State has given out thousands of free trigger locks, hundreds of gun safe rebates
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Two children under the age of ten accidentally shot themselves in Utah Thursday. One 3-year-old in Murray, and a 9-year-old in Brigham City.
Both kids are in stable condition. Though two of these shootings occurred in one day, data from the state department of Health shows these incidents aren’t very common. According to the department of health, 87% of gun deaths in the state are suicides. Less than 1% are accidental.
Rep. Steve Eliason's (R - District 45) bill, H.B. 17, passed last year, and created funding for free trigger locks, and coupons for gun safes.
Eliason said,
The past few years, we've given out over 300,000 trigger locks. And in the data, we're actually seeing it start to make a difference.
Eliason said the recent accidental shootings have been tragic, but in Utah, teen suicides using firearms happen far more often.
We have those types of incidents with self-inflicted injuries with youth happening typically multiple times a month, so it is actually a far bigger issue, intentional use of a firearm vs. unintentional use of a firearm.
Part of Eliason's bill did create a public awareness campaign. It required people getting their concealed carry permit to watch this video on firearm suicide prevention:
We asked if he could see the state passing a bill that would require secure storage in the future, but Eliason didn’t see criminalizing unsafe storage as an effective tool to curb these deaths and injuries.
"I think if we can get the word out, it eliminates the need to criminalize not properly securing a firearm," Eliason said.
The bill currently on the hill would give prosecutors and judges an option to charge someone with a misdemeanor in the event that a child was injured or killed by an unsecured firearm.
A bill that would create an option to charge someone with a misdemeanor when a child is hurt or killed by an unsafe firearm failed to reach approval last year.
The revised bill returned this legislative session. The new bill would not create an automatic penalty, but an option judged on a case by case basis.
Clark Aposhian, with the Utah Shooting Sports Council, however, questions the focus of them. He said any loss of life is a concern, and he is even part of the firearm suicide prevention training video the state released. But, Aposhian says other items found in the home lead to far more injuries and deaths.
Aposhian said:
What harms our little kids- the lowest item on that list is firearms. It is more likely to be poison, burns, choking, falls.
For those interested in the state rebate program for gun safes, you can email saferebate@utah.gov and requests for trigger locks can be sent to utahsuicidepreventioncoalition@gmail.com.
If you need help, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
