Gun Safety in Rural Areas

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  University of Texas at Tyler. Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
• Description:
  Guns are common in rural America. In fact, almost half of rural residents say they own a gun. Firearms are used for hunting, recreational shooting and for protecting rural workers from wild animals. Many times guns are sources of pride and nostalgia. They are passed down from generation to generation and cherished by their owners the same way someone might cherish a piece of heirloom jewelry. However, a piece of jewelry is not likely to end a life. Gun owners have to take precautions to ensure that their firearms do not end up in the wrong hands. Shootings are second only to car accidents in the causes of fatal injuries in rural areas. Furthermore, people who own firearms and experience extreme stress need to recognize that they are at high risk for suicide. According to the CDC, 51% of all suicides are carried out using a firearm. Not only are firearms involved in a high rate of fatal injuries, but they can also cause non-fatal injuries including hearing and eye damage. This is not a position article on whether or not people should own guns. Nor is it a political statement for gun reform. It is simply intended as a reminder for gun owners. If you own a firearm, it is your responsibility to protect your family and community from unintentional or intentional harm. Following these safety tips can help avoid tragedy. 1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction-away from people. 2. Unload firearms when not in use. Don't rely on your gun's 'safety.' 3. Clean and maintain guns regularly. 4. Be sure of your target AND what's beyond it. 5. Use the correct ammunition. 6. If the gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care! 7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting. 8. Keep firearms in a locked safe. 9. Talk to family members about gun safety. 10. Suicide gravely affects family left behind. Call the suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to talk to a trained professional. Ultimately, gun safety is in the hands of the owner and users. Teach children to respect firearms and model safe gun ownership. Gun safety saves lives. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Health Promotion Mortality Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Accident Prevention Fatalities Firearms Health Promotion Injury Prevention Safety Education
• Publisher:
  The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Newsletter
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 6 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058173
• Citation:
  Monthly Safety Blast. Tyler, TX: The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education, 2019 Aug; :website
• Email:
  agcenter@uthct.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  Monthly Safety Blast
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:af0fbcdaacf7b25f5f942b18f3ac813ff2380a756da140df15edb0b0b3ac253c00b611aa70900b8e18228a4c93ebc846b0d27cbc921cce62a5f5cb21be27f310
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221310/cdc_221310_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 363.02 KB ]