Firearm Educators Speak On Importance Of Safe Gun Storage

Firearm educators are sounding the alarm on the importance of safe gun storage after two students were found with guns at different schools in Oklahoma on Monday.

Experts say all gun owners need proper education and training to prevent unintentional injury or death. That includes how to use a gun and how to make sure it's stored where no one else can get to it.

Police say guns are making their way into schools by children who shouldn't have access to them.

Firearm instructors say, in most cases, it comes down to improper storage that's making it easy for kids to get ahold of them.

“You just have to make it inaccessible to unauthorized people as much as you possibly can,” Firearms Instructor Marshall Luton said.

Luton is the founder of Defensive Shooting Academy and provides firearm training to military, law enforcement, and civilians.

He says from his experience as a police officer, the lack of proper storage is how guns end up in the wrong hands, including those of children.

“Everyday somebody will break into a car. They're looking for one of three things. They're looking for firearms. They're looking for money and they're looking for drugs. Don't be stupid. Don't leave any of that in your car,” Luton said.

He says addressing curiosity and instilling a sense of responsibility should be a discussion with kids so they know what to do if they ever do find a gun.

“If you're a child, I would say go get an adult but don't pick it up. Don't bring it to them. Just leave it right where it's at,” Luton said.

Firearm Instructor Dan'niel McKnight is the founder of American Firearm Training and says training on the range is just as important as education in the classroom. She recommends biometric safes she says cost a few hundred dollars, but that’s money that could save a life.

"How much is your life worth? Do you want to spend the rest of your life in jail because somebody had access to your firearm and had an accident with it,” McKnight asked.

Both McKnight and Luton offer classes to teach families about gun safety hoping to prevent tragedy.

“I can't imagine trying to live with myself knowing that I was the one irresponsible with a lethal weapon that I let a child get their hands on or even an untrained adult,” Luton said.