LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence a public health crisis earlier this week.
Officials and citizens in Laurel County believe it is important to promote gun safety to those in their community.
“Generally parents should go ahead and leave their guns locked up in a safe. Most important in my opinion and in most people’s opinions is the education part. Typically, they don’t understand the consequences that are involved in handling a firearm,” said Brentley Patrick with the Corbin Police Department.
Jessie Williams is the manager of Center Target Firearms and Indoor Range in Laurel County and says safety is the first priority.
“Whenever I purchased a new firearm or I was issued a new firearm, I would let my children look at it…I would answer their questions. I could go store it and put it up and they were done with the curiosity part of it. Because I was worried if I take it and hide it from them, they’re going to look for it when I’m not around,” said Williams.
Officials say it is important to have a lockbox or specialty lock for your firearms.
They also recommend if you have children in the home to let them attend training sessions with you.
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