones become victims of gun violence.

One way for adults to protect our children from gun violence is to simply not bring firearms into the home. A firearm in the home is more likely to be used in a suicide or be used in an unintentional shooting than to be used in self-defense. Earlier this month a 4-year-old boy on the west side of Chicago accidentally shot himself in the head with a gun that was in the house loaded and unlocked.

If an adult does choose to bring a gun in a home where there are children, they should keep that gun unloaded and inaccessible.

Thomas Mannard

Executive Director

Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence

Chicago