Square One Mall promotes awareness of gun safety

[HerrGlock]

http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2008/06/21/news/news04.txt
Square One Mall promotes awareness of gun safety

By Chris Stevens / The Daily Item
SAUGUS - Ann Marie Crowell has been a mother on a mission for just more than 10 years but this weekend she is officially Mother on a Mission Inc. and pressing parents to ASK a simple question.

"I just want parents to ask, 'is there a gun in the house,'" Crowell said, who will be promoting National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day today at the Square One Mall.

The program is designed to push parents to ask if there is a gun in the house before allowing their child over to a house to play.

It was a question that Crowell wished she might have asked Christmas Eve 1997 when her son, Brian, headed over to his best friend's house.

Brian's buddy showed him a gun tucked between the clothes in his mother's dresser. Not realizing there was a bullet in the chamber he pointed the gun at Brian and pulled the trigger. The bullet caught Brian in the neck and despite hours of surgery he died on the operating table that night.

Since then Crowell has made it her personal mission to raise awareness of gun safety. As part of that she became a spokesman for PAX, Real Solutions for Gun Violence, the nation's largest non-political, non-profit organization promoting gun safety.
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Last summer she incorporated and formed her own non-profit, Mother on a Mission.

"I figured I've been a mother on a mission for 10 years," she said. "Now I'm promoting ASK Day."

Crowell is quick to say that ASK Day is not about asking people to get rid of guns. She has long said she does not want to be known as the gun control lady. that it is a person's choice to own a gun but it's also a responsibility.

"It's about how it is stored," she said.

According to PAX, more than 40 percent of homes with children have a gun and many of those are left unlocked or loaded.

"This campaign is very prevalent in New York and we're just trying to raise awareness here," she said.

Crowell along with Saugus Police Officer, and close family friend, Mike Stewart will man a table today from noon to 2 p.m. on the upper level of the mall near the food court.

Crowell said they will offer educational information on gun safety and National ASK Day.

"I will have a poster and I will try and get parents to make a pledge to ask before they send their kid off to play not only if there is a gun in the house but how it is stored," she said.

Crowell said the gun issue is so huge she is just hoping to be a little piece of it.

"I just want to raise awareness that this is a preventable accident," she said referring to her son's death. "I want to talk with moms and pops and grandparents and let them know this is a very preventable accident."

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[Dandapani]

None of your business.

[novaDAK]

Are there knives in the kitchen? Is there gasoline and wasp killer in the garage? Is there ammonia or bleach under the sink?

[Yrdawg]

33 @ last count.........does your kid have the discipline to obey rules ???

If you have confidence in your raising then send him on.......we're not keeping the toilet lid down so he won't play in that either.

Sorry for your loss mam, don't lean on my freedom and or rights, that won't fix what happened to you

Good things happen to bad people
Bad things happen to good people
Shi (things) happens

Do you ask if they had a speeding ticket in the last 5 yrs if they're driving to a movie ??

:steamed:

[MountainPacker]

Personally, I would not be offended if asked. I'd just answer. What they do with that information is their burdon.

[vafish]

.........does your kid have the discipline to obey rules ???



:steamed:


That's the most important question.

[Daryl in Az]

It's none of her business if there's a gun in my house.

If she doesn't want her kid around guns, then she can raise her kid in a bubble. Someday, somewhere, that kid's most likely going to encounter a firearm. When the kid does, it's better that they know how to handle the situation.

Ignorance is bliss, but it's not always safe.

Daryl

[BravoSix]

Since more "children" 0yrs-12yrs die from drowning, i sure hope that these parents would ask if there were any unsecure buckets, bathtubs, or swimming pools around before they let their children over to play. I am not making light of deaths caused by irresponsible gun owners, however there are more prevalent dangers out there that are not addressed, which to me makes no sense.

BravoSix out.

[Buckaroo]

Since more "children" 0yrs-12yrs die from drowning, i sure hope that these parents would ask if there were any unsecure buckets, bathtubs, or swimming pools around before they let their children over to play. I am not making light of deaths caused by irresponsible gun owners, however there are more prevalent dangers out there that are not addressed, which to me makes no sense.

BravoSix out.

Yea, I am a lot more concerned with the pool thing than the gun thing. When we moved recently we were sure of one think and that was No Pool!

They can ask and I will answer truthfully, if they don't want their kid at my house then that is Ok with me.

I am very sorry her son died in the manner he did but it was more about the other kids level of obedience than the fact that there was a gun in the house.

[Resqu2]

Quick story on why I don't think that is a bad question to ask, I don't have kids and I don't ever have any at the house except one time. Brother in law stopped by to pick up something, he has two kids one is a 5-6 yo boy who is into everything and they all came into the downstairs area where I don't have any guns. I was reading on GT and the wife was dealing with her brother and before I knew it or thought about it his kid had slipped upstairs.

Now for the scarry part, in my bedroom on the night stand is my G27, my Kimber is beside my bed on a low to the floor chest and my dresser has my G17 laying on it. It didn't cross my mind till later on but the wife got upstairs just a minute behind the little boy and nothing bad happened but it made me think of the what if's?

Now had the dad who knows that I own guns just ask if I had my guns up that his kid was coming in that would have not bothered me a bit and I would have thanked him for the reminder.

[emtp2rn]

Having a 6 year old and a 6 month old at home I would not be offended if someone asked me if I had guns in the house, or how they are stored. Because I have kids I keep them on me or in the safe. I would get pissed if I started getting an anti-gun lecture and would make sure that my kid didn't go to her house or vice versa.

I am conscious of where I let my 6 yo play in the neighborhood and there are two yards that are off limits due to pools. I've had to work a pediatric drowning they suck!!! Thank the lord I've never had to work a kid on kid shooting.

When kids to me are in those early years I accept the fact that if a kid is a guest in my house and the parents are not here that I have a responsibility to ensure their safety just as I do my sons. I also view the same responsibility of the parents of my childrens friends.

My son knows not to go near my safe, and if he knows I'm carrying he is not to say a word. I also know he is 6 years old and at times will forget the rules.

Part of being a good parent is knowing what dangers are out there and being a good steward to prevent those dangers from getting to our children. Because we shoot we teach our children to be safe around guns. Many people don't do that. With that said I'm still conscious of keeping the kid by my side if we go to someones house that I know keeps guns out laying around.

[blackjack]

Susie SoccerMom: "Do you keep guns in your home?"

Me: "Why? Is yours in the shop, do you need to borrow one for a while? Fine, come right in. Do you prefer auto or revolver?....Susie, are you OK? Do you need to sit down?"

Susie, obviously suffering from the vapors: "Do you mean to tell me you have more than one gun in this home?"

Me: "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to brag, just wanted to be a helpful neighbor, not trying to question you only having the one. Now, what is your preferred caliber?....Susie, do I need to get you a glass of water?"

Susie, now beet red: "No, I just need to get out of this, this, house of horrors, den of death and destruction..."

Me: "Oh, OK, I get it, you think I might only have those Glocks you hear about going Ka-Boom. Well, rest easy...Susie, you come on back over when you are feeling better and I'll show you this little Colt Detective Special with a real slick action -- hides real well in a purse, too."

:cool::whistling:

[dougader]

Whenever a parent fails to train their own children about safety issues and then something bad happens when their child makes the inevitable mistake... this is the kind of reaction we see.

I don't care if there are guns in a friend's house... just tell me you've trained your kids about the safety of firearms like I have mine. My daughter was still 3 when I bought her an airsoft Berreta and taught her gun safety. She used to ask to see my guns all the time. We'd go to the safe and pull out one at a time and handle them all safely (as if every one was loaded and dangerous). She handles her air gun the same way. Its impressive to see a youngster keep a 7-1/2" barreled 454 Ruger SRH pointed in a safe direction as she asks for help to open the cylinder to make sure its "safe."

The problem is not with the guns in the home. Its the problem of parents who stick their heads in the sand, pretend they live in Never Never Land, and fail to teach their kids about life.

Having testified before my share of gun control hearings in the Oregon legislature, I am amazed at people who have a problem with safety programs as innocuous as the Eddie Eagle gun safety program that the NRA produces for free.

Ann Marie Crowell would save more lives if she pushed for mandatory implementation of the Eddie Eagle program in public schools.

[kahrcarrier]

My guns are more important to me than a "visit" from your brat.

Next question?

[SIGSAREBETTER]

Crowell is quick to say that ASK Day is not about asking people to get rid of guns. She has long said she does not want to be known as the gun control lady. that it is a person's choice to own a gun but it's also a responsibility.

"It's about how it is stored," she said.

I don't have a problem with this...it's a reasonable thing, and not legislative in nature. Her family did suffer from a badly stored weapon and weapons not carried on one's person SHOULD be secured where children are present, particularly guest children.

[shotgunred]

yes i have a gun in the house.

i store it safely.

yes i understand have a nice life.

[tehan2]

my kids are 5 and 6 and are starting to have their friends come over. about 6 weeks ago one of the parents of one of my 6 years old's friends asked if there were guns in the house. (they know I hunt) I told her that her child will be safe while at my home. unless he knows the combination to my safe, has the same fingerprints as my wife and I, or has his hand in my pocket, that she has nothing to worry about.

she thanked me and dropped her child off, they played for a few hours, and then she picked him up. my children know the "rules" (we've watched eddie eagle's video a few times), but I still worry that at other's homes, someone elses kid doesn't know. It seems that our house is the place the kids come

[fgutie35]

Well maybe she should support or affiliate with the Eddie Eagle program, she will have better success and accomplish more on her cause. It is every bodies responsibility to store your guns in a safe place away from children weather you have spoil kids for visitors or not. Many of us have tough our own kids gun safety and what they should you if they see one, but we cannot rely on every parent to do the same and be reckless about storing our weapons. Brat or not, is a human being and someones' daughter or son. So let be more respectful about the subject.

[svilla]

sounds reasonable to me. Yes I have guns in the house. Yes they are stored safely.

[Aran]

I have guns in the house. They're not stored "properly", at least not often, and are often laying around loaded, where even a toddler could grab them.

There's also never anyone here but my fiancee and I, so I'm not the least bit concerned.

[edcrosbys]

Yes, I do have firearms in the house.
Would you like me to introduce you and your children to the safe use of them?

[aaronrkelly]

I honestly have NO problem when someone asks this question.

I answer honestly.

If they are interested in giving me a lecture....well, then we are done...Im not interested in hearing it, heres the door nice knowing you.

If they are interested because of safety concerns I will even go far enough to show them my weapons and how they are stored.

There is a difference......

[Timberwulf]

I don't have a problem with this...it's a reasonable thing, and not legislative in nature. Her family did suffer from a badly stored weapon and weapons not carried on one's person SHOULD be secured where children are present, particularly guest children.

Just remember, some people's idea of "secured" is completely disassembled with ammunition stored in another room.

After all, it's reasonable to require that you "secure" your firearms right? :upeyes:

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Is there a gun in the house?

Don't worry, they are loaded and ready for self-defense. But more importantly, does your kid know how to shoot safely?

[Thx-1138]

Don't worry, they are loaded and ready for self-defense. But more importantly, does your kid know how to shoot safely?

+1

.
.
.

[Cody Jarrett]

Yes I have a gun in the house.
Yes it is safely stored.
If you don't want your kid over here that's OK too, just don't lecture me about guns.

I have a friend who's a real gun enthusiast. He asks this question when his nine-year-old goes to a new house to play. He wants to make sure he isn't sending the kid to play at "idiot central." Only he doesn't ask if they have a gun. He only asks if the family guns are kid-safe.

[SIGSAREBETTER]

Just remember, some people's idea of "secured" is completely disassembled with ammunition stored in another room.

After all, it's reasonable to require that you "secure" your firearms right? :upeyes:


Hey, I understand you feel the intense desire to appear a zealous reactionary here, but how about stowing the attitude. :upeyes: right back at ya.

If kids are going to be in the house, any weapon not in your custody and control should be secured. Any reasonable person agrees. We're not talking about "some people's ideas" or Draconian laws and we never were.

[aaronrkelly]

Just remember, some people's idea of "secured" is completely disassembled with ammunition stored in another room.

After all, it's reasonable to require that you "secure" your firearms right? :upeyes:

I could care less if or how you secure your firearms....as long as your truthful about how they are stored I will do MY job as a parent and decide if your house is safe for my kids.

Same as with swimming pools, dogs etc.

Im not requiring you to do anything....if I dont like the way you do it then I will take care of it myself.

[Yellowfin]

I wonder what her reply would be to me saying "Uh, yeah, 6 in the house, two on me right now, and my wife has one of hers on her and one in the glove box. Oh, and then there's my younger brother when he comes over is usually carrying his, and our friends usually... By the way, what kind do you carry usually? You look like a Beretta type lady to me."

[aaronrkelly]

I wonder what her reply would be to me saying "Uh, yeah, 6 in the house, two on me right now, and my wife has one of hers on her and one in the glove box. Oh, and then there's my younger brother when he comes over is usually carrying his, and our friends usually... By the way, what kind do you carry usually? You look like a Beretta type lady to me."

She would probably say "Wow fin, you are totally awesome.....you rock"

:upeyes:

Crowell is quick to say that ASK Day is not about asking people to get rid of guns. She has long said she does not want to be known as the gun control lady. that it is a person's choice to own a gun but it's also a responsibility.

I see guns as objects.....tools.....recreation - nothing to hide. If we want guns to be mainstream and widely accepted we cant balk at issues such as these. All the sudden now everyone is "none of your damn business" - you cant have it both ways.

Would any of the people that took offense to the question be offended if I asked you if you have a swimming pool and if its got a fence around it to keep my 3 year old from drowning?

[WIG19]

Don't go with strangers, drown-proof your kids, hit 'em with Eddie Eagle while you're at it...
it's called parenting.

:patriot:

[Cody Jarrett]

Bad timing. From my local newspaper today.

Loaded firearm led to tragedy
Boy's rifle fell, killing friend

By John Sullivan
Times Herald-Record - June 25, 2008

Blooming Grove — The loaded rifle that killed 14-year-old Daniel Morgan hung on his best friends's bedroom wall because of a coyote that had been terrorizing the neighborhood.

Fears about the animal started a few weeks ago at Andy Schmick's house, when Andy's black and gray cat, Merlin, disappeared after a vicious fight with a wild animal one night. A week later, Andy's mom, Melissa Veraldo, spotted the coyote trying to break into their backyard, where the family kept ducks, she said.

It was not the kind of thing Andy, a budding hunter, outdoorsman and Junior ROTC member, took lightly.

Veraldo and Blooming Grove police agreed that what happened next was an accident.

Daniel was helping Andy move stuff around in Andy's room, when Andy bumped the wall, knocking the rifle off the wooden peg it was hanging on. Andy tried reaching for the gun as it fell, but the gun fired, shooting the bullet into Daniel's abdomen.

Blooming Grove Police Sgt. Kevin Turpin said the .30-30 Marlin was a legally purchased firearm in New York, which does not require licenses for rifles. Neither of Andy's parents knew their son had loaded it with a round, Turpin said.

The Orange County District Attorney's office will make a determination about charges, if any, the sergeant said. "As of right now, it appears as if it were just a tragic, tragic accident," he said.

According to their families, the two teens were best friends, who loved to camp, go fishing and ride four-wheelers through the woods. They lived around the corner from each other and took the same bus to school since kindergarten, when they had the same teacher.

Both were freshman at Washingtonville High School, where they both joined Junior ROTC. They spent a lot of time at each other's houses and with each other's families.

"That's why we feel that we lost a family member, as well," said Andy's mother.

Daniel's dad, Ray, said doctors at the Arden Hill campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Goshen provided a grim prognosis of their son's chances for survival, when he arrived by ambulance at the emergency room around 5:30 p.m. "All we could do was wait," Daniel's mom, Karen, said.

The couple described their only child as a rugged, outdoor type, who liked to camp even in cold weather. "He was goofy. He liked to joke. He liked to have fun," the father said.

Daniel died at approximately 9:15 p.m., after several hours of surgery. He would have turned 15 on Aug. 1.

Visitation and funeral arrangements will be made later in the week, Ray said.

The fight for Daniel's life began almost immediately after Andy's gun had fired. That's when Andy's older sister, Kaitlyn, 19, a Washingtonville senior and Army Reservist, rushed into the room. Kaitlyn put pressure on the wound and administered CPR until help arrived. "Unfortunately, she doesn't feel she'd done enough," her mother said.