Less than a month after two separate gun accidents that killed a 6-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy, San Antonio police Chief William McManus implored parents and gun owners to secure their firearms.
"This campaign isn't about gun control, it's about gun safety," said McManus, a father of three young children. "Don't hide it in your sock drawer, don't stick it under a cushion on the sofa."
McManus recommended buying a gun safe, putting a trigger lock on the firearm or separating the gun from the ammo and locking both up.
"The safest route to take is lock it, put it under lock, trigger locking," he said. "You can buy a gun safe at any sporting goods store. Buy that gun safe. Don't be that person where you're on the news because your child got a hold of your firearm and hurt themselves with it."
Under Texas law, a person can be held criminally liable when a child gains access to a firearm because it was negligently stored.
No one has been charged in the death of Jennilynn Montana, but police say the investigation continues. The little girl never graduated kindergarten. On May 18, while playing with a gun in her eastside home, she was shot in the face and died.
Approximately 1.7 million children in the U.S. live in a home with a loaded or unlocked gun, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Kids are very curious. I don't think parents think about that. They are very curious to touch a weapon," said Sherry Gomez, Child Protective Services regional director.
As summer begins and children are at home more often, Gomez offered a message and question for parents: "What is your safety plan?"
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