A group of Nebraska mothers met with lawmakers in Lincoln on Friday to raise awareness about how secure gun storage can help prevent accidental deaths, suicides, and theft.
Nebraska Moms Urge Lawmakers to Promote Secure Gun Storage
Nebraska currently does not have a law requiring unattended firearms to be stored in a specific way.
“We’re a Second Amendment country. We are a gun-owning state. But, if you are a responsible gun owner you should be keeping your guns secure,” volunteer Jen Fox told members of Moms Demand Action as they gathered at the Capitol.
According to a Johns Hopkins University study, firearms were the third leading cause of death among people under 18 over a four-year period. Guns are also used in more than 50% of suicides in Nebraska.
“Guns are stolen out of cars every nine minutes,” Amanda Feser said while speaking with Sen. Jane Raybould in the Capitol rotunda.
Omaha Sen. Merv Riepe said he believes more education is needed for gun owners.
“We just have to do probably more education. There’s so much stuff that you can legislate, but you can’t legislate everything,” he said. “…and we need more understanding because it’s too late when it happens to someone that you love and someone in your family.”
Fox addressed concerns from rural residents who worry about home protection due to longer 911 response times.
“There’s plenty of ways you can have access to your gun and also keep it secure,” she said.
The group said their goal was to raise awareness among lawmakers and, they hope, help make communities safer.
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