"In a single year, 3,012 children and teens were killed by gunfire in the United States, according to the latest national data released in 2002. That is one child every three hours; eight children every day; and more than 50 children every week. And every year, at least 4 to 5 times as many kids and teens suffer from non-fatal firearm injuries. (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics)."
Zaire Cameron, 2, is the latest in a long line of sad and unfortunate statistics. He gained access to his parents' gun and shot himself in the face by accident. The boy's father said he bought the gun to protect his family. Zaire's mother said that she normally takes the gun, when Zaire's father leaves the home, but this time, it was left in a dresser drawer.
Zaire's mother caught him touching the gun and punished him, and then proceeded to place the gun back inside the drawer. Later that afternoon, Zaire and two other children were watching a movie in the bedroom. That is when his parents heard the gunshot.
Iannelli recommends going out of your way to ensure that your child doesn't have access to any firearms in your home. Even if you believe your child knows better than to touch the gun, the truth is that children sometimes do things they aren't supposed to do. You should also make sure that your gun has a trigger lock and that your children do not have access to the key that can be used to unlock the trigger or the compartment used to store the gun. Finally, in case your children encounter a gun outside the home, make sure they know the four steps from theEddie Eagle Gun safety program:
1) Stop!
2) Don't touch
3) Leave the area
4) Tell an adult
Growing up with a father on the police force, I recall there being multiple guns in our house. My sister, brother and I knew not to touch the guns, but in hindsight, I wonder just how safe we were. This is not to question the parenting skills of the people who raised me, but the truth is that we can all do more when it comes to protecting our children. Little Zaire Cameron's death won't be in vain if someone hears his story and protects their own children just a little bit better. Please keep your own children safe.
01-June-2010 - In an effort to tackle the latest crisis, the horrendous BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast, Bill Maher thinks Obama needs to act more like a "real black president" and go in to the BP meetings flashing his gat.
25-May-2010 - Ex-police Lt. Jon Burge may have overseen the torture of and obtained coerced confessions from more than 100 African-American men over the course of a 22-year career.
27-May-2010 - CNN was a little embarrassed after accidentally playing a rap song with the N-word in it. The gaffe was part of a segment about a 103-year-old woman, Gladys Flamer, who still drives herself around and lives alone in Coatsville, Pa.
25-May-2010 - Mattel has launched a new line of Barbie dolls called "Back to Basics (pictured below)," which features several dolls, white and black, in (what I can only term) "after-5" wear: There are off-the-shoulder dresses, strapless minis and plunging necklines. The whole thing is absolutely freaky. It's like some odd soft porno featuring call-girl dolls.
24-May-2010 - The 21-year-old R&B sensation recently went on a Tweeting tirade against Atlanta-based celeb gossip blogger Sandra Rose. Reportedly, Brown resorted to attacking the blogger's complexion by using juvenile "you're so black" jokes.
23-May-2010 - If I'm blessed enough to live past my 10th decade on this planet, then 103-year-old Gladys Flamer is going to be my blueprint for how to behave after I pass the century mark.
The mom found the kid playing with the loaded gun, then put it right back where he found it?!? Still loaded?!?!? Hindsight is 20/20, but her foresight must be awfully blurry.
Clearly the mom didn't place the same value on the life of her child that most of us would expect.
The father made a mistake by leaving it where it could be easily accessed by the children. The mother made an even bigger one by returning the firearm to its original location.
Everyone knows that a trigger lock won't save your life in a home invasion, nor will a gun safe when seconds count. The Eddie Eagle gun safety rules are great, but in reality children need to be repeatedly educated as to the seriousness of such a tool. Additionally, it should not be within reach or sight of children.
I feel sorry for this family, but unfortunately I see it as their own negligence.
The story does not sit right with me because who in their right mind would put a loaded cocked gun in the dresser draw in the room where your children are playing. And how did he pull the trigger? At two years old I know it had to be hard for him to pull that trigger all alone. somebody wanted that baby dead.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (5)
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By: paul on 6/08/2010 3:45PM
The mom found the kid playing with the loaded gun, then put it right back where he found it?!? Still loaded?!?!? Hindsight is 20/20, but her foresight must be awfully blurry.
Clearly the mom didn't place the same value on the life of her child that most of us would expect.
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By: No1'sname on 9/18/2010 5:00PM
Accident? This was no accident it needs to be treated as foul play!
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By: Steve on 6/08/2010 4:31PM
The father made a mistake by leaving it where it could be easily accessed by the children. The mother made an even bigger one by returning the firearm to its original location.
Everyone knows that a trigger lock won't save your life in a home invasion, nor will a gun safe when seconds count. The Eddie Eagle gun safety rules are great, but in reality children need to be repeatedly educated as to the seriousness of such a tool. Additionally, it should not be within reach or sight of children.
I feel sorry for this family, but unfortunately I see it as their own negligence.
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By: Eva C. Burgess on 6/09/2010 6:57PM
A child has access to weapons.....Unbelievable. Parents should be executed......
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By: Mayo on 9/22/2011 10:07AM
The story does not sit right with me because who in their right mind would put a loaded cocked gun in the dresser draw in the room where your children are playing. And how did he pull the trigger? At two years old I know it had to be hard for him to pull that trigger all alone. somebody wanted that baby dead.
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