Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is this group involved in gun issues?
- I understand about accidental shootings with kids, but what's this business about teens and suicide? If someone wants to kill himself or herself, locking up a gun isn't going to stop them. They'll just find another way, right?
- Even if I put my gun in one of those metal boxes it won't keep a thief from using a crowbar or some other tool to rip it out of my floor and carry it off.
- I don't have any kids, so why do I need to worry about this?
- The number of kids who are hurt from guns due to accidents is very small.
- I keep most of my guns locked up, but I keep one gun either on my person or handy for personal protection purposes. What good does it do me if I lock it up?
- These lock boxes are expensive -- why should I spend that kind of money when I already keep my firearm out of sight and away from kids?
- If you are telling people who have guns for personal protection to buy and use a lockbox, aren't you going to encourage them to place a loaded gun in the box?
If it accidentally fires while in the box, won't the bullet come through the box and hurt or kill someone? Isn't it better to tell people to lock up their unloaded guns and then lock up their ammunition separately? - I've taught my kids about guns from the time they could barely walk. They know that all they have to do is ask me and I'll let them touch it. I've taken them to the range and they know about firearm safety. If parents teach their kids responsible firearm handling you don't need all this other stuff.
- I'm confused by all the different products in the stores. Which one should I buy?
Why is this committee involved in gun issues?
We know from research that the easy availability of firearms in a community is a risk factor for firearm-related death and injury.
Guns are stolen and used in other crimes, teens commit suicide with household guns, children are injured or killed accidentally from guns that are loaded or unlocked in the home, students who do carry guns to school may get them from home.
As state and local health departments and community hospitals, we care about issues that affect public health. For example, firearm-related death is second only to motor-vehicles as the leading cause of death from injury.
Reducing the number of firearm injuries this will contribute to the overall health of Washington State. Public health works to keep people safe and healthy.
Before there were childproof medicine containers, we encouraged people to keep medicines and other dangerous substances out of the reach of their children. We still work to keep home environments safe by identifying dangers such as lead paint, encouraging people to check their smoke detectors and identifying other safety risks to children.
This campaign is very similar and is in keeping with the mission of public health.
I understand about accidental shootings with kids, but what's this business about teens and suicide? If someone wants to kill themselves, locking up a gun isn't going to stop them. They'll just find another way, right?
More than half of the suicides in our state are completed with firearms.
When adults try to commit suicide they are often more determined, and simply removing the means may not prevent them from killing themselves. But teens are different. Sure, some will find a way to kill themselves anyway, but many teen suicides are impulsive and not well thought out.
It is a stressful time of life and being ridiculed at school, or breaking up with a girlfriend may push them over the edge for a brief moment. But the mood doesn't always last. If we can delay teens from hurting themselves, we buy them precious time. Time for their mood to shift, or someone to come home, or a friend to call or come over.
A recent study of teen suicides showed that more than half were committed with guns from their own home.
View recent youth suicide statistics for Washington State.
Even if I put my gun in one of those metal boxes it won't keep a thief from using a crowbar or some other tool to rip it out of my floor and carry it off.
A steel front door, a high fence, deadbolts, a ferocious dog, none of these is a guarantee against theft. But we know that most thieves are interested in what they can grab easily in a hurry. They want to get out with before being seen or caught.
Very few are going to spend even 10 minutes trying to break into a steel box that is bolted to the floor or wall.
I don't have any kids, so why do I need to worry about this?
You may not have as much risk as someone with young children in the home. But do kids ever visit your house? If so, there is a risk.
Even if children never visit your home, if you leave your gun out in the open you are ripe for having it stolen.
The number of kids who are hurt from guns due to accidents is very small. Why aren't you focusing on more important issues like dealing with (fill in the blank) gangs, drug dealers etc.?
The number of children (under 19) who are accidentally shot each year in Washington is small, (161 over the past five years), but it is a horrible tragedy when it does happen and one that doesn't need to happen at all.
State and local health departments and community hospitals can help to support the community to deal with gangs, drug dealers or other issues but this is primarily the role of law enforcement.
There is no single action that we can take that will stop all firearm injuries, but safely storing household firearms would result in fewer gun deaths and injuries.
Our committee works to make a difference where we can and this is one of those places where each person who owns a gun can make a difference by locking and storing their firearm safely.
I keep most of my guns locked up, but I keep one gun either on my person or handy for personal protection purposes. What good does it do me if I lock it up?
This is one reason why we recommend the push-button lock boxes. You can access your gun in about three seconds.
These lock boxes are expensive -- why should I spend that kind of money when I already keep my firearm out of sight and away from kids?
There are ways to lock up your gun other than lock boxes. Cable locks cost less than $10. You only need a fast acting lock box if you believe you need to be able to get your gun in a hurry and you want to protect your firearm from residential theft.
Most new handguns cost $300 or more. The fast acting boxes are less expensive, but are a potentially life-saving investment, and are a small percentage of the cost of a firearm.
If you are telling people who have guns for personal protection to buy and use a lockbox, aren't you going to encourage them to place a loaded gun in the box? If it accidentally fires while in the box, won't the bullet come through the box and hurt or kill someone? Isn't it better to tell people to lock up their unloaded guns and then lock up their ammunition separately, as public health has been doing for years?
It is ideal and preferable to store firearms locked and unloaded with ammunition stored separately. The ability of a bullet to pass through the box and injure someone would depend on the material that the box was made of and the power of the ammunition in the gun.
Most new handguns are designed so that they are unlikely to fire if they are dropped or bumped. The use of a lock box may result in some loaded firearms being placed in the box.
However, a locked firearm is safer than an unlocked firearm available to children and others.
I've taught my kids about guns and gun safety. They know that all they have to do is ask me about it and I'll let them touch it. I've taken them to the range and they know about firearm safety. Teaching kids responsible firearm handling is the best way to keep your kids safe.
Teaching children about the dangers of firearms and how to behave around them is very important. However, children and teens are still developing mentally and may not truly understand that playing with a gun could have lasting, tragic consequences.
Furthermore, emotionally distressed teens often act impetuously. When firearms are involved an impulsive cry for help is usually fatal.
A study with young children found that even children who went through an intensive three-day training about the dangers of guns and were repeatedly told not to touch them could not resist. In this filmed study, researchers saw that as soon as the teacher left the room, the kids found (unloaded) guns that had been hidden in the classroom and began playing with them.
Locking and storing guns safely keeps them out of the hands children who may visit your home. Safe storage also prevents your guns from being stolen.
I'm confused by all the different products in the stores. Which one should I buy?
There are several different ways to lock up or store your gun. Most products fall into one of three categories: boxes or small safes, trigger locks, and cable-type locks.
Each type of locking device has advantages and disadvantages and should be chosen according to your personal needs. View the different kinds of locks that are available on our locks page.
No matter which security device you choose, ensure that it meets the California Department of Justice safety standards. Check the Approved Firearms Safety Devices web site for a list of approved firearm safety devices.