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Knoxville experts explain safety training and education for firearms

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 firearms_safety

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Fourteen kids under 20 are killed because of guns nearly every day across the country, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

At Knoxville Gun Range, they teach kids with their parents about safety, responsibility and the gravity of using, as well as being around a firearm.

"It doesn't take but just a moment for an accident to occur,"
said Robbie Paskiewicz, the general manager of Knoxville Gun Range.

Paskiewicz showed the many protections responsible firearm owners should take. There are locked cases, holsters and locks that feed through the chamber or cylinder of a firearm. All new guns come with a cable-lock system.

"Lock it and they can't close it, therefore this gun cannot fire,"
said Paskiewicz.

While these are safety measures, Paskiewicz says another one is educating our children.

"Make sure that they know how to clear a firearm properly, make sure they know not to point it at anything they don't want to destroy, make sure that they're calling for help if they find a firearm,"
he said.

Courses specifically for kids are held at Knoxville Gun Range. They learn about what to do if they find a firearm at a home, outside or if someone takes one out around them.

"We make sure that we never point a loaded gun or an unloaded gun or any gun at someone for any reason. We treat all guns as though they're loaded,"
added Paskiewicz.

He says parents learn about storing their gun and ammunition safely and why it's important to practice these lessons regularly.

"They have an option to shoot as well if they want to and their parents want them to. If they understand what the gun is doing, in actual working condition, then they might understand that they should not point it at somebody else."

Training and teaching kids is a partnership, but the person who owns that firearm has the ultimate responsibility.

"Lock it up. Protect them. Protect yourself,"
said Paskiewicz.


There's still a responsibility for families who do not own a firearm, there's still a responsibility. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security suggests:


  • Talk with your kids about the risks, injuries and even death, if they come across a gun outside or where they play
  • Tell them about staying away from guns when they're visiting a friend's home
  • Speak with parents of your children's friends to see if they have firearms
  • If those families do have firearms, ask them to empty and lock them up