Opinion: Utah Kid’s Death Is A Wake-Up Call For Idaho Gun Owners

A recent tragedy in Utah involving a young boy in a car with a loaded gun should be a wake-up call for firearm owners across the United States. Many kids in this age group can't grasp how lethal guns are or haven't been properly taught about the dangers of firearms, and it's the parent's responsibility to carry out these discussions so these types of horrible accidents don't happen.

Some of you might be unaware that an 8-year-old Utah boy got access to a loaded firearm under a seat in the car he was waiting in and fatally shot himself Monday. The tragedy happened outside a convenience store when an adult left the child in the car, according to details shared by cbsnews.com. This is an unimaginable loss for the family and a heartbreaking reality.

 I've made a habit of only carrying my gun in my truck when I go camping, and my bullets are stored in a separate location from my firearm and well out of the reach of my nine-year-old.

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Laws regarding carrying firearms in automobiles vary across the U.S. In Utah, guns don't have to be stored in a locked box in the rear of a vehicle like they do in California. Car break-ins are one of the reasons firearms get into the hands of criminals and felons, which result in more injuries and fatalities. Locking up firearms in vehicles will prevent young children from harming themselves.

Unintentional weapons injury is a top five leading cause of death among infants in the U.S., according to cdc.gov. These fatalities are completely preventable. I've made a habit of only carrying my gun in my truck when I go camping, and my bullets are stored in a separate location from my firearm and well out of the reach of my nine-year-old.

We all need to make sure children are safe around firearms.