During 1992, 1,400 people in the United States died in firearm-related accidents. Half of those incidents occurred in homes.
In Utah, 39 people under age 20 died in 1992 from gunshot wounds, according to the Utah Safety Council. Many adults buy a handgun to protect themselves, but the firearm often harms those it was intended to protect.The Utah Safety Council has offered these "Firearm Safety Checklist" tips to help prevent a tragic accident:
- Keep all firearms in the home unloaded.
- Store firearms out of sight of casual visitors and inaccessible to children.
- Always carefully check guns to make certain they are unloaded before further handling.
- Lock up all guns or equip with trigger locks.
- Lock all ammunition in a location separate from firearms and away from sources of heat and electricity.
- When handling a firearm, always point the muzzle in a safe direction and prohibit horseplay.