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Local News
Officers stress gun safety By Gina Childress | Daily Times Staff Writer Law enforcement officials are stressing gun safety in the wake of the accidental shooting death of 13-year-old Devonta Carpenter Saturday afternoon. When police responded to a "person being shot" call Saturday afternoon, they found Carpenter suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He died later that night at Wilson Medical Center as a result of his injuries. Police believe Carpenter found a gun in a closet, which was stored on the top shelf, and his mishandling of the firearm resulted in his death. Because of this tragedy, the Wilson Police Department is stressing the importance of gun safety, especially if children are in the home. Sgt. Steve Stroud with the Wilson Police Department says all guns should be stored in a separate place from the ammunition, behind a locked door. "Gun owners should be very mindful of how their firearms are stored," Stroud said. "Education about gun safety is key when it comes to gun ownership." According to The National Rifle Association, even families that don't own guns should be diligent about teaching their children about gun safety. "According to federal statistics, there are guns in approximately half of all U.S. households," said a statement on the NRA Web site. "Even if no one in your family owns a gun, chances are that someone you know does. Your child could come in contact with a gun at a neighbor's house, when playing with friends or under other circumstances outside your home. It is critical for a child to know what to do if he or she encounters a firearm anywhere, and it is the parents' responsibility to provide that training." The NRA recommends that no matter what a parent's opinion is regarding gun ownership, the following three things should be instilled in their children if they were to find or be presented with a gun: Don't touch, leave the area and immediately tell an adult. It is the sole responsibility of every gun owner to make sure their weapon is stored properly and safely, said Stroud. "I am more worried about my child getting a gun than I am about someone breaking into my home," he said. "I stress to people that you should not own a gun unless you respect it and can be extremely diligent about safety measures." "Remember, even guns that are thought to be unloaded can kill," said Stroud. Lt. Mark Sullivan of the Wilson Police Department said he agrees with Stroud that gun safety education is the key. "There are classes gun owners can take, as well as information that can be obtained through us or the Sheriff's Office," he said. Sullivan said that the police department has more than 2,000 gun locks ready to be given out to anyone who wants one. "All they have to do is come by here or go to the Sheriff's Department to get one," he said. "Having a lock on the gun is a small compromise as compared to the alternative." According to North Carolina General Statute 14-315.1, "Any person who resides in the same premises as a minor, owns or possesses a firearm, and stores or leaves the firearm (i) in a condition that the firearm can be discharged and (ii) in a manner that the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would be able to gain access to the firearm, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor." No decision has been made as to whether any charges will be filed against the family member who owned the gun that Carpenter gained access to in the accidental shooting. The results of the investigation will be submitted to the District Attorney's Office who will then make a decision. "The most important thing is to keep any firearm, whether loaded or not, out of the reach of any child, regardless of their age," Stroud said. gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821 ============================================================ GUN SAFETY TIPS AAA CAROLINAS asks motorists to plan ahead for safe driving: * Get your car checked before beginning your trip, especially checking fluids and tire pressure (see your owner's manual or the side of your tires for the recommended air pressure) Make sure you have a spare tire in the vehicle and that it is properly inflated. * Follow the rules of the road by not speeding, wearing your seatbelt and never driving while impaired. * Keep your headlights on - both day and night. It helps your car be more visible to other drivers. * Begin your trip well rested. Plan to start early in the day. * Add 15 minutes to every hour your trip typically takes to factor in time for added traffic. * Take a break every two hours or 150 miles. Stop the car, get some exercise and/or something to eat and drink. Use the rest stops or get out and walk around. * Minimize your distractions: * Plan your route before you begin the trip (i.e. map it out or set up GPS system) before you begin driving. * Keep children busy - make sure you have activities planned for them (i.e. books, Ipods, DVDs and movies, small games) * Use a cell phone only if really necessary and keep your conversation short. Pull over to the side of the road if you need to talk longer or get directions. * Stop driving when you're tired. Pay attention to your body clock. If you can't remember the last two miles or if your eyelids start to droop, take a break or stop for the day.
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