Brian Carr Ph.D., a psychologist and member of the city of Lubbock Board of Health, said the recent accidental shooting death of a 5-year-old Lubbock boy is not uncommon and part of a bigger public health crisis.
“From the national statistics, about 11 children die everyday from unintentional gun violence and that’s why we want to explore this as a public health issue,” Dr. Carr said.
At a Central Lubbock home Tuesday night, Lubbock Police said a father was cleaning his rifle, unaware it was loaded. The rifle accidentally fired, police said the bullet went through a wall and hit his son in the chest.
Police said the five-year-old boy later died at the hospital.
“Deaths like this are so sad because with a child it’s not only the death , it’s the death of the dream of what might have been,” Dr. Carr said.
Dr. Carr said a more knowledgeable public on firearm safety will help to lessen these senseless shootings.
“We’re not touched by it until it happens in our community,” Dr. Carr said. “Until it happens in our family, to recognize to learn from these mistakes and to realize that we want to do what we can because these are entirely preventable.”
Dr. Carr said it’s not about taking guns away, but about proper handling.
He added that the proper care and storage of firearms are vital to protecting the people that we love, just like using a seatbelt.
