THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140267
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
A group of physicians' spouses is lobbying local pediatricians to include gun safety in talks to new and future parents about risks to children.
The program launched this week is designed to encourage the physicians to mention trigger locks to parents when counseling about household dangers, said Wendy Parker, a key organizer.
Parker said her group - the Norfolk Academy of Medicine Alliance - wants trigger locks mentioned in the same way pediatricians talk with parents about poisoning-prevention, car seats and bicycle helmets.
Each day, 14 children and teenagers are killed by guns nationwide. One of every six pediatricians has treated a child hurt by a gun, statistics show.
The Norfolk Academy of Medicine Alliance is teaming up with several national groups for the project.
The local organization, however, has added the trigger-lock promotion to the national gun-safety push named STOP, promoted by the American Academy of Pediatricians and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence.
A trigger lock is an inexpensive device that fits around a gun's trigger to prevent firing. Trigger locks typically cost less than $20.
``This is a gun-safety program,'' Parker said. ``This is not gun control.''
Parker said the conventional advice to gun-owning parents - store the firearm in one place and the ammunition elsewhere - is not always practical. When a trigger lock is used properly, a loaded firearm can't be discharged.
Parker said her organization's main goal is to distribute special kits to all local pediatricians and community health clinics to encourage gun-safety discussions between doctors and parents.
Parker said the Norfolk Academy of Medicine Alliance also wants to introduce the program into schools and civic leagues.
Parker said her organization is contacting trigger-lock makers and local stores to see if the locks can be sold to poor residents at cost, or distributed free.
The program has an impact on everyone, not just gun owners, Parker said.
``You may have a gun-safe house, or maybe you don't even own a gun, but what about the parents of your child's friends?'' Parker said. ``Do they have a gun in their house? Is it locked up?'' by CNB