Sheriff's Corner: Gun Safety Is As Important As Gun Control

This is a follow up on my Sheriff’s Corner about gun control. First, thank you to all the people who thanked me for the article and my stance.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t address firearms safety and use. Tragic accidents happen and it is so important to be careful with firearms. Many years ago when I was Scout I was asked to be a pallbearer for a boy in my troop. He was visiting his father and as it was common at his father’s house to look at the guns, a fascination that many children have, his father removed a shotgun from the gun cabinet and handed it to the scout’s younger brother. The younger brother swung the weapon around and pulled the trigger, shooting his brother to death. I’ll never forget how sad it was to see his parents and brother at the funeral. If I can prevent that I will “do my best”.

The first rule of gun safety is to never assume the weapon is empty. As a former firearms instructor I would always tell students to think of the weapon, loaded or not, as a laser that will cut anything in half that it points at. Further, know what a safe direction is…most high caliber rifles will go though exterior walls and almost any caliber will go through interior walls. So be mindful if anyone on the other side of a wall, ceiling or floor. A safe direction is one that has no possible chance of injuring anyone and minimal damage if there is an accidental discharge. If you have children in the house make sure the weapon is stored unloaded and locked up. We have gun locks at the Sheriff’s Office that I will be more than willing to give you, no charge.

Another question comes up about when you can defend yourself. I’m not an attorney but I can give you a little insight. The law affords you some legal defense if you are put into a use of deadly force situation…but it’s a defense, it doesn’t mean you won’t get arrested and possibly charged. In Nebraska you have to avoid the confrontation and seek an avenue of escape. The use of deadly force is always a matter of last resort to defend yourself or others. If you are ever put into that terrible situation and have to use deadly force, before the police arrive make sure you have laid the firearm down and keep your hands in plain view, if not up.

I decided that just writing about my feelings on gun control, the Second Amendment and gun safety isn’t enough. In late February we’ll hold a firearms safety and defense class. This is not a CCW or Hunter’s Safety Course; it’s going to cover home and personal defense, firearms familiarity and what everyone should know about safely own a firearm. The class will be free to Kimball County residents but size will be limited. I request you call the Sheriff’s Office, (308) 235-3615, to be put on a list of people interested in the class. Further, I hope to hold other firearms classes on other topics in the future.

Again, thank you for your support of your Constitutional rights and as always be safe.