Gun Safety

I was talking to a friend about what had happened to Trent Lockett, the son of Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett. Such a waste. Such a bad time to lose a son, as if there is ever a good time. It's a sad story and I would like to never hear it happen again. But I will. From what I heard, Trent was teaching his little brother how to "quick-draw" his new pistol. He had taken the magazine out of the pistol, but had failed to check to see if there was a round in the chamber. Fast and faster the younger son drew the weapon and on the last one he pulled the trigger. The Locketts will be forever haunted by that mistake.

I thought I would pass along what has been passed down to me about gun safety. Some of these you have heard.

1. A gun is always loaded. Treat a gun as if it was a laser that would kill anything that it ever was pointed at, even briefly.

2. Never give your gun to someone else before removing the magazine and clearing the chamber.

3. Leave the gun in it's open and cleared position before handing it to someone else.

4. A gun is not for children. It is .000001 second away from making an irreversible change to someone's life. Kids do not have the capacity to know that.

5. If you do have kids, train them well on how to handle a gun. Over and over again.

6. Never stand in front of a gun.

7. If your gun jams and you are not a professional, set it down and find a professional.

8. Keep your finger away from the trigger until you are ready to kill something.

9. Keep your gun in its holster until you are ready to kill something.

and finally...

1. A gun is always loaded. Treat a gun as if it was a laser that would kill anything that it ever was pointed at, even briefly.

I am truly sorry for the Locketts loss and the loss to our community. It could have been avoided and that is a sad fact.

If you do own a gun please learn how to use it. Not from a friend, not from a carry permit class. Seek out a professional and learn from them. If you need help finding a professional please contact me.