Life is tough for many children in Mississippi. The state rates at or near the top in numerous categories including childhood poverty, childhood obesity and lack of access to health care.
Lately, some children in the state have faced another peril: getting shot.
During this month, at least three children in Mississippi have been the victims of fatal shootings.
On July 12, a 12-year-old boy in Columbus was killed when several children were playing with a rifle. A 5-year-old died July 1 in Jackson. Another child, also 5, died July 4 in Louisville.
There was a similar incident in Greenwood in June. A 6-year-old was severely injured when he was shot by a 5-year-old playmate who found a loaded gun under the couch.
Note the common element in all of these shootings: Every victim was shot by himself or another child while playing with a firearm.
But don’t put the blame on the children.
It’s up to adult gunowners to make certain guns are kept out of little hands. Yes, adults need to teach children to stay away from firearms unless they are supervised by an adult.
But at least — the very least — keep guns out of kids’ reach.
